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Three days later, after the nightmares had faded and Fenris had returned to her usual bright, stubborn self, Lycian asked if he could speak to them both in private.

He waited until after dinner, until the younger children were occupied, until the sun had dipped low and the fire was burning warm and golden in the hearth. Then he stood before them, his back straight, his hands clasped tightly behind him, looking for all the world like a little lord about to deliver a formal proclamation.

Aria hid her smile. “You have something to tell us.”

“I do,” Lycian said. He took a breath, steady and deliberate, the way...