Page 134 of Lady for Embers

“But Cassius has both Witch gifts and... whatever his father’s gifts are,” Scarlett argued.

“He may have an af?nity for potions and tonics, but those are gifts of nature. Anyone can learn them. Yes, there are certain potions his Witch blood will allow him to create, but his father’s blood contributes to that as well. The Witches simply have an innate knowledge of which plants and ingredients are better suited for different potions. Same with wards. Any magic-wielder can create them. The Witches are simply more adept with them. I would venture to guess he cannot heal with a touch like his mother can or see the future like an Oracle,” Cethin replied. When her lips pursed as she thought about that, he added, “It is part of thebalance. We get to be more powerful, but only with one set of gifts. But I would also venture to guess the sea calls to you.” She turned incredulous eyes to him to ?nd a knowing smile playing on his lips. “You think best with the sound of the waves, yes?”

She nodded slowly.

Something wistful crossed his face, and Cethin took a drink of his wine. “Our father was the one who chose the new capital to be Aimonway. He wanted to be next to the water. Before the Wards went up, he would spend weeks at a time on the water. He would get agitated being cooped up in Elshira for too long, so far from the sea.”

Scarlett swallowed thickly, trying to piece together this picture of her father in her mind. She had assumed her love of the sea came from Eliné, from having her gifts. To know it came from her father did something to her she wasn’t entirely sure what to do with. Eliné had told her that her father was a sailor. I guess it hadn’t been a complete lie.

Love?

She glanced up, ?nding golden eyes ?lled with so much warmth and love staring back at her, and she gave him a sad smile.

Tonight is hard,she answered.

I know. What do you need?

I honestly do not know.

“The twin ?ame bond is a beautiful thing to witness,” Cethin said softly.

Scarlett started, her cheeks heating. She had brie?y forgotten he was here.

She cleared her throat. “Yes, well, it can be a right pain in my ass at times as well.” Her cheeks ?ared hotter as she felt Sorin drag his magic along her skin, her magic lifting its head in response.

Cethin chuckled, reaching to re?ll their wine glasses yet again. “Is your wife your twin ?ame?” Scarlett asked.

She saw him stiffen a touch, tipping the bottle to her glass. “No. Kailia is not my twin ?ame, but I assure you, she is just as big of a pain in my ass.”

Scarlett snorted. “I look forward to meeting her then. As soon as you deem me no longer a threat, of course.”

“And you, Star?re? Have I earned the same? Do you consider me the ally you hoped you would ?nd when you set sail for these shores?” he asked, swirling his wine glass slowly.

She shrugged. “I suppose I would not consider you an enemy at this point. It appears we want the same things.”

“And what of your heritage? It will need to be announced soon that you are here,” Cethin said carefully. “Not only as a foreign Fae Queen, but as the princess of this kingdom.”

She jolted, wine sloshing over the side of her glass and onto the emerald green dress she was wearing. She swore, blotting at the spilled wine. “Why do we need to tell them that?”

“They will be joyous to hear such a thing,” Cethin answered. “I have kept your true identity a secret from most, but you will give them hope when they have not had any for centuries.”

“Hope for what?”

“They used to be able to move freely, Scarlett. Travel where they wished. But also, their access to the Fae was cut off.”

“Their access to their power sources,” she said, her tone hardening. “That is what this is about?”

Gods. Had Talwyn been right all along?

“Of course not. Not all of it, at least,” Cethin quickly amended.

“And how will my existence give them any hope?” she pressed. “I do not have any idea how to bring down these Wards. Even if I did, I doubt they want that just to let Alaric and the seraphs into these lands.”

Cethin set his wineglass down and got abruptly to his feet. “Come. There is something I want to show you.”

“Right now? We are in the middle of a conversation,” Scarlett argued, tentatively setting her glass down. Sorin was already standing, reaching for her.

“Yes, now,” Cethin clipped out. He held a hand out for her to take.

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