“Admon,” I sigh out, rubbing my hands over my face in exhaustion. “I’m going to have Nemesia moved to rooms on the lower level of the place, right above the prison. The iron below will still somewhat affect her, and I’ll station guards, but…” I remember Thorne’s words, his encouragement to own my decisions. “I want her moved today.” My words are resolute.

“I think that’s a wise decision, Your Majesty,” Admon counsels with a smile, and my shoulders rise in pride at his praise. Thorne nudges my arm to silently communicate I told you so.

“You do? Why?” I ask.

“Beyond my hesitation to believe she’s betrayed you, Nemesia is a quicker translator than me. If we have any hope of finishing the translation of the Old Fae book she brought with her, we need her working on it. I truly believe there are critical answers in it. If you still doubt her, I can spot check her work to ensure it’s a truthful interpretation of the text.”

I nod. “Coordinate her move. And inform me if there are any rumblings on the Council about the decision.” My voice reminds me of my mother, and I smile inwardly.

Admon nods. “Now, what is it that led you and Prince Hawthorne here today?”

I’d forgotten that Thorne and I had our own set of questions for Admon, so wrapped up in my thoughts of Nemesia. I struggle with where to begin, looking to Thorne for support. He jumps right in.

“The greenhouse reminded me of Eastern Velmara, though the plants are not the same,” he starts. “I’ve been experimenting with exposing the plants to my light magic, and they’ve had an incredible response. New blooms, larger leaves, growing taller and wider.”

“By new blooms, he means plants I’ve never seen flower have suddenly sprouted breath-taking blossoms,” I add, and he grins. Admon only continues to look on with interest.

“I was showing Laurel, and we… uh… I…” he trails off, remembering what exactly led to our discovery.

“He showed me the progress he’s been making on combining light and water channeling. He lit up the greenhouse in a misty glow,” I finish for him. Admon has a gleam in his eye that tells me he knows exactly what we were doing, and I’m completely mortified, but continue anyway. “The plants themselves started glowing and continued to do so even after Thorne stopped channeling. Even the light and mist remained. And the magic… it felt like him.” Admon’s expression looks far away, like he’s remembering something from a long time ago. He shakes whatever it is from his mind and smiles inquisitively.

“That is curious indeed. I’ll stop by the greenhouse today and take a look. I suspect the answers we need are in the books Nemesia brought with her.”