“I did too,” Rennick replied grimly. “But they never truly go away.”
Amos nodded. Each kingdom had dealt with rebels since the beginning of time.
Amelia dropped her legs and patted Rennick’s shoulder until he reluctantly let her down. “Why does he know my name?”
Rennick sighed. “We’ll explain everything soon, love.” His attention snagged on Eddy sitting at Amos’s feet. “Where is his coat?”
Amos rolled his eyes, secretly pleased that Roland must have removed it for his benefit.
“I’ll put it on him when we get back to the room,” Amelia promised.
Amos stepped slightly in front of Roland. “That won’t be necessary. He’ll be going home with me.”
Roland whined and Amelia bristled. “You can’t steal my fox.”
“I can stay,”Roland added.“I don’t mind.”
“You don’t want to go back with me?”Amos couldn’t deny that hurt.
“He is myfamiliar,” Amos told his sister quietly. “It’s been difficult being away from him for the last ten years, and he isn’t made for the cold.”
“That’s not what I meant,”Roland replied.“She’s going through a transition. And since when do you care if I’m cold?”
Amos was going through a transition too, but he said nothing. If he wanted to stay, he could stay.
Amelia looked at Rennick, and his expression confirmed Amos’ claim. The realization contorted her face into one of shock and hurt.
Rennick noticed and moved in front of her, pinning Amos with a glare. “I will kill you if you don’t let her keep him.”
Amos’ face darkened. He’d like to see Rennick try. Rennick might be a respected warrior, but Amos’ skills were forged in hate and pain.
Amelia lightly smacked Rennick’s side. “Stop threatening to kill people. You’ve explainedfamiliarsto me, and I understand how important they are to their owners.” Reyna growled low at Amelia’s words, and Charlie growled back at the snow leopard. Amos hadn’t noticed the snowy lynx, and looked at its protective stance.Interesting.
“Or whatever you are to them,” Amelia amended. Amos tried not to laugh. Referring to a royal as afamiliar’sowner was a quick way to annoy them.
“Can I visit him?” she asked Amos.
Amos saw the tears she fought, and it made him feel like shit. But he’d given up so much for everyone else. Why was he being made to feel guilty for wanting something he shouldn’t have been forced to give up in the first place?
Roland must have sensed something was wrong, because he yipped.“I would never abandon you, Amos.”
Amos scooped up the fox, secretly relieved, and smiled at his sister. “As often as you’d like.”
26
Rennick offered Amos a seat in front of his desk and positioned two chairs for he and Amelia on the other side. Amos unhooked his sword and leaned it against the desk. It was too awkward to sit with it strapped to his body.
Amelia lowered herself into the chair and clasped her hands in her lap. “Explain.”She might be sweet, but she definitely has Desert blood in her,Amos thought wryly.
He drew in a deep breath, hoping she took it well. Or as well as anyone could. “There’s no easy way to say this, but you’re my sister and second in line to the Desert Kingdom throne.”
Amos waited with bated breath, and nearly choked when Amelia burst out laughing. “Very funny.”
“It’s true, love,” Rennick said softly.
Amelia’s laughter died down, and she motioned to Amos. “He’s fae.” She pushed her hair behind her ear and pointed to it. “I’m a human.”
How did you tell someone their ears had been cut as a baby? “Your ears were clipped when you were born to hide your heritage,” Amos explained, his voice carefully measured.
