The moon was my constant companion that night. Each time I drifted back to sleep, Pyrran’s threats pulled me awake. The sun traded places with the moon. A dense fog crept in. Lioran’s kiss still lingered on my lips—a reminder of the stolen moments I would keep.
My hand sifted over the raised edges of the leather book’s embroidery. The tie slipped loose and dangled from the binding. As I opened the ruffled edge pages of the book, I told it everything.
Your mother would have been much better at this.
A tear trickled down my face almost unnoticed. It pooled on the page.
“You know my mother? I look to you for guidance and am met with cryptic answers. Who are you?”
I will share the truth when you are ready.
“I am ready now. Whoever you are—whatever you are—you can’t care enough about me to continue to leave my questions unanswered.” The pages remained blank for a moment, and then new words formed.
My breath caught as I looked away. I was terrified to see what it might reveal. Curiosity consumed me, and I read it anyway.
I am Lord Zayric of the High Court of Nythrel.
You are my daughter, Aelira.
This book was a gift, to guide you when I could not cross the wall.
I’ve thought of you every day since I laid eyes on you.
Your mother brought you to me after you were born.
It was our first and last meeting, before the war began.
The air thickened—my lungs rejected each inhale.
Myfatherwrote every word.
A storm raged inside of me, blurring my vision until it was almost impossible to make out the new words that formed. “Are you still at the High Court? Where can I find you?” A sharp, searing pain reverberated in my throat.
Where I am you cannot go—until we meet again these pages will guide you.
The book rattled against my chest with each heavy breath. The pages were still damp with tears. This whole time he kept the truth from me. He just let me tell him everything, about Lioran—about my fears.
You deserve the life you’ve dreamed of.
Do not settle for anything less.
He is not worthy of you.
Lioran protected me ever since I crossed the divide. He loved me in a way that I never thought possible, yet he called him unworthy.
I stopped directing my thoughts to the book. He knew I was here and did nothing about it.
My words can't be easy.
I feel your silence and sadness.
All that I share is to protect you.
Tears pooled on my silk nightgown, setting outlines in the fabric. My resentment rolled like thunder until I wailed.
I clutched my pillow.
The chamber door slammed open mere moments later, Lioran’s disheveled hair hung free. His silk robe lay open, exposing his bare chest—a thick scar still trailed over him. His frantic breathing echoed in my chambers.
