“When you returned the Elfstones almost a century ago, you extracted a promise from her that if you asked to borrow them, she would allow it. That was the condition for their return.”

“So you would rely on that in making your argument to the King?”

“He is bound by his mother’s word.”

“I wouldn’t count on that, Aphen. Your grandfather is of a different mind and temperament than your great-grandmother, but he is still her son.”

“Nevertheless, we are family, and even if he doesn’t agree with my choice to come here and study with you, he respects my decision. I think he might agree because of that.”

“But all of this is pointless if the Elfstones won’t help. Why do you suddenly think they would?”

Aphenglow shook her head. “I don’t think anything. I am just considering possibilities. It would support my request if it came through you, so I am requesting permission to approach the King on the matter if I deem it useful.”

Khyber studied her quietly. Wheels within wheels. Aphenglow had something specific in mind—something she wasn’t revealing. “Very well. I give you permission. But don’t abuse it by taking unnecessary risks. And you are not to tell your grandfather or anyone else in your family what it is we are seeking. Not a hint of it. What is the second matter you wish to discuss? Another request?”

Aphenglow shook her head. “In all the excitement of finding the diary and coming back to find you awake, I forgot to tell you something else I discovered while searching through the Elven records. Not through the histories themselves, but through the ancillary records—the genealogy charts of the Elven Kings and Queens, in particular.”

“You found something else?”

“I did, although I haven’t decided what to make of it. I found that before the Omarosian line died out, it merged with the Elessedils. So the Elessedils are related to the Omarosians in a very distant way. I have kept this private because it only has to do with us. With the Elessedil family.”

Khyber was instantly certain Aphenglow was wrong about this, but she couldn’t say why. It was an instinctual reaction but one so strong that she could not ignore it. The connection between Elessedils and Omarosians was much more important that Aphenglow realized.

“We can keep this private,” she agreed. “At least until we understand more fully what it means. When you return to Arborlon, expand your search to look for something about the connection between the two families. There must be something on this. The Elessedil records are very thorough. Speak to your mother about it.”

She saw Aphenglow blanch, and she knew that her relationship with her mother had not improved. “Do what you can, Aphen,” she finished.

The young woman made a face. “I will try, Mistress.”