Mary Ann’s POV
“The Regent is your mother’s brother.”
For several seconds, I could not understand the words.
They entered the room, but they did not feel real. They belonged to another woman, another family, another life. Not mine.
My mother’s brother was dead.
He had died years before I was born, during the fall of Nightveil Pack. My mother had spoken of him only a few times, usually with a sadness that made me afraid to ask questions.
A younger brother.
Lost during the destruction of their childhood home.
No body recovered.
No proper burial.
Only grief.
I stared at Velvera.
“You are lying.”
My voice sounded distant.
Velvera did not look away.
“I am not.”
Modric stepped closer to me.
The bond tightened with alarm, but he did not touch me.
“What is his name?” he asked.
V
