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I trust Lonan to keep my secrets, but I do not trust his love for the Dark. Our mutual reliance is based on the fact that we hold metaphorical knives to each other’s necks.

“Fair enough. Then maybe this will be easier than I hoped. I didn’t know how much he was able to sway you while you were here. The first thing you should know is that I don’t relish having to take the actions I’ve taken tonight.”

“You killed a student.” Right before my eyes. He’d been sweet and dancing one moment, and then he bit her. I know what I saw. But I also don’t know how to reconcile it with the man sitting in front of me.

“I did.” He doesn’t apologize, and my skin goes cold. “I had to. You’ve been immersed in Gossemort for some time. You don’t see what it’s become.”

My stomach twists. “And what has it become?”

“Sick with the Dark.” He stands and paces toward the stone walls of his chamber. He rests a palm against the stone lovingly, sadly. “Gault is the Illuminated Kingdom, the last refuge of the Light. And for so long, Gossemort has been its north star, its battle hymn. But the Dark has been encroaching. Finally, our scouts sent word that it had infiltrated, all thanks to my dear brother.”

My breath goes shallow as Galvin turns his eyes toward mine. “He’s a traitor, Vesper. You’ve been closer to him than anyone. Perhaps you’ve seen the signs.”

I have.

Lonan’s secrets are the same as mine—both of us secret soldiers of the Dark. Does Galvin know? Does he suspect? I could be in terrible danger here. I don’t yet know what he is or how to fight him. Galvin watches me carefully for another moment before continuing, “You don’t believe me. You know, we grew up together.”

My brows cinch. “Lonan grew up in an orphanage.”

Galvin nods. “That was after. He wasn’t with us in the beginning, and then one day, he appeared in the nursery. I was around five. I’d had everything in my life just as I wanted—had the servants and governesses wrapped around my finger by that point.” He shakes his head, a shadow of a smile on his lips. “But I’d always wanted a brother. It was like a miracle, him appearing. A boy my age with my face. Mother told me he was my twin, that he’d been stolen as an infant and we’d gotten him back. But then everything went sour.

“All brothers fight, but not like we did. He was a terror, always wearing that scowl, always glaring at me, long dirty hair hanging in his face. They tried to discipline him, but there was no taming Lonan. He set the curtains to flame, deliberately tore apart the rose garden.” Galvin leans closer to me. “I’m fairly certain he murdered my rabbit.”

“What?”

Galvin gives me an apologetic look. “He always liked my rabbit—Froderick. He was white and wore a blue ribbon on his neck. Lonan told me he wanted one too. I told him he couldn’t have one because he wasn’t a prince. I was being a nasty little twit, admittedly. But here was this boy ruining what little peace I’d created for myself . . . The next day I found Froderick behind the piano. There was no blood. No signs of distress. He was just . . . dead. I can’t explain it, but I knew it was him. I knew something Dark had happened to my rabbit and that Lonan was the source. I didn’t sleep for days after. The governesses became worried. They informed my parents, and then one morning, Lonan was just gone. The governesses said he was sent away. I could finally sleep.”

Galvin wants me to feel for the terrors he’s endured, but all I can think is, what would a boy that small have to endure to cause such harm to an animal? What darkness really lies within Lonan?

“I know this is difficult to hear,” Galvin continues. “But . . . Gossemort has fallen. We—that is, the Elders and my father—believe the Dark has pervaded the school enough that we have to root it out.”

“The Ridding.”

He nods. “Thus the Ridding. It’s an ancient practice, one that hasn’t been used at Gossemort in centuries. They thought we could protect students from the Dark merely through instruction. But some things are too tempting for the weak. And a meiga wielding Dark magic . . . Well, you understand why that can’t be allowed to stand.”

I nod numbly.

My thoughts swirl—one pushing past the others. I have to get out of here. The Ridding will uncover what I am, what Lonan is. It’s designed to purge the likes of us from the ranks of Gossemort students.

“I suppose you’re wondering why I rescued you.” Rescued me? Was that what that was? He steps toward me, a smile on his lips lined with uncertainty.

He reaches for me. I shouldn’t allow him to touch me. I should run. I should fight. But something stays me, a force that emanates from deep in my soul. I’m powerless against it.

He cradles my head in his hands. Though I still hold my scythe, he shows no fear. And as his face nears mine, I feel my resolve weaken. This feels like the feast—when we were close and everything was dreamlike and wonderful. His thumb brushes along my cheek, and I can’t help the gooseflesh that rises on my skin or the ache that blooms within me.

Home.

Whatever this is, it feels like home. Like promise. Like being in my mother’s arms or listening to my father’s stories. It feels like the first time I wielded magic. I belong. And I have wanted nothing else for so, so long.

Galvin’s grin widens. “You feel it,” he whispers. “I knew you would. I knew . . . You have to understand, Vesper, I didn’t expect you. I came here to do what needed to be done. I never thought I’d find you.”

“What . . . what do you mean?” My thoughts feel hazy again, like I’ve had too much wine or too little sleep. Galvin disorients me.

“Vesper, have you ever heard of a bloodmate?”

Chapter Sixteen

There are some things meant only for fairy tales. A bond written in stars, deeper than marriage, greater than love. It’s magical and beautiful and entirely myth.