Nakira screamed her brains out, sending the morning birds scattering. She called for Daddy, whose heavy footsteps shook the floors as he moved through the house. Erisa pressed her pillow against her ears. She had to find a new place to live—and quickly. The child was unbearable. But she was unemployed, and the reparation cheque hadn’t cleared yet.

  Grecko thundered with laughter, letting out the ho-ho-ho he reserved for particularly satisfying news. He called for Frema, who was far more composed, though even she had a certain edge in her voice that piqued Erisa’s curiosity. She joined them in the living room and asked what all the commotion was about.

  Her father folded the newspaper and tossed it to her. She unfolded it and read the headline:

  A UNION BETWEEN THE STARS?

  It sounded like a tabloid story, but this was the Henrikia Daily, a national newspaper. She scanned the article several times, expecting some sneaky trick from the writers to make the story seem bigger than it really was. But there was no trick. The story was as real as it could get: Ashamel was getting married to a foreigner. There had to be a catch somewhere.

  Erisa arrived at the House of Sentry early in the morning. Mariel was absent, attending to business in Valentina. From there, she would visit the Church to defend her case against Helen Sorel, followed by meetings with contractors and city planners alongside her vice chancellor. Erisa did not leave Mariel’s office, despite the clerks’ insistence, nor even when the security team got involved. They told her there was no assurance Mariel would come to the office that day. It was Erisa’s time to waste.

  Mariel eventually arrived, near the end of the workday. The sun still hung in the sky, casting a dull halo behind her head. After finishing a glass of water, Mariel relaxed in her seat as if she had only now noticed Erisa on the other side of the desk.

  “How are you, Ms Zeal?” said Mariel. “I can answer that for myself,” she added, smiling. “You’re doing splendidly. Your time on leave has served you well.”

  “What are you up to?” asked Erisa.

  Mariel feigned ignorance. Erisa did not budge. Seeing it was useless, Mariel folded.

  “People get married, Ms Zeal,” she said. “The least you can do is be happy for my niece.”

  “Is Ashey happy about this?”

  “You should try therapy to help with your reparative tendencies toward my niece. Your help is not welcome.”

  “It is your philosophy to do the opposite of what Schemel wants, right? This looks like something Schemel would do in exchange for power.”

  Erisa had heard more than she needed. She stood to leave.

  “Can I ask you a question, Ms Zeal?” said Mariel.

  Erisa reached for the door but didn’t open it just yet. She turned around and tried to remain as calm as possible. “I’m listening,” she said.

  “A lifeguard saves a drowning child because, to the lifeguard, life is sacred. At the same time, in a similar pool, another lifeguard saves a drowning child—but he does it because he knows he’ll be compensated for his deed. The outcome is the same: they both save the child, they both get paid. Which of them is more honourable, in your opinion?”

  “The one who acts because life is sacred.”

  “If my sister were in my position, she would sell my daughter for her own gain. But I’m not marrying Ashey off because I want more power—I’m doing it for Ashey’s own safety.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “I have inherited enemies from my sister. Enemies I am too weak to face alone. I need allies now more than ever. Emperor Xenerisis will keep us safe when our families become one.”

  Mariel’s files flew into the air with a gust of wind. The next moment, a ghostly presence entered the room. Verimae slapped a newspaper onto Mariel’s desk and pressed her hand down on it. A flock of clerks rushed in, apologising to Mariel for being unable to hold back the fae girl.

  “Why is everyone so upset about this news?” said Mariel, gushing. “Ashamel is most likely to get married once she’s done with school, anyway.”

  “She is far too young to get married. And to give her to the Yunnish of all people...” Verimae flared.

  “Rheina married Yuna when Yuna was Ashey’s age,” said Mariel. “We don’t have laws against child marriage in this country.”

  Verimae froze into icy rage. Murderous intent radiated from the fae. Mariel could sense it too. This was personal.

