Page 120 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“No one can remember him from before the breaking,” Etienne says. “But he did show up with money and helped fix up some areas of the settlements while also establishing many of the buildings you see. And then he built himself this.”

Etienne pulls out a key and unlocks the gate, swinging it open for us.

The short walk leads us to a modest home two stories high. Though it’s not extravagant, it’s clearly well tended and loved, as evidenced by the verdant garden, blooming with red roses, and the sculptures that dot the pristine green lawn.

“Why have I never heard of this place?” I ask, and Etienne shrugs.

“He mostly keeps to himself. Doesn’t like to mingle too much.”

“And where is he now?” Lor asks.

“Rhiannon has a seaside villa in Alluvion,” he says. “Some rich suitor gifted it to her years ago. She offered it to him for a few weeks, and he jumped at the chance to enjoy a little beach holiday.”

I cast my gaze about. Though the home is nice, this forest is gloomy. A sense of foreboding hangs in the air, and I understand why he took Rhiannon up on the offer.

Etienne swings open the door to find Rhiannon already on her way down the hall.

“Lor! Nadir!” she exclaims. “It’s so good to see you again.”

She wraps Lor in a warm embrace and then folds me into a hug. It has a motherly sort of affection to it, and the act makes a knot swell in my throat. I need to see my own mother soon. It’s been too long, and I fear for her safety given my father’s recent behavior. But I can’t leave Lor’s side either.

Rhiannon talks a mile a minute as she leads us up the stairs, chattering with excitement about meeting Willow and Tristan. She then takes Lor and me down a hall, showing us which rooms she’s designated for the other rulers of Ouranos.

Nothing is very fancy—they’re all used to more luxurious surroundings—but I don’t think anyone will be insulted by what we’re offering. They all know there’s very little left of Heart, and quite frankly, this is nicer than I was anticipating.

“I saved this room for you,” she says, swinging open the door. “Etienne might have mentioned that you two would be sharing?”

She cocks her head and studies us.

“Yeah,” Lor says, looking at me. “You remember when you told me my grandparents were mates?”

Rhiannon’s eyes widen a fraction. “Of course?”

“When you told me about their magic reacting . . . well, I realized that Nadir might be mine.”

“I remember you started acting strangely,” she says before a wide smile spreads over her face. “Oh well, isn’t this wonderful? After you’re settled, I have so many questions for you. If you don’t mind? I’ve always been fascinated by mate bonds.”

“Sure,” Lor and I both say. After everything she’s done for us, it feels like the least we can do.

Rhiannon opens the door and gestures us inside, and that’s when Lor gasps. This room offers a view of the Heart Castle in the distance, the white spires peeking over the tops of the trees.

She presses a hand to her chest and swallows as my hand settles on her lower back.

“You okay?” I ask, and she nods.

“I want to see it again,” she says. “Last time—”

“Let me send Mael and Etienne to do a quick sweep and make sure it’s safe.”

I don’t bother trying to talk her out of it. I already know what will happen if I do.

“Willow and Tristan can come too.”

“Of course,” I say.

She looks up at me and gives me a watery, if grateful, smile.

“Thank you.”