“Nope. You didn’t hear anything,” Ava said.
Thorne met eyes with Quinn and she casually rose from her seat and approached him. They stared at each other for a moment before he pulled her into an embrace, murmuring something in her ear Ava couldn’t hear. But the way they had looked at each other spoke volumes.
After greeting Quinn, Thorne took his seat at the head ofthe table and scanned the group. “You all look terrible. What happened?”
Thorne tappedhis two fingers together, the only sign he was stressed. “His brethren trapped and punished him…What does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” said Casimir. “But it sounded like he was using her for his own purposes. Then killed her because she was no longer needed.”
“With their queen now gone,” Thorne mused, “do you think there’s a possibility the daemons will no longer follow Andras?”
Casimir shook his head. “I doubt we’d be that lucky. As long as Andras continues to promise them whatever they desire, I’m certain they will continue as they have been. Who knows what lies he’s crafted to explain her disappearance.”
“Jorrar, what do you know about our father and this supposed friendship with Orion and the others?” Thorne asked.
“Not much. I was an advisor to your father, but he rarely listened to me and the others. He was a secretive man. Prior to Deidamia and Andras arriving in our world, he was fairly close to Orion, Valeria and Eros. He’d often take trips to Frosthaven and be gone for weeks. But I do remember him acting strange around the time our enemies appeared.”
Thorne swirled the wine in his goblet. “He had been that way ever since I can remember…often rambling and pacing. Mother protected me from most of it, keeping us separate as much as possible.”
“Why were they so close?” Quinn asked.
“They all had similar views on hybrids,” said Jorrar.
Casimir tensed. Ava pulled his hand into her lap, squeezingit gently. Jorrar’s statement confirmed what Valeria had said when they ran into her near Frosthaven.
“What’s the problem with hybrids?” Ava asked.
“Many years ago, some of the fae believed the separate kingdoms shouldn’t have children with each other. It was initially an attempt to maintain stronger bloodlines, especially among royalty. The theory was if a child was born of two kingdoms, their strength would be split into both abilities.”
Ava ran a finger along the edge of the table. “Meaning they weren’t as powerful in one specific magic?”
“Basically,” Thorne said. “But it isn’t quite accurate. Some hybrids are not as strong in a single ability, and yet others are…there is no rhyme or reason to it. Honestly, I think most of it has to do with some people just believing their kingdom or magic is better than others.”
Ava took a sip of wine. “Not that different from the human world,” she muttered.
Jorrar set down his fork and gave her a warm look. “Most worlds likely have their own similar stories. From what I recall, Valeria and Eros were the most adamant about it. I do remember overhearing Vardan once stating if interbreeding didn’t cease, there would eventually be no fae left with only one ability. Powers would weaken and so forth.”
“It’s not like that here at all now,” Ava said.
“That’s because I’ve been undoing that prejudice for decades,” said Thorne.
Ava admired her brother. He was a fantastic king, a good man, and truly cared about his people. “How old were you when you became king?”
“I was in my mid-twenties.”
“Which is very young in our world to rule,” said Jorrar. “But he quickly proved himself to be a far better ruler than your father.”
Thorne smiled and gave Jorrar a nod. “The four of you willgo to Caelestia as soon as Ava’s leg is healed. Jorrar, I will write a letter informing Orion of your arrival. I am not asking his permission and expect all of you to be welcomed immediately. Will you send Percy to deliver it?”
“Of course.”
Thorne scanned the group. “You have three tasks to complete while you’re there. Get the end of the book translated, gather information, and convince them to join us.”
“Will they?” Quinn asked.
“I don’t know, but Casimir”—Thorne gave him a stern look—“you must be on your best behavior. Set your hatred for your brother aside and control your temper.”
20
