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I love her.

I love this woman. Have loved her for some time. The revelation is not a welcome one, but tis true nonetheless.

Aldwine says nothing in response to her, turning to me instead.

“Who are you?”

I brace myself and answer, “I would break a vow by telling you.”

Aldwine is remarkably calm as I continue to deny him. He looks from me to Hilla.

“I know not either,” she says. “He has not told me.”

I hate the pain in her voice as she speaks those words. But there is no help for it.

Suddenly, Aldwine shoots to his feet. I think he means to toss us from this solar chamber. Instead, he paces, his hands covering his face as he walks in circles. He stops to look at Hilla and then resumes his pacing. Making his way to the window, Aldwine tosses open the wooden shutters. Cursing, he ignores us as Hilla and I exchange an uneasy glance.

When he finally turns back to us, I am surprised to see him smiling.

“If you tell me, I will go with you.”

Hilla gasps.

“If you do not, I will remain here. Lives will be lost in the ensuing battle for Galfrid’s throne.”

“A fact you knew already, before we came here,” I say.

“A fight,” he says, “that is not mine. But you miss the point of my condition, Aiken. Lives will be lost if you do not reveal your identity. As I very much intend to remain in Murwood End otherwise.”

My hand freezes on the goblet I’d been about to drink from.

He knows.

“Say it, Aiken. You break no vow in doing so.”

I must be sure. “If I do not tell you, then you remain in Murwood End? But if I reveal myself, you will return with us to Meria? To claim your title as heir to the King of Meria?”

It seems Hilla had something to do with this stunning reversal. He looks at her, Hilla completely bewildered now, and winks. “I have been convinced to do so, aye.”

I’ve not once said the words aloud. But the condition has been met, and so I brace myself and speak my truth.

“I am a member of the Legion of Ash.”

34

Hilla

Nay, it cannot be.

Aiken avoids looking at me, and I am glad for it. If Aldwine’s words were true, the future of this Isle may have just been altered in this chamber. And yet, I can think of nothing beyond Aiken’s revelation.

Aldwine echoes my own thoughts.

“That cannot be. There is no longer a Legion of Ash.”

Aiken does not refute him, but tis clear, he is not jesting. How is this possible?

“I know better than most, for my father was a member many, many years ago, in his youth. But they’ve disbanded, their power having grown too strong. He told me himself, the last time the Legion met was . . .”