The realization only reinforced my decision. No one else could know.
No matter how much he loved her before, he wouldn’t when he realized what she was. For this plan to work, he could never find out.
Starrin was known for being ruthless when it came to Fae. He led the charge during the Ten Year War and was still organizing the merciless attacks along the border. While he may have hidden it well in his house, his abhorrence was laid clear in his battle strategy.
If he were to find out before the deal was struck, he wouldn’t take the bribe and my kingdom would be on the verge of falling to Auryna. But if he found out after the exchange…
Anxiety stole the breath from my lungs and on instinct, I left my room in search of Iaso.
Iaso was the castle healer and she had served several monarchs before me. She was one of the oldest people in Ravaryn and due to her sway over plants, the best healer in the entire realm. She could will them to do her bidding, to an extent, and this included encouraging them to be more potent—in healing or poisoning. She could heal almost any wound as long as there was still a heartbeat while also being able to poison someone without a trace.
This made her the best ally in the realm, as well as the most dangerous.
She was also the only reason I was still alive. Without her, I would’ve died the day my father sliced me—not that he would’ve minded.
Hurt washed over me at the memory, stinging the skin along the scar. Grinding my teeth, I pushed it down, letting the numbness return.
As Iaso was one of the oldest, she also had the most advice to give. I desperately hoped she would be able to give me something, reassurance maybe, and settle my rising panic.
Giving a light knock on the ancient, wooden door, I slowly pushed it open, the hinges squeaking as it moved.
“Iaso?”
“Well, hello there. Long time, no see,” she answered as her head peeked out from behind another wall. The sunlight flowing from her greenhouse windows illuminated her umber skin as she greeted me with a warm smile. She glided across the room and threw her arms around me in a tight embrace.
While she was one of my best advisors, she’d also been my safe haven after we moved into Draig Hearth, taking me under her wing as her own as she healed me.
I wrapped my arms around her and stood there for a moment, letting the smell of honey and herbs settle my nerves.
“How are you, my son?” she asked, pulling back. Her golden eyes roamed over my face and body, checking for damage of any kind.
“I’m alright, but I actually have something I wanted to discuss with you,” I said in a hushed whisper.
She guided me to the table and chairs near the window overlooking her extensive greenhouse. The greenhouse, as well as the surgery, was built specifically for her—an incentive to be the castle healer when Draig Hearth was first built a millennium ago. Here she had remained, by choice, serving every monarch since.
“What is it, Rogue?” she asked, pulling my attention back to her.
“Alden has briefed you on everything regarding Auryna, correct?”
She nodded.
“Has he spoken to you of the human girl I kidnapped?”
“Yes, the daughter of General Starrin. You plan to use her as leverage,” she replied.
“Well, actually… He has just informed me that he believes she is the lost daughter of King Vaelor.”
She froze, averting her gaze for a moment.
“Elora’s daughter?” she asked.
“Elora?” My heart leapt into my throat.
“Elora was Vaelor’s human lover,” she uttered, dropping her gaze to her greenery. “I remember her.”
“So you knew?” I demanded, rising to my feet. “You knew a child of Vaelor was out there and you never told me?”
Anger burned in my chest. The two people I trusted most knew of this secret and they both withheld it. A fierce wave of betrayal ripped through me.