Kael had always admired him, and it only made Roark’s actions in Skalfirth more of a betrayal. Then in moments like this, I considered there was more to the Sentry than I knew.

“When the king speaks, it is customary to honor him with a response.” Baldur’s rough grumble drew me back.

My heart rate slowed, and my breaths grew even again. I met Roark’s stare. The look he gave me wasn’t one of irritation that I’d gotten lost in a bit of fear. He gave me a subtle nod as if to tell me I could speak, I could do this moment.

“My sigil was changed, sire,” I said, voice soft. There was no purpose to hide the truth, not anymore. “But it once said House Bien.”

Damir clucked his disapproval. “Strange how the Norns of fate play their games. The same house name of the lost melder. How convinced I was you had died all those seasons ago. Who took you from your house, girl? Where were you hidden?”

I swallowed. “I don’t recall, sire. Those early seasons are difficult to remember.”

“Try.”

I shifted on my feet, then took a small step closer to the dais. “I mostly remember living in a young house, then being given to House Jakobson on my twelfth summer. But…sometimes, I can remember someone…running with me.”

My eyes fluttered closed. A voice, a rough shadow of a young man’s beard. The race of a heartbeat beneath a leather jerkin.

See that she’s forgotten.

I shook my head and blinked my eyes open. “I don’t recall much more than that, sire.”

King Damir’s grin was like a wolf about to strike. “To have you here now, what a gift it is from the gods.”

A side door opened and Prince Thane materialized, a woman with ink black hair toppled in curls on her head clung to his arm. Queen Ingir had pale skin like morning cream and wide, deep-set eyes that seemed to swallow everyone in the room in one sweeping glance. The queen was haunting, but lovely, and moved like her feet never truly touched the ground.

Attendants floated at her back. The prince’s mouth was set, but when his eyes found me—or perhaps it was Ashwood—he gave a subtle eye roll, like he wanted us to know the entrance was all rather ridiculous.

“You’ve begun without me, husband,” Queen Ingir said in a voice that did not match her delicate features. Sharp as shaved glass, and directly aimed at the king.

Damir did not face her when he spoke. “There is nothing that requires your direct approval, wife, so I cannot possibly think of why I would wait.”