*Ainslee*

“He wants me to what?” I ask, frowning at Zeke.

“Your father wants you to return to Longclaw. Abandon Rafe and Shadowglade and ‘come home,’ as he puts it,” he says. “He says if you do that, he will send Longclaw troops to fight in the war.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m married. We have a child!” I place my hand over my belly. “Two children!”

He shrugs helplessly. “You’re welcome to write him yourself and try to point that out. I already have once. He won’t budge.”

“Does he expect me to leave both my husband and my children behind?!” I gape, disbelieving.

“He said he...