Jaeros waved a hand. “A well-timed tour that I can explain some other time. My point is, King Vesstan didn’t know until the rebellion. Tension increased each year the queen went with no heir, and when a rumor spread of your existence, only for the queen to deny it, panic and anger spread like wildfire.”

So, all those deaths, all the fighting, really had been her fault. All because her mother believed her to be some type of gods damn blessing from gods who hadn’t even been seen in centuries.

“You need to understand, Veralie. King Vesstan, like most of our people, has always believed that we are above those without power. I’m afraid he, like them, is not too keen on humans, or Aleron.”

She raised her eyes, scrunching her face up in a ‘yeah, you think?’ expression. The king had ignored every single one of Emperor Sulian’s efforts to start up trade and foster communication, so it was safe to say he wasn’t keen on them at all.

Jaeros huffed a laugh at her face, dipping his head in acceptance. “Well, I will tell you now, given the overall decrease in the crystal’s power over the years, his beliefs have only strengthened. He won’t want to use you to cure the taint, but he will.”

Jaren’s arms turned to steel around her body, his chest vibrating against her back. “Will he hurt her?” he asked, his voice a terrifying, flat tone.

His tense posture screamed that he’d do whatever it took to protect her, but she wasn’t sure what that entailed anymore. He couldn’t protect her from something that had already happened. Whether King Vesstan wished it or not, she was already connected.

“No,” Jaeros answered, eyes firm as he stared at his son, knowing what was coursing through his mind. “He’s not a monster, no matter how withdrawn he seems.”

Speaking to her, he said, “Just don’t let your hopes get too high, Veralie. He may be your father, but he will always be Father to the Throne first.”

She had no idea what to say to that, so she didn’t say anything at all, lowering her gaze to pick at her nails. Jaren said something to his father that she was too deep in her thoughts to catch, and then she heard the door open and close.

Her mother had never wanted her. Regardless of her good intentions behind the reason, the fact still remained. And it fucking stung. The only reason Vera lived at all was because of Vaneara’s probably pain-induced, crazy belief that she had no choice.

Even Jaeros and Dedryn had given her up, sending her away for a reason they still hadn’t explained.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Jaren loosened his hold around her waist and pulled back to run a hand down her spine. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah,” she stopped, realizing she’d never be able to lie to him. Not when he could feel every emotion thrashing about in her head. “No.”