“He dies,” I breathed, surprised that I meant it.
“At least there’s one thing we can all agree on,” Caius chimed in, turning to face us. “Let’s have a seat. Apparently there is much to discuss.” He indicated the sitting room of his study, where I’d accidentally valenned us to from the Autumn Court.
Seated on three of the four chairs set around a circular table to the right of the rug I’d tripped on, I sat forward on the deep-set cushion of my seat, keeping both feet firmly planted on the marbled floor.
Caius and Endymion were more taut than our first attempt at this conversation as they took their seats.
“Shelving the matter of trust,” the High Lord said, cutting a glance to Endymion, “start from the beginning.”
Resisting the urge to fist fabric or cross any part of my body to protect myself from their reaction over what I was about to disclose, I sat up straight, stiffened my spine, and held my chin up to show them the respect they deserved for this particular truth. “The Great Curse,” I began, “was a spell spun by Thaddeus’ father.” I paused to let the information set in, and as understanding dawned, the hairs on my arms slowly stood to attention as the magic in the air became charged. “Thaddeus’ full name is Thaddeus Artemis Alton?—”
“The Third,” Caius finished.
“Yes.”
“Meaning he’s the same age as me and older than Caius,” Endymion said.
“Actually, he’s older than both of you. He was ten when the curse struck and was the one who cast the veil over our realm.”
“How?” they asked in unison.
“The veil? He’s not entirely sure. His father told him to cast it once he was safe—he had no idea what it did.” I took in a deep breath before continuing. “As for his immortality, that’s more complicated. In the simplest terms, he believed there were two things he needed to protect humankind from thefae indefinitely—immortality”—I raised a finger—"and the spark." I raised another. “The latter, me, he found from an enchanted map, which eventually showed my location to him on my twenty-first birthday. I came back to the cabin to find my parents dead, the twins missing, and an offer of his protection. The former he obtained in his early twenties, but not without its costs?—”
“The life-link,” Caius interjected.
I nodded. “The spell stole the lives of his men to grant it to him. Once he realized the toll, he managed to save Tarrin and Nevander by tethering them to him—but they never knew how bound the three of them were until later.”
“So, they’re immortal too?” Endymion asked.
“As far as they know, yes. But, when Thaddeus attacked us, my magic somehow severed Tarrin’s bond to him, so I’m not entirely sure if that still holds true.”
“He did what?” Caius snapped.
Surprised, I looked to Endymion. “You didn’t tell him?”
He shook his head. “It’s not my story to tell.”
Despite myself, something in me softened at his admission, at how he chose my privacy over divulging every piece of information he’d garnered from me to their advantage.
Caius’ focus whipped to Endymion. “What isn’t?”
I gestured to Endymion in anall yoursmotion. His eyes narrowed on me as if to say,how generous of you. Sitting back in my seat a little further, I watched.
He dragged his focus from mine. “Her magic pulled me into a memory nightmare of Thaddeus claiming her powers as his own.”
Caius blanched, his focus now on me. “Is that possible?”
I looked to Endymion, uncertain.
“It’s Wymond and Thaddeus’ prevailing theory, but I don’t think it’s that simple,” Endymion offered.
“That’s what spurred your magic the other night.” Caius guessed. “You had a nightmare about both of them, didn’t you?”
I nodded; he’d been there when I’d been calling out while he tried to wake me.
“Is she a dyad?” Caius asked, brows raised.
“No, I don’t think so. It’s only with me.”
