Cair hummed, studying my expression with a small crease between his brows. “You are certain? I won’t tolerate⁠—”

I placed a hand over his, smiling softly. “I am okay.”

What Maeve said had rattled me, of course it had, but telling Cair and breaking my promise—risking her wrath—was not worth it. It would only lead to unnecessary bloodshed and even more animosity within the palace walls. I wasn’t so green as to expect my life here to ever be smooth sailing, but I would prefer my existence to be as peaceful as possible.

And setting off my mate’s protective instincts would do the opposite.

After a beat, the tension in Cair’s frame visibly eased, and he smiled back at me. “In that case, you’ll be happy to know that I have everything in place, and though I doubt my father will stay entirely ignorant of us leaving the palace…” He glanced pointedly at the empty corner Maeve had disappeared around. “I’ve taken the necessary precautions to lessen the fallout and keep our purpose and route as confidential as possible. Rathe will handle anything else of importance.”

“I don’t think Maeve will mention it,” I said vaguely. “It wouldn’t benefit her. You know what she’s like—serves herself first.”

“You have more faith than I do.”

Yeah, faith.

“I’m just trying not to worry about it,” I said, though I was in fact worrying about it. Marginally less than earlier though, so that was progress. “If she tells him, she tells him. There’s nothing much we can do about it now.”

Cair hummed in acknowledgment. “You’re right.”

“I often am,” I joked, and he huffed a faint laugh.

“Then are you ready to leave?”

My palms started to sweat a little. “Ready” was a loaded word—would anyone ever really be ready to meet their father after twenty-seven years? I supposed it didn’t matter. Now that I’d found a clue, I wouldn’t rest until I had answers, so whether I was prepared or not, I had to go.

It was time.

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” I said with a nervous chuckle. Cair reached forward to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch barely grazed my skin, but it calmed my racing thoughts.

“If at any point you want to turn back, just say the word. There is no obligation.”

Only to myself.

I nodded, and Cair kissed me, slow and sweet, before guiding me to the kitchens where my bag was already waiting. I shouldered the pack, slightly surprised by how light it felt on my shoulders considering everything inside. Magic really was a wonder. We slipped through the side door, leaving the palace, and though I was buzzing with excitement, there was an uneasy feeling in my belly. It was just nerves.

Probably.

Chapter Four

LUCA