“Okay, but you knew that my father had an affair that resulted in a child, or you wouldn’t have reacted the way you did when I walked in,” I insisted.

“I did not find out about the affair until after Haman had returned to Castalis,” Ballos replied. “Your mother came to my doorstep asking for Haman’s address, because she was carrying his child. I remember the day well, because it was the first time a shifter had ever come to call upon me. I was so startled that I let her in, and she told me how Haman had been seeing her as a human male. Apparently, he’d disguised both his looks and his scent, which only confirms my theory that he was infatuated. I don’t know why he would have gone to such pains otherwise.” His voice was thick with disgust.

“I see.” I frowned as a question popped into my head, and I voiced it aloud before thinking better of it. “How is it that they were able to conceive? Even during heat, it is hard for shifters to get pregnant—we usually have to take a special potion to maximize our chances. It doesn’t sound like my mother did that.”

“I suppose not,” Haman said, shrugging. “The pregnancy was unexpected, and initially unwelcome, from what she said. She was very dismayed to learn that Haman wasn’t here, after going through considerable trouble to track him down. She was angry at his deception, for she might have used stronger protection had she had any idea he was a very powerful mage. That can make a difference, and there might have been a full moon.” He shrugged. “I am hardly an expert though.”

“No, that makes sense.” The full moon boosted a shifter’s power, and it helped increase the chances of conception; that was why the heat always coincided with a full moon. Coupled with my father’s mage powers… oh. Iannis was a powerful mage too. I would have to remember to track down some kind of potion or spell to prevent pregnancy the next time I was in heat, as it would create a huge scandal if I got pregnant before Iannis and I were married.

Of course, the idea of bearing and raising children with Iannis was a whole other topic that needed to be thought about. But now was not the time for it, so I firmly pushed it aside.

“So, did you give her my father’s address?” I demanded. “And did they get in touch? Does my father know about me?”

“I did tell her your father’s address,” Haman said. “Given his family’s prominence in Castalis, it is common knowledge. But I highly doubt Haman knows anything about you.”

“What!” I nearly came out of my chair. “Are you saying she decided not to tell him?”