Page 104 of A Shattered Kingdom of Steel

I nod. “They are.”

“Very good. If the rest of you would be so kind,” she says, her eyes sweeping the room while she waves a dainty hand, “I would like a moment alone with my daughters.”

Looking to Asheros, Savell and the others make no move to leave.

“Bladesinger?” Asheros asks.

“It’s all right,” I assure him. “They can go.”

His eyes meet mine, and then he dips his head to Savell. Quietly, he, Ronan, Kheldryn, and Gryska slip into the hall.

Mother’s glare is icy. “That includes you, Lord Larmanne.”

But Asheros’s feet remain firmly planted next to mine. “I’ll leave if my mate requests it. If she doesn’t, then I’m not going anywhere.”

My mother’s dark brows knit together. Her eyes flick between Asheros and me. “Your mate?”

“Yes.” He nods to her and then turns to face me. “My mate.”

Mother’s brows shoot up, breaking her well-trained mask. She looks at me, wide-eyed. “He is your… You have a mate?”

“Yes,” I say, shifting my weight so that I’m closer to Asheros. “I have a mate.”

Pure excitement draws a very unladylike squeal from Vestella. “Oh, gods, Lymseia, that’s wonderful! You must tell me everything!”

“Later,” Mother says, though the firmness in her tone doesn’t dampen Vestella’s joy. “First, we must discuss the more serious matters at hand.” Looking at me now, she angles her head back, a regal tilt to her chin. “Lymseia, if you would be so kind…”

Pressing my lips together, I place my hand on Asheros’s upper arm. “Go. I’ll find you after.”

His gaze finds mine, brows stitched together as though to ask if I’m sure.

“You’ll be all right on your own for ten minutes,” I quip with a smirk. “I promise.”

Tilting his head down, his lips spread into a toothy grin. Asheros nods. With a hand to the back of my head, he presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be nearby.”

Vestella gives him a little wave on his way out, and Mother’s eyes follow him until he steps into the hall.

“Tell me the truth, Lymseia,” Mother demands once we’re alone. “Has he hurt you?”

“No,” I shoot out. “No. He would never lay a hand on me. I assure you.”

“Where have you been all this time?” she asks, worry dripping from her words. “There has been no news of you. Every search party I have sent to find you returns with nothing.”

Warmth fills my chest, and suddenly, I feel like a child running off into the forest again.

Only, I’m no longer a child.

“For now, it’s best that I don’t give you the details,” I tell her as though I’m a soldier reporting to my superiors. “Asheros—Lord Larmanne—has been assisting me with a highly important investigation.”

Mother’s expression hardens. She doesn’t like my answer.

Luckily, Vestella saves me from having to justify my position. “Is there any way we can assist you? Is that why you’ve come now?”

“Yes, and no.” I rub my hands together. “We’ve come because we believe the male responsible for the death of High King Vorr is attempting to start a war among the Courts.” Turning to my mother, I say, “And after your formal renunciation of Steel’s alliance with Bronze, we believe you are his next target.”

“Of course.” Mother presses the tips of her fingers to her temple. “For centuries, we have always kept the balance between the Courts, especially with regards to the two major alliances. One between Gold and Silver, and the other—”

“Between Copper and Bronze,” I finish. “If something happened to you, then Vestella would become Head of House.”

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