My father’s words rang in my thoughts; I had his support, as well as the duke’s, although I was reluctant to believe it just yet. I could most likely also garner Mazarine’s support. But I didn’t know if I desired any of it. I hoped I would have a better sense of what to do and what I wanted when I reached the summit.

In the meantime, I held an advantage, and I wasn’t afraid to play it.

“I will swear my allegiance to you, Lady Vesper,” I said. “I will fight on your behalf until the curse is broken and the mountain duchy is restored.”

“Good, Anna. Come, kneel before me and give me your vow.”

I did as she wanted.

I knelt among the blankets and furs of my makeshift bed and held out my right hand. She unsheathed a small dagger from her belt and bestowed a quick, shallow slice to my palm. The wound stung as I spoke my vow to her.

“I, Anna Neven of Endellion, pledge myself and my magic to your service, Lady Raven Vesper, Countess of Amarys. I will serve you and your family from this moment until the curse breaks on the mountain and the Seren Duchy is restored. Should I break my word, you have the power to bring me harm by whatever way you see fit, according to my betrayal.”

She nodded, pleased with my words.

I rose and she wrapped the wound on my hand with a strip of cloth torn from one of the blankets.

“The first thing I ask of you is to make amends with Phelan,” she said. “You once guarded his back on the new moon nights in Endellion. I would ask it of you again.”

“You believe someone in our circle would harm him?” I asked.

She nodded, and I could sense she was warring with her words. To tell me or to withhold what she thought. When she continued to hesitate, I said, “The duke, perhaps?”

“The duke and I do not often see eye to eye, but he would not hurt my son,” she replied. “I do not trust Ambrose Madigan.”

“The magician? Is there a reason, lady?”

“His loyalties are questionable,” the countess replied. “He was once very close to his twin brother. They were inseparable before the curse. I would not be surprised if he chose to defend his brother instead of restoring the duchy.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, lady, as well as watch over Phelan,” I said, and I hated how her statement about my father planted a seed of doubt in my mind. “Although your son tends to hold grudges. I don’t know if he will ever forgive me.”

“Oh, I have no doubt that he will,” she said.

I watched her walk to the tent entrance, the night wind stirring the canvas as she departed.

I stood for a moment longer, contemplating all the paths before me.