He dug straight in. “Apparently, it was this Marvis’ grandfather who was one of the first to perish from the plague that swept across the Isle of Emerald. Loving neighbors and companions then became enemies. We do not fall prey to illness, so of course, the fae were to blame. The human royals and many within their kingdom believed they had been cursed by faeries, and they began to retaliate. The emerald king went to the new human king to ask for help in putting an end to the madness, but he and his warriors were slain, and his son, Helvectus, was then crowned king.”

I refrained from shifting in the chair.

“But this plague continued to take human lives. Helvectus was unable to squash their grief and anger with niceties such as peace talks and the offer of remedies, nor did the young king harbor the patience of his late father. Fearing the illness would spread, more humans arrived by the boatload from neighboring mortal lands to assist in ridding the Isle of Emerald of such evil creatures.” Berk laughed, dry and rasped. “A grave mistake, for Helvectus had had enough.”

“So it was he, the late emerald king, who had Marvis’s family destroyed,” I needlessly affirmed.

Berk nodded, gazing at the fire. “Fed up, Helvectus killed every single one of them himself, including that of any relatives, then he and his brethren destroyed their palace. Things settled for some years, but it was only a matter of time before Marvis and his military grew, and such brashness caught up with King Helvectus…” Sighing, he waved his hand. “His younger brother was then crowned king. And on and on it shall go until no royal blood remains.”

Another minute passed in silence before he added quietly, “Talk may state that this King Marvis wants to avenge the death of his family, but some things are more valuable than vengeance. Many mortals cannot tolerate having faeries for neighbors, for they do not wish to live in fear.”

We both sat with that truth for searing moments, the slow thud of my heart warning me to cool down. To move away from the fire. From this entire conversation I’d stupidly encouraged.

From this sickness I couldn’t remember ever feeling before.

“I truly do not think it will cease,” Berk murmured. “The fighting. Not until one side has thoroughly conquered the other. Like pests that won’t die. You leave a few breathing”—he scratched at the bristle lining his jaw—“well, you earn yourself hundreds more.”

Gnawing worry tried to drown the anger as I sat there, doing my best not to let any of it show.

Aster knew exactly where to find me. She had the ability to come to me whenever she wished.

Yet I knew she would not return.

She’d chosen him. Her husband. Whoever the fuck the idiot piece of undeserving shit was.