Her gaze moves to Nadir. “I do understand what it means to do anything to be with the ones you love.”

“I’m speechless,” I say.

“Well, that’s a first,” Mael quips, and I toss him a glare.

“I also happen to have a copy of the Book of Night back in the Crystal Palace,” Anemone adds.

My mouth opens in surprise. Finally, something works in our favor.

“And the bonding won’t open us up to Zerra?” Nadir asks as Anemone shakes her head.

“She holds no dominion over bonds. Only the Artefacts are necessary to combine your magic.”

I blow out a breath. That seems like good news, at least.

“Do you know why the arks affect her?” I ask.

“The priestesses know of dark magic, and the kings of The Aurora are not the first to meddle with its power, nor will they be the last,” Anemone says.

“Zerra is the vessel that connects Imperial magic to the Artefacts and thus to the High Fae. I’ve always suspected the reason these items affect her so strongly is because the arks act in opposition to that, trying to sever that link, which, in turn, would kill her.”

I nod. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is destroying them.

“Do you have any idea why Lor is immune to the effects of arcturite?” Nadir asks, and yet again, I sense everyone’s shock.

Anemone’s gaze traces over me as she nods. “It’s not that the magic of arcturite can’t be overcome, it’s that it requires a great amount of power to do so. I’ve never heard of it happening before, but I suppose these are unprecedented times.”

I return her nod, feeling like another brick has been stacked onto my shoulders.

“Thank you for all of this. We are so grateful,” I say to Anemone after we’re all silent for a moment.

Nadir dips his head. “We appreciate this very much. Will your kingdom destroy the ark?”

My gaze falls on Cyan. “If it will rid the world of Zerra and free Anemone from her shadow, then I do not hesitate,” he answers. “I remain unbonded and do not have a Primary to call upon, so I will do the best I can. From what Coral shared with me in the past, it was used only a little by Alluvion’s former rulers and thus isn’t likely to be as strong as some of the other arks.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, tears filling my eyes.

“And I assume that means we’re all going to The Aurora,” Cyan says, his tone wry.

“We will need the Torch and the Crown to complete the bonding,” Anemone agrees.

A hard knot loosens in my chest. We’re a long way from the end, but at least this is one step in the right direction.