“We don’t think she lives. The king made it sound like she passed long ago. He’s…” Gadriel searched for the correct word. “King Ceres has been a bit difficult for some time. We haven’t uncovered much, but we do have a lead as to how we might find out.”

“Difficult how?” Amaris prodded.

“Being reunited with his child is the only thing he cares about. Occasionally, his obsession seems to cause Ceres to stand in his own way.”

“I’m listening,” Malik prompted, hoping Amaris would continue.

“By this time tomorrow, we could be at the Temple of the All Mother.”

Amaris made a face, asking, “And what? Pray for answers? I didn’t take ag’imni to be so religious.”

It was a taunt, and even though the faes’ expressions ranged from flashed teeth to scowls, their anger was playful enough. Perhaps after all these years, it was validating to hear the words from the voice of a southern girl. They’d undoubtedly come to understand how they were perceived, and yet she was not afraid. She did her best to empathize with whatever relief they must be experiencing to finally feel seen.

Zaccai smiled hopefully. “We haven’t been able to ask the priestesses our questions. We’ve tried writing letters that have been left at the temple’s door, but for some unknowable reason, she doesn’t seem to want to put the great secrets of the universe down on paper, so we’ve never gotten a response. We have reason to believe they have an item of great power that could help us find the Raascot’s heir.”

Ash turned to her. “Ask your dark fae—”

From his flinches, Amaris could tell he was cut short by what he perceived as screeching.

“Even Uaimh Reev is using such terms?” Silvanus said, his voice thick with disgust.

Gadriel sighed. “We all live on the same continent, but Farehold seems to be the only kingdom that gets to believe it’s alone in the world, with the rest of us existing in their peripherals. If the reevers are full of citizens of Farehold—”

“It’s not Uaimh Reev’s fault,” Zaccai said softly. Everyone spoke as if she weren’t there. Amaris melted amidst her brothers while the fae spoke around her. Zaccai continued, “If no one from Raascot has joined the neutral territory and taken up with their cause in a century, how are they to know better?”

Gadriel glared. “The same way they know about sustrons and vageth and the whole of civilized history. Education.”

“What are they saying?” Ash whispered for what felt like the hundredth time that night.

Amaris blinked at the exchange, shaking her head. “I truly have no idea.”