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Elias nodded. “Regardless of how you feel about him now, no woman should have to see the man who raised her slaughtered.”

“He didn’t raise me,” I said, my voice hard.

Elias looked up, curious.

“He barely spoke to me,” I said. “I was never good enough for him—never ladylike enough, too opinionated, too cold. Barion is the one who raised me. The duke always seemed like he didn’t want anything to do with me.” I chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “I guess that much was true.”

“You’d see him pay for his crimes?” Elias asked.

“I’d do it myself,” I said. “If given the opportunity.”

Now it was Elias’ turn to chuckle. He set his hand at my hip and tugged me in between the open spread of his legs. Then he took the mug of coffee from my hand and took a sip. I huffed in faux indignation.

“Would you actually?” he asked.

I knew he was thinking of the cave, of my hand wrapped around the knife, hesitating as I looked down at Draunar.

“I would,” I said. “With you at my side. Knowing it wasn’t just for my revenge—but for us. For Frasia. I would. Without hesitation.”

“Spoken like a warrior,” he said. He set the mug of coffee aside and pulled me down again to kiss me gently. “I still want you to stay here.”

“I still won’t.”

He sighed. “Somehow I knew this is how this would go.”

“Do I need to remind you how our sparring went during the Choice?” I teased.

He hummed. “It’s a fond memory of mine.”

“I will be an asset,” I said. “I know those tunnels the best of all of us.”

“I should order you to stay behind,” Elias said with a small smile, “but I have a feeling you’d find a way around that.”

I bit back a smile. “Would you rather me come with you, or sneak into the tunnels on my own?”

“You’re impossible,” he said with a fond shake of his head.

The bright clang of a heavy bell rang through the quiet morning. We broke apart and hurried back to the front of the building. “Reinforcements!” a lookout called from atop the tower by the gate. “Reinforcements have arrived!”

The gate swung open, slow and heavy. Two white horses trotted through first, in shining steel armor with pale blue detailing. Even from this distance, I’d know that white-blonde hair anywhere. Adora led a battalion of Starcrest wolves, marching in step behind her.

Thaddeus hurried out of the arched doorway. “Starcrest,” he said. “Duskmoon won’t be far behind.”

The horses approached, then nickered as they came to a stop in front of the building. Adora leaped off her white mare.

“Adora,” I said, “it’s so—”

“Reyna,” she cried, and threw her arms around my neck. The force of her hug nearly knocked the wind from me, and I grinned as I returned her affection. She pulled away and touched my face, looking dangerously close to tears. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again. I was so grateful when the hawks sent word.”

The man astride the second white horse stepped off, landing heavily on the dusty earth. He was tall, taller even than Elias, broad-shouldered and dressed in steel armor inlaid with moonstone. A broadsword hung on his hip, with a cloak trimmed in furs of the same color hung on his shoulders. His face was lined with age, crow’s feet and laugh lines, but his expression was stern. He had short dark hair and the same blue eyes as Adora.

The same blue eyes as me.

The same nose. The same wide shoulders. The same high cheekbones.

“This is my father,” Adora said. “Lord Ealric of Starcrest.”

“Your Highness,” he said. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

I was stunned to silence. He looked so much like me—was it possible? I looked to Adora, but she only pressed her lips together curiously.

“Ealric!” Thaddeus said gregariously. “Come inside, please, you’ve had a long journey. I’ll have Artin take your men to the barracks. This way, this way. You as well, Elias, we have much to discuss.”

Elias nodded to Adora and me, and then followed Thaddeus and Ealric.

“Adora,” I said quietly, “do you think—”

“Lady Adora?” Kodan stepped out of the building, still looking exhausted, but a little better than when she’d arrived, after a meal and some coffee. She smiled broadly at Adora. “How was your journey?”

Adora flushed slightly. “No trouble whatsoever. We were grateful to receive word from the hawk at the right moment.”

“Good,” Kodan said. Her gaze lingered on Adora. “It’s rare I see you without your finery,” she said. “It suits you.”

Adora flushed harder and smoothed out the heavy canvas of her riding gear. “Please, it’s just for functionality—”

The bell sounded again, and Adora whipped around, clearly grateful for the distraction. “Duskmoon was close behind us,” she said.

Whatever curiosities I had about Adora and her father would have to wait.

The gate opened again, and Duskmoon marched in on foot. Fina led them, with a general at her side. The Duskmoon battalion was dressed in leather armor and thumped their fists against their chests rhythmically in greeting. Fina bounded up the road, and her general rolled his eyes, as if used to this, before jogging after her.

“Reyna!” she shouted. “Adora!” She flung her arms around both of our necks, pulling us in close. “I’m so glad to see you both. I was so worried.” Then she pulled away and nodded to her general. “This is my aunt, General Sida.”

Again Thaddeus stepped out and welcomed Duskmoon, then sent the battalion to the barracks and welcomed Sida into the main room. With some reluctance, Kodan stepped back inside as well.