“Barl…” Remmie shook his head, helpless. “You can’t go to him. Look what he’s become. Can you honestly say he’s the man you fell in love with?”

“Yes. I can. Remmie, if Morgan has lost his reason it’s because he’s beside himself with guilt for what’s happened. In his own way, he’s still trying to save Dorana.”

“How?” Remmie cried. “By turning every last one of us into monsters?”

“Please, Remmie. He’s not evil. Lady Martain, tell him.”

With a shaking sigh, Venette clutched her hands together in her lap. “This is Greve’s fault. That cantankerous, snip-pursed old man, he saw love as a weakness. Never praised his son if there was a chance to berate him, or point out a fault. Never ceased his droning on the greatness of the Danfeys and how it was Morgan’s duty to elevate them. Never once said to Morgan, ‘My dear boy, I love you.’”

“He ruined Luzena’s locket,” Barl said softly. “Threw it into the fire. I don’t think he cared that his son was lonely, and desperate to be cherished.”

In the hush, in the candlelight, she exchanged glances with Venette Martain… and for the first time saw approval in the older woman’s eyes.

Dreen Brislyn was staring at them. “You would pity him, when he is out there turning people into beasts? When he has brought Dorana face-to-face with destruction?”

Barl met her hot stare steadily. “He didn’t do that alone.”

“No, Mage Lindin, he didn’t. Which is why you will go to his estate and convince him to stop this madness before it goes any further.”

Remmie’s fist thudded against the wall. “And who are you to demand that she endanger her life by—”

“She’s endangered our lives!” Dreen Brislyn retorted. “Every life in Dorana is at risk, thanks to her. And I should excuse it because she was in love? Because an older man seduced her? Because she lost her wits when she lost herself in magework?”

“Don’t, Remmie,” Barl sighed. “Besides, you agree with her.”

“That’s different. I’m your brother.”

“And she is the head of the General Council.”

The meagre candlelight showed her his eyes, too bright. “Barl…”

Moving to him, she kissed his cheek, then turned away. “I’ll go now, so I’m there waiting for him. And if I don’t return?” She shook her head. “I don’t know. Throw Dorana on the mercy of our neighbours, perhaps? Ask them to help us? Brantone and the rest might be our only hope.”

And with a shrug she left them, before Remmie could weep openly, or anyone could wish her luck.

Chapter Thirty-three

Chapter Thirty-three

Morgan came home a scant hour after sunrise.