“We should get a few hours of sleep before we leave in the morning,” Keir whispered angrily. “And why would we care who’s in the temple this time of night, Daimon?”
Evelina froze at his name, still undetected from where she crouched.
“Don’t you want to know why the door was left open?” Daimon whispered. “Whoever opened it didn’t use the front entrance for a reason—they didn’t want others to know.” His voice was tense.
“And maybe they don’t want others to know for areason,” Keir muttered. Their voices were getting closer. “If a Manor is here,then there’s a reason.”
Evelina curled into herself, hoping they wouldn’t investigate any further.
“We need to be rested for the flight. Let’s just—” Keir’s voice cut off.
Evelina stared down at two pairs of boots. She looked up reluctantly, and twoverylarge fae stared down at her.
Keir let out a long, frustrated breath and said, “Should’ve known it was you.”
“What are you two doing here?” Evelina whispered. Her stomach bottomed out as she looked at Keir andonlyKeir. She hoped they couldn’t hear her heart as it pounded in her chest.
“We could ask you the same thing,” Keir huffed.
Evelina narrowed her eyes, not wanting to give up Annora and Aldric. But then the unmistakable voice of the Sacred filtered from the other side of the wall.
“A final bonding beneath the equinox moon,” the Sacred began.
Daimon and Keir shuffled closer to the wall.
“Who is it?” Daimon asked softly, and turned his head until his gaze found hers.
Her breath caught as she realized how close they were standing. Everything she had wanted to say to him for twenty years sat on the tip of her tongue. To ask why he never came back, to yell at him or tell him how much he had hurt her.
Instead, she dropped her gaze and said, “Annora and Aldric.”
Daimon and Keir exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Keir made a face, seemingly conveying something, and Daimon shook his head, his eyes flashing with anger.
Keir had bonded with his wyvern early in the war and joined the Alpha Fleet not long after. She didn’t know how he managed to be the Aegis council headandon the fleet, but he did come back to the palace often. Daimon did not.
“Are you really all having fun without me?” a light voice said.
Evelina held back a grimace as one of her sisters popped up in the tunnel. She didn’t even hear her approach, though that wasn’t much of a surprise. Lyria had always had the stealth to sneak about more than the others—especially if she was trying to remain hidden.
“Lyria, go home,” Evelina whispered. While Lyria was years older than Evelina, she always acted younger than her.
“Make me, Evie,” Lyria said, sticking her tongue out. “Don’t be such a downer.”
Evelina sighed and turned away. Lyria always had a grin on her face and her wide, brown eyes were soft and inviting. Evelina would never understand her desire to be the center of attention, but she still had more in common with Lyria than any of her other siblings. Their eldest sister, Carwyn, was the strong and confident leader—but she was next in line for the throne, so it came with the territory—and Ren was the glue that held them all together.
“You can’t tell Carwyn we came here.” Evelina spoke quietly, but her words were firm as she turned to eye Lyria.
Lyria gasped. “I wouldn’t do that. Now, who is it?”
Daimon rolled his eyes and Keir held back a smile. Everyone knew that Lyria couldn’t keep a secret. If the saying wasLoose lips sink ships, then she could sink a whole fleet. But even when they all bickered and got on each other’s nerves, they were there for each other. Always.
“Annora and Aldric,” Evelina repeated. She was beginning to grow restless.
Lyria’s eyes grew wide and a grin split across her face. She opened her mouth as excitement danced in her eyes. Evelina lunged forward and slapped her hand over Lyria’s mouth before she had the chance to speak.
“Isaidto keep your voice down,” Evelina hissed, knowing her sister was about to speak far too loudly. She never had been able to control her eagerness. “This is likely their only chance.”
Lyria muttered something unintelligible beneath Evelina’s hand. Evelina slowly removed her hand and gave her a pointed look.
