At our entrance, everyone in the salon turns towards us. The large room is covered with floral wallpaper and a thick fur rug. It boasts a bank of windows along the far side draped with heavy velvet curtains. In the middle is a low table surrounded by an array of armchairs and sofas where some of the most powerful people on the continent sit.

Bronte, the queen of Tor; Cedar and Elswyth, king and queen of The Woodlands; D’Arcy, the queen of Celestria; and Cyan, Linden, and Anemone from Alluvion. My brother and sister, and Mael and Amya, are also in the room. Etienne follows in a moment later.

“Hi,” I say, addressing Cyan, already knowing I can’t avoid this conversation. His eyes narrow, and he stands up from his seat. Today, he’s wearing long grey pants and a thin green tunic. Apparently, he does own shoes, because his feet are stuffed into a pair of leather sandals.

“Hi?” comes a bitter voice. Linden is already standing, her teeth bared, and her posture curved with aggression. “Hi? You left our kingdom in shambles, and you presume to stand there acting like nothing happened!”

She leaps, and I step back as Cyan and Anemone seize her by each of her arms while Nadir steps in front, shielding me with his body.

“Back off,” he says with a snarl, and I shudder to think what these two would do if they were alone in a room with me as the subject of their quarrel.

“She stole from us!” Linden screams. “She’s no different from her grandmother! Vile, selfish witch!”

I straighten my shoulders, trying not to let her words affect me. She’s right. I stole from them, and maybe I am just like Serce, but I’m trying to do better than she did.

“I had no choice,” I say, pushing past Nadir. He stands at my shoulder, ready if I should need him.

“You had a choice. You always have a choice,” Cyan says. “Don’t give me that bullshit.”

“Fine. I had a choice. And I chose myself and my mate over a piece of rock. Happy now?”

Cyan’s lips press together. “You destroyed half my castle. Killed people.”

“I regret that,” I say. “I am truly sorry for everything, but you were planning to give me up to the Aurora King.”

“Cyan’s answer is a skeptical look.

“Will you hear us out?” I ask. “Nadir and I have some things to tell you. Things that seem incomprehensible, but I assure you are all real. And for whatever it’s worth, I have your ark and intend to return it to you today.”

“But?” he asks, arching an eyebrow as he senses my hesitation.

“If you’ll listen, I’ll explain everything.”

“Fine,” Cyan says. “But this better be good.”

I snort a derisive laugh. “It’s something all right.”