“Me,” a voice called, and Audria Ather stepped out of the foyer, looking radiant and also perfectly apologetic. “He insisted that he had to see you for Geivhrea, and the roads were impassable.”

“Audria,” Kerrigan said. She pulled her into a hug, squeezing her a little too tight. “You shouldn’t have.”

“I know,” she whispered, barely a breath. “I’m sorry.”

Fordham strode out of the foyer as well with Kivrin at his side. His eyes landed on the ring on her finger with disdain. He looked ready to skewer Ashby March. Her father smiled at the irony of it all.

“Shall we break our fast and then open presents?” he suggested.

They entered the dining room. She was seated beside Audria and across from March. Fordham was across from Audria while Kivrin sat at the head of the table. He blessed the gods before eating, and then they dived into the food. Kerrigan ate as daintily as she could while also shoving food in her mouth at every opportunity to keep from speaking to March.

Kivrin and Audria filled the holes of the conversation with ease. But by the time they were finished and ushered into the sitting room, Kerrigan was well aware of March’s foul mood. His animosity toward Fordham was becoming clearer and clearer. And Fordham’s shadows hovering tightly around him helped nothing. Her betrothed and the man she loved in the same room was a disaster waiting to happen. If Dozan were here, it would have been the icing on the cake of the most awkward Geivhrea ever.

Kivrin distributed presents like Father Geivhrea delivering the goods of spring. He must have been quick with new gifts because he had a ruby bracelet for Audria and an embroidered coat for March. She hadn’t thought she would receive anything from her father. It was her first gift from him in twelve years, and when she peeled back the brightly colored paper, a diamond brooch landed in her palm. Her eyes rounded as she saw the livery of the House of Cruse in the design—a raven and a rose twined in flight.

“It belonged to my mother. Mistress Enara wore it on the battlefield and the ballroom. I thought you might wear it tonight,” Kivrin said softly. “You no longer claim the House of Cruse, but I believe it still claims you.”

Her eyes were wet as she looked up at her father. “Thank you … Father.”

He smiled, letting her know that using that word was present enough.

Audria broke the moment by standing and clapping her hands. “While this has been wonderful, Lord Argon…”

“Call me Kivrin, Audria.”

She nodded her head in acknowledgment. “We do have to get back to Rosemont for the party tonight, and Kerrigan and I have much to do to get ready.”