Thinking back on our theories during the last roundtable in the castle, I pressed on. “The key isn’t him or his cult. It’s his son.”
Briar tensed. “The heir is a male?”
I nodded. “Rhys never revealed much else. But he did reveal that hidden gem.”
After a moment, the jester tapped his sculpted chin. “’Tis a start.”
Absently, we drew into a huddle. Another silence followed.
The princess’s gaze relaxed another notch. “Your supporters have made a strong case in your favor, not least of all Nicu.”
“He found your note,” I ventured. “As if it had been waiting for him.”
Briar’s eyes trembled. “He told us.” Then she drew herself up while Poet slipped his arm around her midriff. “We need time to consider everything.”
Understood. “What do Jeryn and Flare say?”
“Flare agrees,” Poet murmured. “I couldn’t give less of a fuck what Jeryn thinks. However, my wife does. And I tend to do what she commands.”
“You had better,” Briar remarked.
Humorless chuckles escaped us. Quickly, the sounds petered out.
The Winter King and his mate had been visiting for Reaper’s Fest, so their extended stay in Autumn came at a vital time. In any case, Jeryn had trusted advisors governing Winter until he returned with Flare.
Glimpsing the ropes binding my wrist, a chink appeared in Poet’s veneer. “We would loosen Flare’s knots, if you weren’t such an apt fighter.”
I flinched. “I would never—
“We know you wouldn’t, Aspen,” Briar assured. “At least, we do now.”
But I was still on trial. And protocol came first until the clan unanimously agreed to release me.
Ifthey agreed.
Then I realized. Briar had called me Aspen.
Not once since they arrived had either of them said my name. My shell broke open, and whatever they saw on my face dismantled their facade. Briar shuffled forward and cupped my face, Poet bowed his head to mine, and the three of us breathed in the same air.
The jester and princess, who pulled me out of that nightmare with the Masters.
The jester and princess, who had known me the longest, who adopted me into their family, who had asked for my real name from the start.
The jester and princess, who I hurt, who I betrayed, and who I would die to protect.
A whisper fell off my tongue. “I’m sorry.”
Briar set the acorn in my palm and whispered back, “We know that too.”
She draped the cloak over me, then Poet offered a sober wink, and they slipped through the door.
After devouring the tray’s contents, I curled up on the floor. I must have passed out, because the next thing I knew, the hinges screeched again. Ripped from dreams, I scrambled to my feet as a larger form stepped into the chamber.
Murmurs passed between two people. Then the door shut, locking the figure inside with me.
Confused, I opened my mouth. Except as the male turned and swept the hood from his face, a gasp flew off my lips. “Aire.”
54
