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Revel reached for my hand again. “I’m sorry, Whisper, if I sounded ungrateful. It’s just that now the dragons and Norvale are in danger. The Regnas and Solamites will do everything they can to destroy the lion’s bane and the Z-drakes.”

“I know having Kya pick you up and then bringing you here to Mom’s hideaway, not to mention flying off when I was supposed to go home with the victor, Prince Granier, set off a spark that will no doubt lead to a wildfire. It was all worth it. I couldn’t lose you.”

Revel lifted his arm, so I could curl up against him. It felt so right being there, next to him, in his protective embrace. How could I ever go off to marry another man? The gods of fate were all wrong. This was the man I was fated to. He wasn’t a prince and didn’t live in a castle or have hordes of servants. People called him vamp trash and warrior, but to me, he was Revel, the man who owned every fiber of my body, heart and soul.

Forty

It had only taken one more day for Revel to feel well enough to stand and walk around. He was definitely not his tough warrior self, but he was getting there. Mom, too, was up and about, also not herself but getting there. The three of us talked and laughed and enjoyed each other’s company, all the while ignoring the obvious. Everything past my mom’s remote cabin had changed. The Solamites and Regnas knew that the Valian dragon fleet was back, and coupled with their Valian warriors, they would be a force to reckon with. Mom’s hiding spot was in peril, and Prince Granier would certainly have his henchmen out looking for his runaway bride. Prince Fenrick most assuredly had his pack of beasts out, too, since Revel and I had cost him his throne. His father was still ruler of Regnamoor, but he was in poor health. Upon his death, the throne would pass to an entirely new ruler, and Fenrick would hold no power.

We knew plenty of shadows hung over us, but for the time being, we pretended they weren’t there. For the brief moment, I pushed all the double-fated crap and arrogant prince shit out of my head to enjoy my time with Mom and Revel.

I carried some fresh tea into the front room. Revel was relaying the story about my plan to kill the Krakatow.

“I thought she’d lost her pretty little mind. I was sure she was thinking she’d just stand on the bridge and scoop the fish up with a net as they swam past,” Revel said.

I lifted a brow as I handed him his drink. “My pretty little mind?” I asked.

“Trust me, I never thought your mind was little, and hell’s fire, if you don’t prove that every day.” Revel turned back to my mom. “All those years of trying to build a long barrier down by the coast only to have the tide just roll up and over, carrying its dangerous cargo with it. And in one quick moment, Whisper had solved the whole problem, and it didn’t take more than an hour to put in place. Even less time for it to work. And just like that, as soon as the last fish had taken its last breath, the whole pile just vanished along with Calista’s terrible curse.”

Mom had a weird, sweet smile on her face. I was expecting a question about how I came up with the brilliant plan and was excited to blurt that I’d thought of it while straining tea leaves, but a different question entirely came out of her mouth. “Did you just call her Whisper?”

Revel looked slightly coy for the first time … ever. “Uh, it’s just a nickname.”

That was not the response I was hoping for. It had been more than a nickname to me. It had been a thing between us. He was the only person to call me it, and while, at first, it was meant to tease me about my size, it became so much more to me. I considered it the start of our connection, our intense feelings for each other, but I wasn’t going to say that in front of Mom.

“Yes, when he first saw me, he told the trio that I was no bigger than a whisper.”

“She’s proven herself to be so much bigger than her physical size.” Revel’s color and vitality had returned, and he looked almost surreal sitting, massive and beautiful, in the tiny room. The gaze he shifted my direction told me that I had not misinterpreted the nickname. He knew, too, it was the first link in our connection.

Revel’s mention of Calista reminded me of the last confusing glitch I’d experienced. We finished our tea, and Revel volunteered to wash the cups, leaving Mom and me alone.

I scooted closer so I could talk in a quiet voice, hoping the crackling fire would mute the rest. “Mom, when we got to the Tribunal to stand in front of the sorcerers, I spotted the platform and stake where Revel said they burned Calista to death.”

“Yes, it’s a tragic reminder of that whole event.”

“That’s not why I’m bringing it up.” I glanced toward the kitchen, so Revel wouldn’t hear. It was something that had been bothering me since it happened, but so much had happened in between I’d forgotten until Revel brought up Calista. “My mind travel powers allow me to see the past through my own eyes and through the eyes of blood relatives. Just like I witnessed your parents’ deaths through your eyes.”

Mom patted my hand. “I’m sorry you had to experience that. I suppose it’s a strong memory because I relive that awful night in my dreams a lot.”

“That’s terrible, Mom. It was truly awful. Seeing Calista’s execution place brought forth a glitch, one of my unbidden mind travels.” Again, I looked toward the kitchen. My angst was causing Mom worry.

“What is it, Rafi?”

“I was there. I was on the stake burning and screaming at all the people. Mom, I was seeing the memory through Calista’s eyes.”

Mom’s expression turned grim. Her bow-shaped lips dipped on the edges. I’d triggered something, something important or something that had worried her long before I mentioned the glitch.

“Raphael,” she said quietly. “I had a sister.”

“Well, I managed that without breaking a cup,” Revel announced proudly.

I pulled my gaze from Mom’s face and smiled at the giant, rugged man with a dishtowel draped over his shoulder like a sash. It seemed I wouldn’t get my answer, and now I wanted to know more than ever. Mom’s reaction hadn’t been anything like I’d expected. She seemed fraught with concern about it. She’d never mentioned a sister, and I couldn’t puzzle out what a secret sister had to do with the wicked sorceress Calista burning at the stake and the glitch I had to go with it.

Mom’s laugh was a little forced. “I guess I’ll invite you back to wash dishes more often.”

It had been a heavy moment replaced by a light moment, then a frantic knock on the door switched the mood again. Mom startled and immediately pulled me to her.

Revel held up his hand, telling us not to make a sound as he crossed the room to the door.