Page 151 of The Iron Flower

Diana impatiently waves away the thanks. “I simply offered some encouragement, that’s all.”

Yvan looks positively stunned.

Tierney starts to cry, and Andras puts his arm around her. Everyone erupts into happy conversation, embracing each other, making their way over to Tierney.

“And that’s not all,” Rafe says, his smile widening. “The Lupines are offering amnesty to all the Icarals and other refugees in immediate danger. And they’re not requiring anyone who comes to become Lupine.”

Wynter grows very still, then closes her eyes and raises a hand to her heart. Cael’s head drops into his hands, as if overcome with relief, and Rhys’s face radiates a sudden serene joy. Ariel is frozen, staring wide-eyed at Rafe.

“Rafe.” Trystan has gone very still, his voice low. “Does this mean...”

Tears flood my eyes.Amnesty. There will be safety there for my beloved brother.

Diana looks to Trystan warmly. “You’ll be family. Of course, you’ll be welcome.”

Trystan doesn’t move, but his eyes belie a torrent of strong emotion.

“Uncle Edwin?” I ask Rafe and Diana, my voice catching.

“All of you,” Diana affirms, smiling.

“Rafe,” Yvan says. His face has gone pale.

Rafe turns to look at Yvan.

“Does this mean they’ll take inallFae?” Yvan asks, his voice constricted.

“Yes, Yvan. That’s my understanding.”

“And there’s more,” Valasca puts in, her eyes flicking from Yvan to Tierney. “The Amaz have agreed to allow both male and female refugees to travel around the periphery of our lands under rune-ward protection to get to the Northern Lupine territories.”

“The Northern Lupines are allowing us in, too?” Tierney manages to ask Diana through her tears.

“Yes,” Diana happily explains. “My father secured their protection for the refugees, as well.”

Valasca glances over at me, and we break into overjoyed grins as tears slide down my cheeks.

Everyone I care about who’s been in danger, in danger no more.

“Thank you,” I tell Diana, my voice cracking with emotion.“Thank you.”

“I’m just the messenger,” Diana happily deflects with a wave of her hand, but I know it isn’t true. I know she’s worked hard to secure this.

Yvan continues to sit there, speechless for a moment. And then he looks to me, a new openness in his gaze.

“You can tell them,” I encourage him. “You don’t have to keep anything hidden anymore.”

The conversation dies down and everyone looks to Yvan.

Yvan lets out a long breath and looks to them all. “I’m part Fae.”

“Fire Fae?” Rafe asks.

A wry laugh bursts from Trystan. “Now, how did you ever guess that?”

Rafe grins. “I’ve seen him playing with fire on more than one occasion.”

Yvan’s eyes widen.

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