I laugh aloud, and it startles her. “Sorry, but of course Laurel isn’t a blood mage. I already knew that,” I tell her gently. She blushes in embarrassment.

“Of course you did. I didn’t mean, didn’t—”

“It’s okay,” I say, relieving her from her adorable discomfort with a squeeze. She blushes again but then turns somber.

“Nemesia, there’s more.” Her expression is grim once again. “This is just a hunch, there’s nothing in the text to confirm it. But it talks about how the blood mages were a powerful family in Velmaran history, second only to the Andomers. The family isn’t named, but the only other magical line that would make sense…” She trails off, clearly afraid to speak the words aloud.

“The Vicants,” I finish for her, and she nods, eyes wide. My mind swirls, the information unlocking the final piece of the puzzle for me.

“We both wondered what could take down the Andomer line, what could steal a throne away from a family with the most powerful conduit in the Four Kingdoms. I think we have our answer.” She whispers the last words, so afraid and yet so courageous for putting these pieces together, for not ignoring the obvious truth sitting in front of her. Most people are content to believe the lies they’re told, to go along with the status quo for fear of the unknown. But not Genevieve. The world has used and abused her, shown so many times that adherence to the way things are is the only way to keep her safe. And yet, still, she fights back.

“Listen to me, Genevieve.” The army General is back in my voice. “You must not tell this to anyone. Don’t even reveal that I let you read through these books from Mazus. He clearly wanted me to come to these conclusions on my own, despite how dangerous they are for him. I fear there’s more going on here than we’ve uncovered.” She nods, eyes wide in fear. “I’m having dinner with him in three days. I’ll use the opportunity to see how he tries to goad me, and then I’m going to leave Velmara. I’ve discovered everything I need to, and I must warn Laurel before it’s too late. Will you—will you come with me?”