“I see.” So he had been hidden away for some reason. More house secrets. “House Vivek is not without a leader.”

“No. Lord Renlar has chosen to step forward and lead his people. He is strong in both body and mind. Given what he wrote in his letter, it doesn’t appear that he believes the explanation given for the death of his father and aunt.”

Selene wrapped her fingers around the warm mug and breathed in the spicy, fruity fragrance, her mind spinning from this new information. “I don’t think my mother expected people to believe it forever. Just long enough to sow seeds of doubt and disunity until she revealed her true colors, behind the might of the Dominia Empire.” What would Mother do when she discovered House Vivek had endured? Kill again? So much pain, so much death. For nothing.

Damien tapped the top of his desk. “I believe the Dominia Empire will make its move once the last of the snow melts. Do you think your mother and House Friere will make their alliances known by then?”

She lowered her gaze and stared into the deep amber liquid. “I don’t know. I’m ashamed that my family is even part of this.”

“When I was at the assembly, Caiaphas told me your mother would never ally with the other Great Houses. He said her hatred runs deep. But he didn’t believe that was true of you, and I don’t think so either. He said that you might be the ally we were looking for.”

“Ally?”

“A representative for House Ravenwood. Someone who would be willing to use her gift for the welfare of all Great Houses and peoples.”

Selene blinked. “My father said that? When did you meet with him?”

“The night before the gala. That was the same night I promised him I would protect you.” Damien laughed softly. “He was very adamant about that. Now I know why. He knew you were the missing piece to the alliance—that you possessed the gift of House Ravenwood.”

“You keep saying alliance. What is this alliance you speak of?” Suddenly, a conversation with her father came roaring back to the front of her mind—the one where she realized he was part of some secret coalition. The one where he revealed why he had married her mother: to find out if the dreamwalking gift still existed.

She stared at Damien, her whole body tingling. “Are you part of some secret alliance?”

Damien gazed back. “Yes. It’s a coalition whose purpose is to unite the Great Houses. Your father is part of that group. And so are a number of lesser lords and ladies. When my father died, I inherited his position as the leader of the group.”

“The . . . leader?” The room began to spin around her. She raised a hand and placed it against the side of her face in an effort to make everything stand still. Her father’s words filled her mind. “There is a group of people who have been searching for a way to unite the Great Houses. This group has existed for many years, quietly working to bring every nation together.” And Damien was one of them. No, he was the leader of them.