“Look, Mistress Phebe, a Byrne has come to see you!” Rahel declared. “But he didn’t use the door. He certainly needs new clothes, doesn’t he?”

Leo’s knees locked together, wondering what this woman would do as she stared at him, but then she turned to the princess with a wide smile. “Yes, he does,” she said. “And we have finished our fitting. You may change next door and I will be with you shortly.”

Princess Rahel did not seem eager to leave Leo’s company, but she acquiesced. Once they were alone, Leo felt his heart pounding in his ears. Vada struggled to her feet as the woman folded her arms across her chest.

“Leo McLellan,” she said, and Leo felt a shock run through him.

“No,” Vada protested weakly. “He’s a Byrne, he—”

“Oh, he’s a Byrne all right,” the woman said. “Those eyes, the nose, the chin . . . my god, he even has her hair, if not the same color.” She cocked her head. “But this Byrne was not raised on the estates of Culinnon or in the majestic streets of Ithilia.”

“I . . .” Leo didn’t know what to say and from the looks of it, neither did Vada.

The woman smiled and extended a hand to him. “My name is Phebe Ofairn. I believe you know my brother, Eneas.”

3

Agnes

THE SUN WAS SETTING, AND LEO AND VADA STILL WEREN’T back.

Agnes paced the length of the captain’s cabin as Sera stared out the porthole window over the bed, fascinated by the sights and sounds of Arbaz.

What was taking the two of them so long? Agnes fingered the letter in her pocket, the one her grandmother had sent her. She kept it on her at all times, right next to the photograph of her mother. They were touchstones reminding her of who she was and of her purpose. She took the letter out now and read it for the millionth time.

My dearest Agnes,

I hope this letter reaches you. I have friends at the University of Ithilia and received surprising (and welcome) news. Come find me when you arrive. I will say no more here except that I have longed to meet you.

Your loving grandmother,

Ambrosine Byrne

The date for Agnes’s interview with the Academy of Sciences was already set and mere days away. Agnes didn’t want to miss it—she couldn’t miss it; she had been waiting her whole life for this opportunity. But Sera needed to get home. Agnes felt terrible asking her friend if they could delay the journey even for just a day.

“I know what you’re thinking.” Sera’s voice made her jump. Agnes quickly put the letter back in her pocket.

“I was just worrying about Leo,” she lied.

“No you weren’t. You are thinking about that school, the one you are hoping to attend. You have an interview there soon, don’t you?”