She had woken up to Elnora slamming the cupboard door as she cleaned. Circe must have left for work already that morning, and Agatha was still warm in bed.

‘What’s wrong?’ Bethan asked, flinching when Elnora slammed another cupboard.

‘I dumped Sam,’ she seethed beneath her breath.

‘Is this because of what happened?’ she asked.

Elnora nodded. ‘I was going to dump him anyway. It was stupid to be with someone my parents disapproved of.’

Considering all three of her friends were closely connected to the search, Circe was in the House of Officials, Agatha was Tharin’s half-sister, and Elnora was a Rennigan. Kellan thought it was best not to tell the girls they were going to Aalexyia because of the grimoire but to get Bethan out into nature ‘to clear her mind.’

She must admit that, in the past two weeks, she’d been numb to any feelings and noticed she was sadder than usual.

A beeping car broke her from her thoughts. The car pulled in front of them, and the door clicked open to reveal her father.

She choked at the sight of him. He pulled her into a tight hug.

‘Have you gotten taller?’ he asked lovingly.

‘Age is making you shorter, Dad.’

He grumbled in response.

His dark brown eyes glinted when he saw Kellan, who straightened his demeanour when her father came into view. Kellan easily stood inches over her dad, but he still tried to look intimidating against him.

‘Henry Kore,’ her father said, extending a hand to Kellan.

‘Kellan Finch.’

Shockingly, her father grabbed Kell’s chin and turned his head, revealing his pointed ears. Kellan stepped away from his grip.

‘He’s fae,’ her dad muttered, shock written all over his face.

‘I hope that won’t be a problem, sir.’

Bethan wanted to laugh at Kellan’s formalness.

‘Of course not,’ her father said, ‘but you will have to be subjected to my questions.’

Kellan laughed. ‘Nothing I’m not already used to.’

Bethan rolled her eyes upon realising that they would be thick as thieves by the end of the two days.

They got into the car, Bethan took the front passenger seat, Kellan squished in the back with their bags.

Kellan answered every question her father threw at him. He answered them with grace and humbleness. She hated to say it, and she hated to compare them, considering they were not in a relationship, but Tharin was dismissive of her parents and never bothered to visit them.

‘Have you ever met Queen Helia of Zakros?’

Bethan turned around, as facing Kellan made her uncomfortable.

He looked upwards, clearly thinking of an answer.

Bethan decided to take it from him.

‘She is his mother,’ she boasted. Kellan raised his brows at her.

He slammed on the brakes. They jerked forward, their seatbelts dragged them back in place.