Eldar set his cutlery down, his face stoic. “We did what we had to do to protect our people.”
“How does working for Scions protect yours?” Reagan asked.
“We have an agreement,” Anife cut in, earning a sharp glare from her brother that did nothing to deter her. “We give them what they need, and they leave us alone.”
“And have they?” Reagan asked.
“For the most part,” Eldar replied. “It isn’t only information about you. Most of it concerns the human lands. Whatever Cahir is planning, it involves humans.”
“So the disappearances I mentioned yesterday,” Reagan said, forcing his temper down, “you already knew about them.”
Eldar dipped his chin.
Reagan’s nostrils flared. “You chose your safety over everyone else. Humans paid the price.My peoplepaid the price. And the Order walked away stronger for it.”
“It was either humans or us,” Anife snapped. “We had to choose.”
Reagan swore under his breath. They were living inside an illusion of safety.
“This is what will happen,” Reagan said, the room falling quiet. “I won’t speak of your part in giving information to the Order to help them tamper with my estate’s curse. And I won’t give Nova Malory cause to punish Banfgaard.”
Iqbal’s sneer deepened.
“In return,” Reagan continued, eyes fixed on Eldar, “you will give us your resources. You will give us information on the Order’s hideouts. And you won’t relay anything about our plans to them. I won’t take your word for it either. We will swear a binding oath.”
Eldar studied him, measuring every word.
“Wait,” Iqbal said, lifting a hand. “How did you come by this information?”
“You have your spies, Uncle,” Finn replied simply. “And we have our diviners.”
“Time and again we have tried to preserve peace,” Eldar said. “Yet it seems an impossible pursuit.” He turned to Reagan. “You intend to act with or without us. We cannot shield all of Banfgaard from mageborn threats, but if this alliance grants us battle mages, we will swear the oath in good faith.”
“Wondrous news,” Reagan said dryly. “I’m glad you found your sense.” He rose from his chair without having touched any of the food. “Now, have your staff or whoever you need begin drafting a list of the Order’s locations. We’ll need paper and ink to set the terms of this alliance here and now. And make no mistake, Eldar. I won’t forget this.”
Chapter 38
Jane
He was awake.
“Where’s Joy?” I asked, my voice cracking like a frayed rope as I strode forward.
My head spun from being flung back to the Hall, disoriented by how abruptly I’d left Banfgaard. Any thoughts of alliances and elves and spies scattered away. All that remained was the echo of the deer’s voice, still ringing in my head.
“She’s with him,” Cerridwen said. She fell into step beside me as we moved down the corridor into the infirmary wing, unerringly guiding me as if she knew I wouldn’t find my way on my own in this state.
He was awake.
Inside the ward, Joy sat at his bedside with her back to the doorway, while my father listened to her speak. His eyes were open, creased at the corners, fixed on her with a weary alertness. He hadn’t yet lifted his head from the bed.
“Where’s Hildegard?” I asked Cerridwen, noting only one other healer at the far end of the corridor.
“She’ll be back soon,” Cerridwen replied, resting a hand on my shoulder. “You can already talk to him.”
My throat dried as I nodded and stepped into the room. They both turned.
Early summer light spilled through the window, illuminating the faint colour that had returned to his skin. His golden hair, streaked with silver, lay matted and slightly longer than when I’d last seen him months ago. Before I’d left for the fair.