  “Do not speak of things you know nothing of,” Verimae said, and left.

  “Kalin requested I lock Verimae back in her glass house,” Mariel said quietly. “I told him it would be unfair since she has done nothing to merit imprisonment. Schemel locked her up, so I set her free.” She said it to convince herself. Mariel had not been the one to free Verimae—the fae had set herself free. “Perhaps he can give me a good reason to lock her back up.”

  “Does Kalin know of any weaknesses she has?” asked Erisa.

  “That’s for you to find out,” said Mariel. “Follow her. Make sure she doesn’t give me any trouble over Ashamel.”

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  It was far too difficult a task to accomplish. Erisa gave up before she started. The fae was far more powerful than she let on and could probably sense from two blocks away that Erisa was following her. According to Verimae, she was not a swayer and could not read minds. It was time to put that to the test.

  Erisa joined the fae at the bus stop. “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “I am visiting the Home of Heroes,” Verimae said. “It will be my first trip back since I left.”

  “Can I join you?” asked Erisa.

  Verimae nodded a couple of times. “I would love that.”

  It was always a pleasant experience visiting the Home of Heroes, with its clear skies and peaceful quiet. The buildings were pristine and grand—places Erisa was apparently not worthy of. Verimae led the way across a short, arching bridge. Beneath it, a crystal-clear stream flowed, revealing the pebbles below. Yellowing leaves drifted on the surface, floating downstream. They had fallen from the thick, gray branches above, undisturbed by wind. Kalin Vicious’ home might be the one on the small hill up ahead.

  “Have you ever read the yellow books, Ms Zeal? They hold records of the Sorels’ history.”

  “Maybe you can explain this mess better than Mariel,” said Erisa. “What do the Yunnish have to gain from this marriage?”

  “To restore the heart of Yuna. Nothing more.”

  “Can’t the emperor find a distant relative somewhere in Yuna? I’m sure there are plenty of girls throwing themselves at the prince.”

  “If there were, they would’ve been found by now.”

  “Why are the only Sorels in the world found here in Henrikia?”

  “Rheina, the reason for everything. He promised Lady Yuna the City of Frey as a wedding gift. That land is now part of what your people call the UCL.”

  “Go on.”

  “Yuna and her family were to rule over the people of Frey, a mandate enforced by Rheina’s position as king of Dominus. Confining the upper class under the authority of foreigners did not win Yuna and her family any favours in Frey.”

  “After Shaphet killed Rheina, Yuna and her family were massacred, orchestrated by the nobles of Frey Society. By the time Fren Rheina learned what had happened, it was too late. She saved only one of Yuna’s descendants—a young boy who would become the first Sorel.”

  “Varmel.”

  “One day, he would invent a spell so powerful he could wipe out his sworn enemies. That’s how the City of Frey crumbled to dust.”

  “I thought he killed them all because he had gone mad.”

  “He was mad,” Verimae said. “No one right in the head would cast Sovisansel.”

  Kalin’s home was modest, built entirely of wood with two floors and a small porch where a coffee table held a book left open, reading glasses perched on top. Yellow leaves swirled across the cobblestones as the wind lifted them, circling around Kalin, who was upside down on the personal training grounds, balancing on his index fingers.

  “You’ve saved me the trouble of finding you, fae,” he said, spotting them. “Before you speak a word, let’s lock you back in your cage.”

  “That is no way to treat a lady, Ren Vicious,” Verimae replied. “Have I offended you in the past?”

  Kalin dropped to the ground without breaking a breath, spinning his legs and throwing precise strikes, his movements a seamless display of skill. “What has she told you?” he asked.

  It took Erisa a moment to realize he was addressing her. “That you could help settle my mind on some issues,” she lied. “I trust no one knows more about the Sorels than you.”

  Kalin launched into a flurry of attacks, fists and feet moving faster than the wind, dodging imaginary enemies with a series of uppercuts and spinning kicks. Even the wind seemed to struggle to keep up.

