“When our father died, Lach permitted me to do as I please here. I sent men across the world to gather these texts. Some even come from the Far Kingdom,” Theodore explains.

“Osinea? But how did you get them here when no one can cross the Trench?” Idalia asks, flipping through another codex. “Letters are easy enough for birds to travel with, but books?”

“There’s a species there that can travel with larger objects. I called in for a few favors, and they delivered.”

“Bigger birds?” I ask. “Are any still here?”

“Oh, Lady and Shield! How did I forget your infatuation with birds?!” Theodore claps her hands in delight. “I always underestimate just how peculiar men’s interests can be.”

At that, Stig pokes his chest forward and strides towards the Aeradian Princess. “Men’s interests run far and wide, Your Highness. That’s why we’ve accomplished a great many things.”

“A great many things you say,” Theodore says with raised eyebrows. “Do tell, whoever you are, what has a man accomplished that is so great in your astute opinion?”

Stig shuffles his feet before her unwavering stare and clears his throat. “Why, everything, of course. That’s why men run this world.”

An almost unbearable silence follows until, without looking up from the book she’s scanning, Idalia cracks a laugh.

Theodore looks first at Idalia and then back at Stig, sending him a cool smile.

“Well, then. It’s no wonder the world is in shambles.”

With beet-red cheeks, Stig laces his hands behind his back and studies the bookshelves, pretending the insult did not critically hit him. I only hope he can sing better than he can act.

“Theodore,” I ask. “Is Lachlan here?”

She sends me a wide smile. “He is, and he’ll be so happy to see you. Both of you,” she says.

A thud rings through my chest. Two old friends reuniting should be a blessed thing, but I can’t forget why Idalia is here. I can’t accept why he’ll be so happy to see her. The Sparrow has found her permanent nest in a new aviary.

Theodore leads us down at least twelve corridors before we arrive at a ladder resting against a wall. She gestures with her chin for us to climb to the simple trap door in the ceiling. Idalia begins her ascent, and Stig moves forward, but Theodore shoots out her arm and shakes her head. “This is for royalty only,” she says.

Stig gazes so hard into Theodore’s eyes I wonder if he remembers how to speak. Eventually, he blinks and looks back at me.

“Sorry, I didn’t believe you, Prince Man, about the whole royalty thing. What are the chances?”

I laugh and haul myself up. As I reach the top, I see Idalia rushing across the room. My stomach twists in knots.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Braizen