“Hektor speaks the truth,” Ambrosine said. “I seem to recall you vowing never to return to this island again, or some such dramatic nonsense.”

Matthias flinched but stood his ground. “Desperate times, Mother,” he said. “You’ve made it rather impossible to be a Byrne in Ithilia at the moment, what with your penchant for attacking the Triumvirate personally.”

Ambrosine waved a hand. “It was they who did the attacking first,” she said. “Absconding with my grandson like he was a piece of cargo. And dear Sera as well. Have you met Sera? She and Leo are absolutely devoted to each other. And Agnes, of course, you know Agnes. She told me you showed her the archives.”

Matthias’s nostrils flared. “The archives are open to everyone.” He sounded faintly exasperated, as if he’d explained this more than once.

“Old rules for old times,” Ambrosine said. “Things are changing.”

“They are indeed,” Matthias said, but just then Leo and Vada came running out to the docks.

“We saw the Triumvirate flag and thought—” Leo stopped short when he saw Matthias.

“Leo, this is our uncle,” Agnes said.

Tears filled Matthias’s eyes as he took in Leo’s face. “By the goddesses,” he murmured.

“The resemblance is striking, isn’t it?” Ambrosine said, but Matthias was walking toward Leo like a man in a trance. He stopped in front of him and extended a hand.

“Matthias Byrne,” he said as Leo shook it. “It is a great pleasure to meet you.”

“Um, you too,” Leo said.

“So you’ve run to the protection of Culinnon now?” Hektor said with a sneer. “After all these years of abandoning your family?”

“I’m not running away,” Matthias said mildly. “I’ve brought a gift for you, Mother.”

His eyes flickered to Agnes and then he turned to the ship.

“Bring them out!” he called.

Leo choked on his own breath and Agnes gave a half squeak, half whimper as Xavier McLellan appeared on the deck of the clipper.

“Oh my,” Ambrosine said, folding her arms across her chest. “What an unexpected surprise.”

A second later, Kiernan appeared beside him and Hektor let out a barking laugh.

“You found the bastard?” he said to Matthias. “You of all people?”

Kiernan was watching the two men with unabashed fear in his eyes.

“Now, Hektor,” Ambrosine said. “Is that any way to talk about your older brother?”

“Brother?” Leo croaked as Ambrosine strode forward.

“Bring them down!” she called, and the sailors shoved at the two men and they stumbled down the gangplank. Xavier’s face was cold as stone but Kiernan was pale and quivering.

“Well, Ezra,” Ambrosine said. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you attached yourself to . . . him.” She shot Xavier a disdainful look. “You always did like serving the biggest bully in the play yard.” She sighed. “What an embarrassment, to have to call you son.”