  “What do you want to know, Ms Zeal?”

  “What happens when the Xenerisis family gets their hands on a Sorel?”

  “Yuna will celebrate for a year. The common people speak of that day to come in their homes. If it happened now, Felis would be honoured as the emperor who restored the heart of Yuna. Then the couple will have as many children as possible.”

  “Terell and her children were in Yuna for close to ten years. How did they stay unbothered for so long?”

  “Marcel has received offers from the Yunnish government several times—to give up his wife or first-born daughter for money. He refused, and their life has been difficult as a consequence.”

  “How so?”

  “Terell has still not received a work permit. Their family must rely solely on her husband’s income. Marcel’s finances are under constant scrutiny by tax regulators. I am glad they have returned—it would be difficult to see them leave again.”

  “Birthing as many children as possible,” Verimae said, “are you not concerned Ashamel has been condemned to such a fate?”

  Kalin stopped mid-exercise. He glowered, raising a finger at Verimae. Rays of morning sunlight twisted around his fists. “Do not speak her name with your dirty mouth,” he warned.

  “But it’s true,” Verimae insisted. “Ashamel is getting married to the Fairy Prince.”

  Erisa instinctively crafted a pistol when Kalin shot past her in a blur. He grabbed Verimae by the throat, lifting her off the ground. His golden hand sizzled against her neck as she scraped desperately, pleading to be released.

  Erisa froze. Could a faerie actually be captured? She slapped herself—now was not the time for a weapon. Instead, she reached for her phone, searching online for confirmation.

  “She’s not lying,” Erisa said, her voice tight. “I wouldn’t come this far without evidence.”

  Kalin peered over his shoulder at the phone. He scoffed, dropping Verimae to the floor. His eyes narrowed as he read the news, mirroring the disbelief and fury on Erisa’s face. “I should have seen this coming,” he muttered.

  Verimae coughed, rubbing her neck, struggling to her feet, adjusting her dress. Erisa realized she had severely underestimated Kalin’s abilities as a Gaverian. Was the key to overpowering Verimae simply speed and precision?

  “You swore to Schemel you would protect Ashamel,” Verimae said. “Now is the time to honour that promise. Take Ashey and get away from Henrikia, as far as you can.”

  Kalin did not respond immediately. To him, every word from the fae seemed like a potential trap. He analysed it carefully, comparing it against his own calculations. Finally, he spoke. “Mariel has consented to this marriage. What were her reasons?”

  “Is it not obvious?” said Verimae. “Mariel does not trust you to protect her family. She is forming an alliance with the emperor in exchange for protection.”

  Her words hit Kalin hard—the same way they had shaken Erisa. Shame flickered across his face.

  “It’s unfair that the Yunnish would exploit the Sorels when Mariel could simply put more trust in you. That’s why you need to take Ashey and run as far away as possible. It’s either that… or the Yunnish get her.”

  “What’s in it for the both of you? Why do you care what happens to Ashamel? I heard you put a gun to her head.” His glare turned on Erisa.

  “A mistake I regret wholeheartedly,” Erisa said. “This is my way of seeking atonement.”

  “Love unites us, Ren Vicious,” said Verimae, grinning. “All of us here love Ashamel.”

  Kalin scoffed, muttering under his breath that Verimae was incapable of love.

  The plan was set. Erisa would handle the arrangements. Grem vessels arrived at the eastern port almost daily—she would smuggle Kalin and Ashamel on board. Once everything was in place, Kalin would arrive at the Sorel estate under the pretence of taking Ashey along for training. No one would know they were stealing her away—not even Ashey herself.

  “I see,” Mariel said after Erisa reported on the meeting with Verimae and Kalin. “Your service to this country is immeasurable, Ms Zeal.”

  Her service was worth property at the Home of Heroes, far from Nakira’s obnoxious screaming. She would take Kalin’s house. He would not be needing it anytime soon.