“Are you sure where you are going?”

  Elias had asked the same question for the fifth time this hour. Sasha was sick of it. She tugged hard at the chain around her hand, dragging Elias along the narrow path in the woods. Hopefully, it hurt as much around his hand as it did hers.

  “You said she wanted me to take you to the summer place. And this is the way.”

  “It’s freaking damp here, and the woods are dense enough that no one could walk through them.”

  “City boys, you are something, aren’t you?”

  Elias shut up. He slapped a mosquito but kept up with her pace, not asking any more questions. Sasha whistled a tune and wished Ella hadn’t asked her to bring this man to the summer cottage. It was a secluded place, meant just for her, Ivy, and Ella—a retreat for gathering herbs and being alone, far from customers or people like Elias invading.

  “This is it.”

  “Wonderful,” Elias said dryly. “There’s moss on the roof, and a fucking brook running through it. Are you farming insects here?”

  Sasha grumbled, but before she could respond, Elias interrupted her.

  “Wait—of course you are.”

  The door opened then, and out stepped an old lady. Sasha ran forward, not caring whether Elias caught up or not, not caring that the chain yanked at her wrist, hurting her.

  “Mother!”

  “Sasha.” Ella took her face in her worn hands, her eyes misty. “I’m sorry you had to witness this. And I’m so sorry I miscalculated.” Ella swallowed and glanced at the other end of the chain, her eyes reflecting every emotion at once. “I never thought they’d go for you as well.”

  Sasha couldn’t read the full story in her mother’s eyes, but she hoped it hurt the man behind her—badly. He was the king’s man, and he had gone for the killing. She didn’t care whose son he was.

  “Mother,” Elias said, tasting the word as if it were bitter. “You have to be kidding me. I thought you were her apprentice.” He sounded disgusted. “Is she my sister?”

  His tone was hard, the question directed at Ella more of a threat than a query. Ella looked down, avoiding his gaze.

  “In your dreams,” Sasha muttered, low enough that Ella wouldn’t hear. Elias grabbed her hand and squeezed hard.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Any time,” he said. “But until you decide to give back what is mine, it seems we’ll be bound by more than our blood.”

  He tugged at the chain, making his point. Sasha ground her teeth.

  “I gave the orb to Isaak,” Sasha said before her mother had a chance to contradict her.

  Ella’s expression darkened. Sasha tried her best to look apologetic, silently pleading with her mother to agree. Now wasn’t the time to debate how best to eliminate the king.

  “I will not take part in this. You two will have to sort it out yourselves,” Ella said. “But mark my words: nothing good has ever come from taking such an orb. Neither of you may want to forgive me, but that orb must reunite with its owner.” She gave Sasha a stern look. “Trust someone who’s seen far more than you.”

  “You haven’t been particularly truthful so far,” Elias said. “Why should we believe anything you say? Let’s start with some actual proof you’re my mother, shall we?”

  Sasha hadn’t expected a heartfelt reunion, but she hadn’t thought he’d be quite so harsh either.

  “I did what I had to do, but I’ve lied to neither of you,” Ella said. “I wanted to protect you, Elias, and now I ask you to protect my daughter. You know in your heart that it’s true. You know magic as I do; I’ve held nothing back.”

  “Your daughter? Please tell me she’s not your daughter.”

  “She’s mine by heart, as are you, though we don’t know each other.”

  “She’s my mother,” Sasha said. She couldn’t be mad at Ella. She probably should, but all she felt was a deep rage, as if Elias had stolen something from her. Logically, she knew he wasn’t to blame, but he was her son, and she belonged to the hound of the devil. She hated him because he didn’t feel like her brother—and she wished he did.

  Elias shook his head, his eyes narrowing skeptically at Ella.

  “Since our last encounter, I’ve been home, visiting the castle. I know who Ivy is. Who wouldn’t? Did you really think I’d just take your word for it, Mother?”

  Ella raised a hand as if to touch Elias but let it fall. Pain shone in her eyes.

  “Well, what about Sasha?” Elias pressed. “I know you switched me and Ivy. Just try to stick to the truth, will you?”

  Ella sighed. Sasha rolled her eyes. He was beyond dense.

  “Are they treating Ivy well?”

  “Well? My mother adores her. She spoils her rotten,” Elias sighed. “You have nothing to worry about. But Sasha being your daughter? That would complicate things.”

  “She’s not,” Ella interrupted. “She’s not your sister, nor is she my daughter. I know it’s hard to believe, but Ivy and Sasha are truly sisters. Unfortunately, there’s a risk the king will kill Sasha before he accepts that the queen had twins.”

  Elias said nothing. He walked to the small kitchen and sank into a chair. Sasha followed, hating the chain that tethered her to him, turning her into his unwilling captive.

  “That wasn’t necessary, Ella,” Sasha said, stomping hard on the earthen floor. It wasn’t her secret to reveal. She could have fooled Elias. Ivy had light blond hair, while Sasha’s was black as a raven. When Ivy looked angelic, Sasha looked anything but. Still, Elias didn’t even question it. A small flex of magic, and he nodded.

  “This changes everything,” Elias said thoughtfully, oblivious to Sasha’s irritation.

  “What?” Sasha asked. “What changes, Elias?”

  He shook his head, refusing to answer.

  “You’ve seen your mother. Now we’ll visit Isaak.” Elias insisted.

  “Is that wise?” Ella asked. “I’d assume Isaak isn’t fond of the king’s men.”

  “You assume correctly,” Elias said, tugging the chain. “Time to move on, dear sister.”