“I recognize the pattern of the lightning,” Liga said. “What you see is actually the flash of Vespre’s sword as the blade slashes through the sky.”

Daemon felt the thunder’s vibrations as if they were in his bones. They were an echo of a memory from his past life in Celestae, when he’d witnessed his father’s fury firsthand. “You’d better go,” he said to Liga. “I’m sorry I kept you for so long.”

“But we still need him,” Fairy said, rushing forward and grabbing Liga’s wrist, as if that would keep a demigod from leaving if he wanted to. “Wolf, you don’t know how to use all your powers yet. What about gravitational magic?”

Liga rested his hand on hers where she gripped him. “I believe my brother can figure it out on his own from here, now that he’s reconnected with his true identity. Besides, you have a mission to fulfill—sabotage and spying and an empress to find. That is still important, is it not?”

“But—”

“Fairy,” Daemon said gently, “we have to let him go.”

Reluctantly, she uncurled her fingers from Liga’s wrist. “I know you gods don’t like to get involved in human affairs, but don’t forget us when you go back to Celestae, okay? Our invitation to you is always open.”

Liga smiled. “I promise I will not forget you. And I will return as soon as I can. It turns out I find earth rather fascinating. I cannot let my brother monopolize it all for himself.”

Lightning flashed again, brighter and angrier this time. “Go,” Daemon said.

“Until next time.” Liga gave Fairy a courtly bow, tipped his head at Daemon, then vanished as if he’d never been there.

Daemon blinked at where his brother had just stood. Even though he knew Liga was a demigod, the magnitude of his magic still surprised Daemon.

“I’m going to miss him,” he said. Ever since Daemon was taken from the wolves in Takish Gorge, he’d wished for a family. Now he had one, even if it was far away. He looked up. It was too stormy to see the sky, but Daemon smiled anyway, knowing that every constellation up there was a brother or sister. He’d never have to feel alone again.

“I’ll miss him, too,” Fairy said, “even though he was a little weird.”

Daemon laughed. “Well, it’s probably good that he’s gone, or I would’ve been tempted to keep practicing with him. But it’s night; we need to head back to the Imperial City.” They had to keep searching for the empress. Every day that passed increased the risk that the Dragon Prince would do something awful to her or kill her. And it was also of the utmost importance that Daemon and Fairy keep trying to slow his plans in any way they could.