The rain was so heavy, all she could really make out of Culinnon was lots of trees and a mansion of glass.

She and Vada stood dripping on the floor of an enormous front room, huddling close to the firepit that ran down the center of it. A servant had instructed them to wait while she fetched Ambrosine. Vada whistled as she gazed around at the glass walls and oddly shaped furniture.

“Nice place,” she said as another clap of thunder rang out.

Several minutes later, Agnes heard the patter of feet, and then there was a flash of silver-blue as Sera darted into the room and threw her arms around her.

“I’m all wet,” Agnes protested, but Sera held her tight. When she finally pulled away, Leo was there right behind her, a big grin on his face.

“You made it,” he said. “We heard you were coming, but . . . you guys made good time.”

“We had some help,” Vada said.

“It’s so good to see you both,” Agnes said. “What happened? We heard about the princess’s ship but then we had to flee Ithilia in the night and we’ve been out of contact with the world since.”

“We have so much to t—” Leo began, but then there was a soft clearing of a throat and he fell silent and stepped aside.

Her grandmother was standing in the doorway, and she was more elegant than Agnes had ever imagined. She was struck by just how much she looked like Leo, except for the nose, and her black curls were done up and pinned with pointed venuses, her blue lace gown the height of sophistication. She exuded power and confidence and for a moment, Agnes’s breath was taken away at the very idea that they were related.

“Agnes,” Ambrosine said, and Agnes stumbled forward. Her grandmother held out her hands and took both of Agnes’s. “By the goddesses, it is so very good to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Agnes said thickly. Then she shivered. “Sorry. I’m getting your carpet all wet.”

Ambrosine laughed. “No need to worry about carpets, my dear, I’ve hundreds of them. But you must be desperate for a bath and fresh clothes. You and your companion . . .”

“Vada Murchadha,” Vada said, giving an awkward bow. “At your service.”

Ambrosine’s brows pinched together, but she inclined her head politely. “Vada,” she said. Then she clapped her hands and two servant girls hurried into the room. “Take my granddaughter and her friend to bathe and find them rooms in the eastern glen.”

“Yes, mistress,” one said as the other bobbed a curtsy.

Agnes didn’t want to leave Sera and Leo so soon, but a bath sounded like heaven.

“Don’t worry,” Leo said when he saw her hesitation. “We aren’t going anywhere.”