Leading from that, I recalled howI’dbeen forced to take elixirs each day of my life, and what we had discovered they were suppressing in not only me—but in Dimitri, too.
I told them about how what I had known all my life had been uprooted so quickly after that first timeI’dmet Teagan, and the love that had blossomed because of it. Not just with Byn, but with each member of theValwain, in one way or another.
I explained, from my perspective, what had happened sinceI’darrived in the South. Discoveringallofmyzirilium, Aurora showing up, the battle that followed, and what I did during said battle.
I ended it all by summarizing what had happened since the battle, including the scouting missions. I made sure to refrain from telling them exactly what we had found during our time sneaking around in the North lately, and when Matea and I shared a look as I spoke, I knew she was gratefulI’ddone so. I assumed shedidn’twant toworrythem even more than theylikely alreadywere.
“That’s as simple as I can make it, I think,” I finished. Our stomachs were all full at thispoint, and Iwasn’tsureI’dever enjoyed food before the way I had tonight.
“That is…” Lady Billie trailed off.
“A lot to digest,” Lord Geoff finished for his wife, the double meaning not lost on me after such a satisfying meal. Lady Billie cast her husband an appreciative look, their gazes full of love for each other.
“I know this is more than you asked for,and I apologize.I just—”
“Aviva,” Lady Billie interrupted, though her voice was soft and steady as she spoke. “You forget—our family has servedtheThorntierline for generations. We are accustomed to war andlossand tragedy. We are just sorry that all of this has happened toyou. And in sucha short periodof time, too!”
I dipped my head slightly so they couldn’t see me blinking back the stray tear attempting to make its escape.
“So…” Matea cleared her throat. “What’s next for us, Viva?”
I lifted my gaze to look her way. “Us?”
“I’ve gone this far. I’m with you ’til the Stars fall from the sky,sister.” Matea smiled slightly, her hesitation obvious, but it was apparent that she was trying.
My chest ached with gratitude for her.
Sitting straighter in my chair, I carried on. “Right. Well, we plan to seek allies next.”
Lord Geoff’s eyebrows furrowed. “What allies?”
“The Ocrein Isles.”
His eyebrows shot up, and I watched as he and Lady Billie shared a look of genuine concern.
“Are you all sure that’s the best idea?” Lady Billie asked.
“It’s our only option, I can assure you,” I responded.
“The Isleshaven’tbeen out of this war forvery long, in the grand scheme of things. They may not want to be looped back intoall ofthis so soon, if ever again,” Lord Geoff warned gently.
“We know, Pops.” Matea nodded.
“Trust me, if you’d seen what we’ve seen”—I glanced at Matea as I spoke—“you’d understand whyit’snecessary.We’veweighed our options, and this is the best path forward. Plus, we have theOcreinheir on our side—as well as one of their princesses.”
When the two older faestilldidn’t look completely convinced, I added quietly, “We’ve got this. I promise.”
Lady Billie slowly released a breath she seemed to have been holding in, then looked towards her husband. A silent sort of understanding seemed to pass between them before she focused back on meand nodded.
“We trust you. Not only as our queen, but as our granddaughter… ifyou’llallow us the honor, that is.”
My heart raced at the thought.I’donly ever known Dimitri and Father as my family, yet in such a short amount of time,I’dlost a father and gained a sister. Now I was to gain a set of grandparents, too?
It was almost overwhelming, the thought of allowing theAshfordsofficially into my life. There was already so much riding on me and theValwainwhen it came to the war—would the offer before me only add unnecessary weight?
Though I knew deep down if Ididn’tlet them in,I’dend up regretting it. At the end of the day,theywere a connectiontomy mother that Ihadn’thad before. Aside from that, I had a feelingthey’dprove wise to have around.
“It’d bemyhonor, Lady Billie,” I assured her.
