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“There are similar magics across all clans,” Sander said. “We mirror each other in many ways. There are glamour fae who have the ability to heal the land, much like Livia. There are spell casters in the alver clans that mimic sea witches. There might be spells that mimic Skadi’s affinity.”

Jonas draped an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “I feel the threat, Bloodsinger. The pull that there is danger against the Ever. This isn’t over.”

Darkness lined my friend’s voice. Jonas had taken upon himself a curse of sorts when sea fae battled elven. It bound him to protect the Ever Kingdom.

To know the compulsion was rising within him was unsettling.

“There are certain wards around the borders of the Ever Seas,” Erik said. “But I want more ships patrolling every border. I want more protections. I’ll speak to the sea witches the moment we return to the Royal City, inform them they will need to ward against a rogue witch. These creatures don’t come close to our folk.”

Murmurs of agreement followed.

“What was it you mentioned about the woman who grew that mystical garden?” Sander asked after a moment.

“Her name was Eeva,” I said. “I don’t believe she knows what horrors are befalling the fae.”

“Aye.” Nightseer nodded. “Was a quiet lass but seemed to have a good heart.”

“No, you called her something,” Sander said, snapping his fingers on one hand. “It’s familiar. What was it again?”

“Veri Ikuinen,” Tait said.

For a drawn pause, Sander did not respond, merely crossed his arms over his chest, a crinkle of befuddlement over his brow. “I’ve read of Veri folk.”

Jonas scoffed. “Wholly unsurprising, brother.”

“Be glad for it, but I’ll be honest, what you’ve told us of her makes little sense. Veri Ikuinen were featured in a haunt tale Maj gave us when we turned thirteen.” Sander looked back at Jonas. “Remember?”

“I was not as interested in books, but yes. Before a haunt festival, Maj said we were old enough to start hearing more frightening legends.” Jonas gave his wife a wicked grin and flicked his brows.

“I would like to read these,” Skadi said, “see if they are as terrifying as elven tales.”

Sander waved his hand. “The point is, I read one with that name. I don’t understand how the garden relates to all this, because in the stories, well, Veri Ikuinen were the monsters. They were blood drinkers.”

37

The Illusionist

Sander left the Tower with Gavyn, Jonas, and Skadi, setting sail to the Glass Isles, where some of the island clans kept a repository of myths and lore. The hope was to discover more on Veri Ikuinen legends.

The rest of us had plans to sail to the Royal City on the morrow with Erik and Livia.

While the king saw to the well-being of Seableeder with the rest of the crew, Tait stepped onto the balcony of the upper room, offering me and Livia a chance to speak.

“Uncle Ari has hardly spoken a word since he arrived,” Livia said.

“Oh no.” My heart ached at the thought of the pain my mother and father had endured these weeks.

Livia poured a horn of sweet mead for each of us, then handed one to me. “Daj keeps sending assurances through sea witch shells, insisting this ordeal will be well, like it was with me, but”—Livia paused—“I’m merely glad no more time will go by with everyone wondering.”

My father was a man of many words, my mother the calm in his chaos. If Ari Sekundär did not speak, it typically meant he was lost in rather murderous thoughts.

He told me there were two recollections of when he truly fell silent: when the whole of his family was slaughtered during the fae and mortal wars and when he was bespelled into a fae sleep to stop a fatal curse from spreading in his blood.

I had hope by the time I greeted them, my daj and his frenzied words would be as wild as always.

The Ever Queen sat on a satin chaise near the hearth. “We may want to prepare your parents for these differences you’ve brought with you, meaning a certain man who cannot peel his gaze from you.”

Livia’s brow arched from where she peered at me over the rim of her horn.