“So Mazus knows that Thorne and I are mates,” I say, and her eyes widen. She understands the statement to be the closest thing to an olive branch I can give her right now, and I think I see her lips quirk just slightly. She nods. “Is that the secret you would only tell to me? You should know that Admon also knows. We turned to him for answers. Carex knows as well.” Thorne stiffens behind me, and I realize I hadn’t told him that Carex knew about us. I inwardly smirk at the alpha-fae jealousy I’m going to have to deal with later but turn my attention back to Nemesia.

“No, that’s not the secret, though I had no intention of telling anyone but you of Mazus’s knowledge.” She takes a big breath, releasing it in a sigh to steel herself. It’s a mannerism I’m familiar with, and it brings me a bit of relief to see her returning to her usual self. “I believe Mazus is a blood mage.” Her words are firm, confident. Both Thorne and I tense, and Thorne walks to my side, our arrangement forgotten, though I can’t blame him. This was not the news we were expecting. Nemesia gives him a suspicious look but continues. “Blood magic is not what we’ve always been told it is. You must have the affinity, just like any other conduit power. You can’t just decide to practice blood magic; it has to be something you’re gifted with. And the blood magic line comes from Velmara. I believe…” she trails off, and I give her an encouraging nod to continue. Thorne sits next to me now, hand in mine and body leaning in toward Nemesia. “I believe Mazus descends from this line. What’s more, I discovered information that says the Andomers, the light channelers—your mother’s line,” she says with a nod to Thorne, “once ruled Velmara, but were forcibly overthrown by the Vicant line, the blood mages.” Thorne’s coloring has gone pale, and I can see the gears turning in his mind.

“I was always taught that the Andomers tired of ruling, so they peacefully handed over the throne,” Thorne says, clearly realizing the absurdity of the words as he says them. Nemesia doesn’t tease him, simply nods in understanding.

“Did you find any proof that Mazus is actively practicing blood magic?” I ask, but Nemesia shakes her head.