That made Dade pause, but he was a king raised on brutality and blood, and it was not within him to shy away from troublesome truths. “You might love her, but it’s evident to all that this marriage ended long ago.” He then led Opal to the doors and said with crystal-sharp finality, “So give Astrantia to her mate and give that love to your own.”

“Mate?” Aster asked, paling more.

Fuck.

So the mother of Rorn’s son was his mate.

Pure venom scoured down my spine, locking it as it sped through every limb. If I was furious, then I couldn’t even begin to imagine what Aster must have felt.

Stars, how I fucking hated this.

Each breath drawn burned hotter than the last. I refused to lose myself to jealousy over Aster’s reaction, but I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know if there was anything I could do.

But I knew I had to touch her. I needed to remind her I was here, so I stole her hand.

Aster said nothing, but her trembling fingers latched over mine as though she needed the tether to something real while the husband who’d hidden this from her—the husband who’d tried to keep both a wife and a mate—refused to even look at her.

Dade had stopped at the doors as though now aware of the consequences of what he’d divulged. Opal hushed him when he opened his mouth to say something more.

Though he remained where he was, Rorn hung his head between his shoulders and finally spoke. “They will need to die.” Everyone stilled at that, even his three wolves. “Both of them can no longer exist, or Marvis might eventually come for her.”

My teeth gnashed.

Before I could say it didn’t matter, that I would run from continent to continent to ensure they would never find us if need be, Dade’s boots creaked as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

A sign to stand down.

“That can be arranged,” Dade said, watching the king with both curiosity and apprehension, for he sensed what I could feel brewing—Rorn was close to snapping.

We needed to end this before we lost the ground we’d gained.

“Have this sorceress arrive before the week’s end and let it be done,” Rorn demanded, voice thickened with barely leashed fury. He then pushed away from the window and strode for Aster.

I braced, my blood and bones humming, ready to shift and lunge—

Rorn marched past her without a glance and straight through the doors.

Opal pulled Aster into a hug.

I longed to pry her free and comfort her myself, but when the swan queen rubbed her back and whispered something that sounded like, “Stars, you deserve a lifetime of peace after this,” I backed off and waited outside against the wall.