Carex only shakes his head. “I don’t know. Admon came to my room and asked me to accompany him somewhere. I swear I didn’t want to go, didn’t want to disobey your orders. But Admon insisted. Said it was urgent. Then he led me to the throne room, where Mazus already was, sitting on your throne. Then Admon told me to find you.”

Suspicion twists through my gut like a serpent. I’m worried this is a trap Carex has laid. But if it’s not a ruse… The risk is too great to ignore. Krantz’s words echo through my mind, and a sinking feeling enters my gut. The one you least expect. You’ll find out soon enough. I meet Thorne’s eyes, and I can feel through the bond that we’ve come to the same conclusion.

“Stay here,” Thorne says to me with a voice that once again flickers with the aether-voice, but I ignore it as I let out a haughty laugh.

“Absolutely not.”

He only sighs. “Knew you’d say that. Didn’t really expect you to listen to me, but I had to try.”

Fionn whispers with Allyssia, but he finishes and comes to our side. “She’ll stay here for now,” he says, nodding to the woman. “I’m coming with you.” His tone leaves no room for argument, so I nod.

“Get Nemesia, and meet us in the throne room,” I order Carex. If Mazus wants a fight, I need every powerful ally I have at my side, even ones I’m still not sure about. Taking a deep breath, I look into Thorne’s green eyes once more, letting them give me strength, before willing the aether to take us to the male we both hate.

When we arrive, Mazus sits on my throne, out of place in the dark and moody room in his bright gold attire. He smiles as we step cautiously into the room, eyes matching my mate’s, and it makes me want to hurl. Admon stands beside him, and my heart sinks. The one you least expect. The male who has watched over me like a father for the last three hundred years has betrayed me. It’s the only explanation for why he would be standing here, why he would have released Carex from his rooms and told him to find me.

“Welcome, Laurel,” Mazus says with mock cordiality. He nods to Thorne. “Son.”

“What are you doing here?” Thorne says with a lazy drawl, crossing his arms and feigning nonchalance. His ability to look unruffled right now is impressive.

“I thought I’d pay you two a visit, congratulate you on discovering a mating bond,” Mazus says, and I stiffen. I’d barely had a moment to process the news Nemesia had brought about Mazus’s knowledge of our mating bond. And now he’s here, aether-knows for what purpose.