My father stills, and as his eyes burn with an icy rage, I know I’ve gotten under his skin—a rare occurrence. “Leave us,” he says to his advisors with a quiet intensity. I dust imaginary lint from my shoulders as they leave, feigning disinterest. “You do not get to decline,” my father says with a dangerous edge to his voice. His power ripples off him in waves I can almost feel. If I were anyone else, anyone weaker than him in power, I wouldn’t be able to resist the nudge of aether lacing his voice. But I’m stronger than him, a fact that has led to his hatred of me since the day my magic appeared.

“You will go to Thayaria,” he continues. “Otherwise, Fionn will suddenly find himself on guard duty in the Nivan Desert. And Silene will find herself betrothed to another, someone I can assure you will not pretend to sleep with her every few days so she can go cavort with her other female lovers. She will do her duty to her kingdom and produce heirs, with you or someone else, or die trying.” Every muscle in my body is tense and alert. I must pause for too long, because he bares his teeth in a menacing smile. “I know all about the little deal you and Silene have struck. I know that she doesn’t care at all about the common whore you’ve taken on as a mistress. A shopkeeper. So beneath you, Hawthorne. I’ve been content to ignore it, knowing that eventually the two of you would have no choice but to marry. And what you do in your bedroom is none of my business as long as a legitimate heir is produced. But I grow weary of your antics, and I’ve found another purpose for you.”

My mind races, trying to find a solution. I could offer him something else, but there’s nothing he wants from me. When my father makes his mind up about something, there’s no changing it. And while I don’t believe for an instant that he truly wants me to spy for him— he would never trust me with something so important—I will play along. For now.

“Fine,” I hiss out. “I’ll play pretend as your emissary and report back. But Fionn and Silene come with me.” I will not leave them here for him to decide what to do with while I’m gone. My father considers for a moment, then nods in agreement. I almost slump from the chair in relief. “Why now? What’s made you decide on this arrangement after so much time?”