“It’s not that they can’t,” Bronte interrupts. “It’s just that it’s always been considered a bit taboo.”

D’Arcy wrinkles her nose.

“Anyway,” I say. “It is possible, according to Cloris Payne.”

“Cloris died that day,” Cyan says, rather forcefully. “What do you mean?”

“I’ll get to that part,” I say, wondering what his problem is.

I then go on to explain what happened when my grandmother tried to steal the magic of Heart.

“I knew it was her fault!” Linden hisses. “She killed him.”

Physically, she holds herself back, but her expression seethes with anger. I see the hurt and loss in her eyes. She misses her brother. I can’t blame her for that. I’d want to do the same if anything ever happened to Tristan.

“Linden,” Cedar says softly. “It is not Lor’s fault. Surely you see that. Wolf agreed to the bonding as well. She is our family.”

“She is not—” Linden starts, but I interrupt her.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I’m sorry. I wish I could take all of this back. I wish I could have stopped all of this. I wish my grandmother hadn’t done it and they were all alive. I wish that I could take your pain away. Our grandmother’s actions killed our parents, too. It was because of her that we were tossed into the worst prison on the continent when we were children.”

A tear slips down Linden’s cheek, and she scrubs it angrily away.

“You are our family. Please.”

Linden shakes her head, and I know I haven’t won her over, but there’s something slightly softer in her ire.

“Go on,” she finally says, and I nod, understanding that’s the best I’m getting right now.

“What does all of this have to do with Zerra?” Cyan asks, picking up our conversation.

I blow out a breath.

“I was taken to the Evanescence, where the Empyrium told me they wanted to replace Zerra.”

“Sounds like she needs it,” Cedar scoffs.

“And when I wore the Heart Crown, I saw my mother,” I say.

Bronte whistles. “How many surprises do you have for us, girl?”

I go on to explain everything my mother told me, and when I’m done, I’ve shocked them all yet again.

“This is one hell of a twist you’re in,” Cyan says, and I see the softening in his expression. He might finally understand why my hands were tied.

“Lor,” Elswyth says, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “How can we help?”

“There are two things we need,” I say. “The first is that the arks must all be destroyed, and you are the only ones who can do it.”