“It is too dangerous to camp in the woods so close to the Cascade Mountains, and we cannot go through the portal at night,” Rafe answered. “We have had reports that there are gorgoths patrolling these mountains for a while now, and we have to pass the castle anyway to get to the portal. In the morning I will lead you to it. Once you get to Illiador, meet with the Silver Swords. They will help you infiltrate Morgana’s camp.”
Penelope nodded. “Maybe you are right. We need to pick up supplies as well. Heavens know what we have in store for us when we reach Illiador.”
“I will make the arrangements,” Rafe said as we rode through the gates of the town with our hoods up. We were most easily recognized here, and the fewer people we trusted the better.
We passed through wide stone archways and whitewashed buildings, through the cobbled streets and toward the castle gates. I was immediately struck by the stark difference in the town from what it was just last year. Once a prosperous, bustling place, Fairlone was more like a ghost town now. Shuttered windows and closed doors met us at every turn. Shops were locked, and no one walked the streets except for lone soldiers and guards keeping watch over the town. They saw Captain Raingate and bowed, not asking anything about the people he had brought with him. With Silverthorne gone, the town had fallen to ruin. Many had moved away to the south of Eldoren, where there was less chance of war reaching them. But here, so close to the Illiadorian borders, the people were afraid for their lives.
The castle was as I remembered it from the outside. We entered the enclosed courtyard and got off our horses. Footmen scurried forward to take Captain Raingate’s horse and to tend to the others.
“We will need fresh horses for tomorrow,” said the captain to one of the guards. “We ride out in the morning.”
“Yes, Captain,” said the guard, leading the horse to the stables.
We climbed the massive stone steps that led into Silverthorne Castle, and my heart constricted at the thought that I would never see Uncle Gabriel again. Without him, the castle seemed cold and distant, a shadow of its former self. The heart of Silverthorne Castle was gone, and even though I’d wanted to return here because of all the memories, I didn’t want to stay long. There wasn’t anything left for me here anymore.
My room was the same, but this time I wasn’t filled with wonder at everything around me. Sleep evaded me, so I went to see Penelope in her room.
“Did you know?” said Kalen as soon as I walked in.
“Know what?” I turned, arching a brow at Penelope, who was sitting on a chair near the fireplace, her back ramrod straight, her delicate hands clasped in her lap.
“That Tristan and I are brothers,” Kalen elaborated.
I nodded. What else could I say?
“You should have told me.”
“Penelope wanted to be the one to tell you.”
A knock sounded at the door and Tristan came in. “You sent for me, Penelope.”
Kalen looked at his mother. “Does he know too?”
Penelope nodded.
Kalen’s eyes narrowed and a cold smile curled his lips. “So clearly I am the last to know.”
“It was for your own good, Kalen,” said Penelope, getting up from the chair and moving to put her hand on her son’s shoulder.
He shifted away, but Tristan stepped forward, blocking his path. “You will need to be trained in the ways of the High Fae, Kalen. You must learn control of your powers.”
Kalen threw his hands up in the air. “What powers? I don’t have any.”
Tristan raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly at Penelope, then back at Kalen. “That is not possible. You are the son of the most powerful Grand Duke of the Night Court. Your magic must be formidable.”
Penelope cleared her throat. “I may have had something to do with that.”
“I thought so,” Tristan growled.
Kalen looked wide-eyed at Tristan, and his eyes narrowed to slits when he turned to look at his mother. “What did you do, Mother?”
She looked down, and it was the first time I had seen Penelope look embarrassed by something she had done. “I may have tampered with your powers slightly.”
“Slightly!” Kalen raised his voice. “I have no powers at all. I don’t even have enough air magic to be an archer. And that is the most basic fae magic there is.” Kalen stormed off, slamming the door behind him.
“Air magic,” Tristan scoffed. “I suspect he has a lot more than that.” He looked pointedly at Penelope. “The darkness of the Night Court bloodline cannot be contained for long. He must learn to control it before something happens to make him lose control. And Goddess help us when he does.”
Penelope nodded. “I will remove the spell that contains his powers, and you can begin training him immediately.”
Tristan nodded and left the room.
I crossed my arms and looked at my mentor, who was now staring out of the big bay windows of her room. “Why did you do it, Penelope? Kalen had a right to know who he really was and what he can do. I know from experience being kept in the dark about your powers never ends well for anyone.”
“I know,” said Penelope, her regret showing plainly on her face. “I thought I could keep him safe. Being the son of the Grand Duke of the Night Court comes with its own dangers. I may have been in love with Kildaren, but I am not blind to his faults. He can be cruel and selfish at the best of times.”
“Tristan is not like that,” I said, suddenly feeling the need to defend my betrothed.
“Oh, but he was,” said Penelope. “Tristan has changed over the centuries. You’ve only known him for a few months, Aurora. He is an immortal and has been around for a very long time. On the surface the enmity between the Night and Day Courts
