Page 140

“Obviously you never found one.”

“No, but I learned a lot about magic, so I thought these might help you learn the things your mother never got the chance to teach you.”

I remember his expression vividly when I asked him whose fault it was that my sister and I grew up without a mother to teach us about our world. His guilt was obvious, because he can never give back what was taken from me, but these little pieces of her are all that’s left, and he wanted me to have them.

Tears sting the backs of my eyes as I clutch one of her books to my chest. “Did you know my mother well?” I ask, finally looking up at him.

“Very. She was one of the smartest women I knew.”

“And my father? Did you know him?” My mother never spoke of my father, when I would ask, she always got this haunted look on her face. Her eyes would turn glassy, and she would change the subject.

Kylian looks away and swallows. “Yes, I knew him too.”

“Do you know what happened to him?”

Kylian moves toward the shelves, giving me his back.

“Please,” I ask, desperate for any information. “Was he like my mother, was he a mage too?”

Kylian shakes his head. “No, your father was human. His name was Ephraim.”

“Ephraim?” I choke as tears well in my eyes. It is more than my mother ever gave me, like mentioning him was far too painful. She guarded his name like it was sacred.

“She never told you his name?” Kylian asks.

“She never spoke of him.” I blink back tears. “Was he good to her?”

“He worshipped your mother.”

I nod slowly, and he tilts his head, watching me. “He didn’t die nicely, little mage. I’d rather spare you those details.”

I hastily swipe my eyes. I’m not sure I want those details yet, but there is one question I need to know. “Was it you who killed him?”

Kylian looks away again, back to the shelves. “No. It was my father. He was punishing your mother when she refused to help in the wars he started.”

A lump forms in my throat, unsure what to say or how to feel about that.

“I believe that was why she fled.” He pauses and moves in behind me. “My father wasn’t a good man or king.” His arms wrap around my waist. “But I promise you, little mage, I am not my father. All I want is to love and worship you.”

I tilt my head to the side and look up at him from over my shoulder. “So long as you don’t end up like him.”

“That I can promise.” He leans down to capture my lips when someone clears their throat. The sound makes me jump in his arms, and Kylian’s head turns to the door.

“Sorry to intrude,” Eagan says. “But Garret needs to speak with you. There has been an issue with the intruders in the cells.”

Kylian growls menacingly before pressing his lips to my forehead, but my mind is on Eagan’s words.

The cells.

“Eagan will escort you back to our room, but you may come here as much as you like.” Kylian releases me and moves toward the door.

The question is on the tip of my tongue. Can I come with you?

I just need to see if he’s there, if he’s alive. But I can’t get the words to form.

Eagan steps out of Kylian’s way, watching me carefully. Too carefully.

I don’t know how, but I think he knows about Arlo.