“What on Aerthlan…?” Sorcha accepted the ring back.
“Lady Gwennore has discovered that the crowns and some of the jewelry owned by the Norveshki royal family were made with a poisonous metal. I would hate to find out that I’d given you something dangerous.”
Sorcha gave the ring a dubious look. “I thought this belonged to my mother.”
“Our mother was the late queen,” Silas said quietly.
Sorcha’s mouth fell open, and the ring tumbled from her hand.
Maeve snatched up the ring as it hit the ground. “Then yer father was the king? Ye’re a … Sorcha’s a princess?”
Silas nodded. Sorcha was still dumbfounded, staring at him blankly. “You’re third in line to the throne.”
Eviana jumped up and down. “Sowcha’s a pwincess!”
Maeve laughed.
Sorcha came to with a jerk, then swatted Silas on the shoulder. “Now ye tell me?”
With a grin, Maeve pulled her back. “Now, that’s not very princesslike. Ye’ll have to behave from now on.”
Sorcha scoffed. “Says who?” She glared at Silas. “Any more surprises?”
She’d probably be surprised if she learned that her brothers were dragons. Silas lowered his mental shield. Can you hear me, Sorcha?
Sorcha gave him an exasperated look. “Ye’re not answering. Ye must be hiding something.”
He snapped his shield back in place. She wasn’t able to hear him. As far as he knew, Gwen was the only female who could hear the dragons. “I apologize for not telling you earlier. I wasn’t sure if you had any interest in Norveshka. You seem quite content to live here with your sisters.”
She lifted her chin. “That’s true.”
Silas nodded. “Even so, I hope you can visit us sometime in the future. You have an older brother, Petras, who would love to see you.”
Sorcha’s eyes widened. “The king?”
“Yes. And you have a cousin, Annika. She’s helping Gwennore right now, and they’ve become good friends. She would love to see you, too.”
“Can I come?” Eviana asked. “You have lots of nice toys.”
“I want to go, too!” Eric insisted.
Silas rested a hand on each twin’s shoulder. “I would love for you to visit, but that would be your parents’ decision.”
“Me, too?” Reynfrid asked, gazing up at him with turquoise eyes.
“General Dravenko?” a deep voice called, and Silas glanced up to see Leo approaching.
Leo’s gaze dropped to Silas’s hands resting on his children’s shoulders.
Silas stepped back, dropping his arms to the side. Damn. It must be true. Because of his lightning power, Leo was afraid to touch his own children. There was no mistaking that flash of pained regret in the man’s eyes.
“Papa!” Eviana called to him, and Leo gave her a smile and a wink.
Silas bowed his head. “Your Majesty. If you could spare a moment…”
“Of course.” Leo motioned with a gloved hand. “Luciana and Brigitta are coming.”
Silas glanced over his shoulder to see the two queens walking toward them. Luciana had a small clay crock in her hands.
“General!” Brigitta smiled. “It’s good to see you.”
“Brody was just here,” Luciana said as she approached. “He had a few questions for our physician. Here.” She handed Silas the crock.
“What is this?” He lifted the top off to see a red powder inside. The scent was strong, making his eyes water.
“It’s a spice made from a hot pepper that grows in southern Eberon,” Luciana explained. “The royal physician recommended it, so Brigitta and I went to the galley to see if we had any here. I’m afraid this is all we have right now, but I can have more delivered from Ebton Palace. It might take a few days.”
“Thank you.” Silas put the top back on. “We’ll gladly take whatever you can send to Lady Gwennore.”
“Please tell her we miss her,” Brigitta said. “But we know she’s doing something important.”
Luciana nodded. “The plague affects our countries, too, so we’re happy to assist her in any way we can.”
Silas bowed his head. “I appreciate that, Your Majesties.”
“Guess what?” Eviana sidled up to her mother. “Sowcha’s a pwincess!”
Luciana’s eyes widened as she looked at Sorcha. “Really?”
Sorcha shrugged and waved a hand at Silas. “That’s what he says.”
“Then you’re a prince?” Brigitta asked Silas.
He sighed. “I prefer being a general.”
Leo crossed his arms, studying Silas. “You’re the heir to the throne?”
“For now. My brother, Petras, could still have children.” Silas didn’t want to admit how unlikely that was.
Leo motioned toward his tent. “Let’s have a talk.”
Silas followed him, along with Luciana and Brigitta.
“Is Gwennore all right?” Luciana asked.
The memory of her moaning and melting in his arms flashed through Silas’s mind. “She … she’s a bit nervous about whether she can succeed.”
Luciana sighed. “That sounds like Gwennie. She doesn’t always realize her own worth.”
“But she’s the most clever woman I know,” Brigitta declared. “If anyone can cure the plague, it’s her.”
Silas nodded. “I believe she can do it, too.”
A guard lifted the flap to the large tent, and Leo motioned for them to enter. “Did Brody tell you about the envoy from Woodwyn?”
“Yes.” Silas entered the tent with the two queens. “I’ve discovered the identity of Lady Gwennore’s father.”
“Really?” Brigitta asked. “Who is he?”
“He was a Norveshki nobleman,” Silas replied. “I would tell you more, but I think Lady Gwennore should hear it first.”
“You said was.” Luciana moved to the table and filled four cups with wine. “Has he passed away?”
“Yes.” Silas set the clay crock on the table.
Leo sat on one side of the table and motioned for Silas to sit across from him. Brigitta distributed the cups of wine, then took the chair next to him. Luciana sat close to her husband and smiled at him when he squeezed her hand.
Happily married, Silas thought with a pang in his heart. He missed Gwen.
“Brody said the Chameleon has shown up in your country,” Leo said. “He murdered a spy in your dungeon.”
“Yes.” Silas nodded. “That’s why I wanted to speak to you.”
“You think the Chameleon plans to steal the Norveshki throne?”
