“Orus and Genevieve were Robyn’s parents, but also mine—at least in every way that counted.You’reright, I was orphaned. At the ripe age of three,as a matter of fact. I can’t remember thefaewho created me, and I likely will never get to know them.It’ssomethingI’vecome to accept. But because The Haven sometimes takes in orphans in exchange for some sort of service, I had somewhere to livebesides onthe streets.I was too young at three to be of much help, though, so I would often end up wandering the castle, since those who were in charge of me often had many tasks to handle at once.Usually one of the older kids, Finn, would watch over me as Iroamed. One day, I ran into Queen Genevieve and Robyn. Like a moth to a torch, I was drawn to them—and them to me. Finn says Genevieve scooped me up and carried on with her tasks, simply claiming me from that moment on.” He smiled as he spoke, the love in his voice and expression strong.
“But… you’re not a prince,” I pointed out.
He shook his head. “Orusdidn’tmind me beingaround, ifit made his wife happy.She’dalways wanted a big family, and this was long before Margo was born. But formal adoptionhadn’tbeen done in theThorntierline before. If something had happened to Robyn, Teagan, and Margo, then the kingdom would’ve had me as its last heir—but becauseI’mnotThorntierblood, and Ipossessnozirilium,Orusand Genevieve’s advisors forbade it. They had no choice but to stop their pursuits, but I wasstill raised as close to them as I could be. I took classes with Robyn and sometimes evenTeagan, andjoined them for mealsand onfamily outings. Genevieve and I were as close asa parentand son could be. She gave me the family Ihadn’trealized at sucha young ageI’dbeen missing, and the brother and sisters Iwouldn’ttrade for the world.”
He looked at my shocked expression, then gently added, “They would’ve loved you, you know.”
I smiled sadly. “I wishI’dgotten to meet them. They sound lovely.”
Ezra opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, aValwainmember knocked on the door.
I looked toward the far window, then cursed as I realized I was going to be latetodinner.
“Stars,” I whispered. Before I could even consider leaving without saying goodbye, Ezra pulled me into a fierce hug.
“Thank you,” he pulled back to meet my eyes as he added, “my sister.”
I smiled, honored to hold such a title to him.
“I’ll see you soon.” I headed for the door, calling out over my shoulder, “Don’tworry about Quinn, by the way.We’llhandle it.”
Ezradidn’trespond, but I could hear papers rustling—like he was already immersing himself inside the books and maps again.
On the other side of the door stood Rayven, whoimmediatelyasked, “It’s done?”
I nodded once.
“Quinn has a late night tonight, but I hopeyou’reready to deal with her.She’sgoing to be furious,” he advised, rubbing his stubbled jawline.
Brushing off his concerns and telling him not to worry, I slid past him into the corridor.
Rayven shot me a skepticallook, butshook his head and sighed. “You should hurry up. The sun will dip below the horizon any minute now.”
“Sostop distracting me!” I stuck my tongue out playfully over my shoulder, then broke out into a run.
As I ran down the long hallway, I could hear Rayven’s soft chuckle in myears, andcouldn’thelp butsmilemyself. Despite the backlash I wassurewould come, I felt a little lighter. It was nice to have Ezra back—and nice to know that Rayven would stand with me, no matter what, so long as I was doing what I believed was right.
Most times, Ididn’tfeel as though I completely fit in when I was in the South, and Ihadn’texactly belonged in the North, either. ButI’dfound that when I was with theValwain, when we were supporting and caring for each other the best we could,maybe thatwas the feeling of belongingI’dbeenseekingafter all.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The warmth of the sun-soaked wooden railing of the balcony seeped through my clothing and into my skin as I sat. I’d watched as the sun had made its descent in the sky, the moon taking far too long to arrive in its place.
Though my hatred for what the sun represented to me persisted throughout my life and into adulthood, Icouldn’tsee the moon as an escape as I once had. Now, it reminded me of the promiseI’dmade to whoI’dthought was my better half, all those months ago.
I’dpromised Aviva that so long as we were both looking at the moon at night,we’dbe connected through it. Thatshe’dnever truly be alone because of it.
How foolish of me,I chastised myself.
I could hear the last of the servants behind me placing the final few dinner dishes on the solid onyx table.
Tonight, I had a purpose.
As the sun kissed the horizon, I realized it was almost time.
This evening, I wanted to see the extent of my new Right Hand’s training. Her calluses gave her away as not beingnobility, butwere they from manual labor or something more interesting?
It was up to me to find out.
