Page 140 of Bound By Darkness

Moria’s hand paused. “He’s arrogant and a Fae male. All of them are disgusting.”

“He’s different, Moria. I promise. He’s a bit… uncanny on the outside, but he’s done nothing but protect me this entire time. He’s given up so much to help foster my training and uncover truths about my casting.”

“Sounds like his father,” she huffed, her arms crossing over her chest.

“What do you mean his father?”

Moria sat up, her eyes widening. “Nothing. A mistake. I was thinking of my father.”

“What do you mean his father?” I repeated, my gaze following hers. She was lying—the chewing of her bottom lip gave it away.

“It’s not my place to say. Ask him instead.”

“Moria? Tell me?—”

“I’m tired, Thalia. I’ll talk to you later, okay?” she said as she stood, her body heading toward the back cot.

“Moria!”

But she didn’t answer as she laid out on the cot, her back turned toward me.

“Fine. I’ll ask him myself,” I said as I stormed out.

Father?

Why did his father matter?

Bounding down the hill, I headed toward the training center to where I hoped Ivan was.

Chapter 41

New Alliances

THALIA

Ivan sat against the rock,apple in hand as he lazily munched on the fruit.

Puffs of air clung in front of me as I slipped beside him, my mind reeling from the conversation with Moria.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” he said as his gaze lingered on mine.

“We need to talk.”

His brow rose. “What about?”

I bit my lip as I blew out a breath. “Did Fin stop by?”

“Yes. He told me what Moria revealed to you both.” He tossed the apple core into the grass. “Are you worried about it?”

“No. I mean, that’s not it.” How was I supposed to ask him?

Sounds like his father.

The phrase replayed in my mind over and over. She wouldn’t have mentioned it unless it meant something. The more I thought about it, the more the pieces weren’t adding together.

His Uncle was Chiron, a high political figure of Laias. Then there had been the remarks Fin had made about training with Ivan frequently there too. If his mother was a common Fae, why would he be training? The pieces were dissolving, my head spinning as more and more holes to his story ignited.

“Thalia?”

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