“And you believe this is tied to what, exactly?” Lady Celeste asked.
Gaviel shared an understanding look with Vera before addressing the room. “I believe you already suspect the truth, my lady. I think everyone here does.” His gaze swept over each person, landing on Alaric momentarily. “Though it has been quiet for centuries, we suspect magic, dark magic, is at the heart of this. Velenshire has always been its final stronghold in the southern lands, and if the balance there has been disturbed…”
“Then we have far greater problems than abandoned caravans,” Lord Duskwood finished grimly.
Once more, a weighted quiet pressed between them. Only the Stonebridge and Duskwood families, ancient pillars of Caltheris, carried the knowledge of magic’s existence and the witches of Velenshire. Alaric had grown up hearing the story of two queens said to dwell in the frozen wastes of Nerathar, though no human had dared venture that far, nor cared to brave the brutal cold to uncover whether the stories were true. Even when his parents had recently revealed the reality to him, he’d struggled to believe it. After all, if there were any fact behind the old tales, whatever power those queens held had never reached beyondtheir icy domain.
“If magic is stirring,” Celeste said softly, “this knowledge cannot leave this room. Not even my children can know. If the other lords or noble families catch wind of this, they’ll fall into a frenzy. Worse, some might act recklessly and draw the attention of creatures we are not prepared to face. This has always been our burden to keep, and Lord and Lady Shaw of Velenshire expect us to do just that.”
Lord Duskwood leaned back, his expression grave. “Then we must act quickly and quietly. The borders of Velenshire need to be investigated before this escalates. We cannot risk this becoming a scandal at court.”
Vera arched a brow. “And how do you suggest we keep this from spreading? It’s courting season—families talk. I trust Alaric to hold his tongue, but what about his future wife? His future family? Will we place this burden on another house? There are plenty of women out there who wouldn’t think twice about spilling secrets.”
Lord Duskwood glanced briefly at Alaric, then back to the others. “We stabilize the situation near Velenshire before the darkness spreads any further. And… we secure the bond between our families. A union. One that strengthens our loyalty and keeps our secrets protected.”
Alaric frowned, puzzled. What was that supposed to mean?
“Our families are among the very few who know the truth about Velenshire’s magical history. For generations, it’s been a secret passed only to the next heir, and since there’s been no need to speak of it openly, things have remained quiet for a long time. But the recent rumors leave us no choice—we must address it.” Lord Aron said to Alaric. “Now that you fully understand the gravity of this, and with trade becoming more unstable by the day, we must focuson protecting that knowledge while we gather information and prepare our next steps.”
Lord Duskwood turned his gaze upon his father. “An arrangement between my daughter and the heir of your family would secure that secrecy. It would keep the knowledge within our bloodlines and ensure that no outside family, no foreign power, ever learns of what truly lies in Velenshire and beyond the southern territories.”
His father held steady, his mother mute with downcast eyes. The truth was plain to them all.
“You are proposing a marriage?” Gaviel asked in confirmation.
“Yes,” Aron replied. “Evelyne and Alaric.”
Alaric’s heart sank. Evelyne, his friend since childhood, was too fierce and independent to suffer being made a pawn. She would despise it, yet the arrangement lay before him, inescapable.
He cleared his throat. “With respect, Lord Duskwood, Evelyne isn’t one to accept such decisions lightly. Nor, frankly, am I.”
“You misunderstand. This isn’t about preference; it’s a necessity. Your family carries knowledge that, if mishandled, could unravel Caltheris and the entire southern lands. As your mother pointed out, we cannot risk that secret falling into the wrong hands. A union ensures that risk never becomes a reality.” Lord Aron said.
Alaric’s thoughts reeled. Evelyne—her laughter, her wit, her strength—she was everything he could ever want, and more beautiful than words could capture. To choose her as his wife would have been the greatest fortune of his life. Butthis? Thismarriage alliancerobbed them of choice, turning something sacred into duty. His gaze swept the room: his father’s jaw was set. The decision had already been made, and that was what cut deepest of all.
“Evelyne will hate this,” he said quietly.
“That may be,” Lady Celeste replied, “but she will understand, in time, the importance of what we ask.”
“I don’t think she will,” Alaric murmured, more to himself than anyone else. His gaze remained lowered for a moment before he slowly lifted it to meet Lord Duskwood’s. Then he gave a slight nod.
He would speak to Evelyne, though he had no idea how he would manage to convey this. One thing was sure: neither his life nor hers would ever be the same again.
Lady Duskwood fixed him with an assessing stare. “If you’re struggling with this arrangement, Alaric, perhaps the solution is simple: win her heart. If love is what you desire in a wife, give her a reason to love you in return.”
“What? You expect me towooher?” Alaric echoed, disbelief plain in his voice. He swallowed hard and turned to his father, hoping for the faintest protest. Gaviel only inclined his head, affirming the necessity of the match.
He couldn’t believe it. He’d known his parents were encouraging marriage this year, but he hadn’t expected it to come to this. The idea of deceiving Evelyne, disguising obligation as love, left him deeply uneasy. He had hoped for something genuine, something real.Foolish,he thought bitterly.Pathetic,he corrected himself. He was naiveto have ever entertained such notions.
Alaric schooled his features into a tight smile and, with a voice steadier than his heart allowed, declared, “I shall wed Lady Evelyne. It will be my honor.”
“Splendid,” Celeste said with a clap of her hands. “Then it’s decided.”
Before she could continue, Lord Duskwood cut in, shifting the conversation to the investigations planned for Velenshire, like Evelyne’s marriage had been nothing more than a box to check off his agenda. Alaric remained present in the room but distant in spirit as thoughts clouded his mind. How could he face Evelyne now? The idea of lying to her gnawed at him. His honor demanded that he follow through, but his heart questioned whether the cost was too high.
***
Cillian sank deeper into the steaming bath, his muscles relaxing as the heat consumed him. The sounds of the bustling household faded into a distant hum, leaving him in a rare moment of solitude. The healers, with their endless fussing and tonics, had finally left him alone. It was the first time in days that he could simplybe.
