The words washed over Serena but didn't sink in. Surely not.
Garrett cut in immediately. "No, Riven, it was not her fault. It had to do with power and a vendetta."
"Of course it wasn't her fault," Nightspire said, voice dripping with something that could almost pass for sympathy. "The lamb is never at fault when wolves come calling. That doesn't make the lamb any less dead."
Hyran studied Nightspire the way you study a puzzle where someone has added extra pieces just to watch you fail. "And which are you, Nightspire? Wolf or shepherd?"
"I'm family." Nightspire placed a hand over his heart. "Concerned family."
"Ah. The most dangerous kind."
"There's a bounty for her alive. I doubt Tiberon knows that." Nightspire turned his attention to Serena, tone soft. "Are they aware of that?"
Garrett spoke before she could answer. "Riven, there are less than five kings here who know who she is."
"Six if you include me," Nightspire said. "I doubt he is aware. Based on the silence from your Gamma and Master Mage." He considered them. "I mean no offense by that."
"None taken," Hyran said flatly. "I'm sure you mean no offense by anything you say. That's rather the point, isn't it?"
"Let me save us all some time," Hyran continued, leaning forward. "You're going to reveal something distressing. Then you're going to offer help. Then there will be a price, though you'll frame it as mutual benefit. The question is whether the information is actually valuable or whether you're manufacturing urgency to position yourself as a solution to a problem you're creating in real time." He smiled. "How am I doing so far?"
Nightspire laughed. "I like him," he said to no one in particular. "He's going to get himself killed, but I like him."
"I get that a lot."
"I'm sure you do."
"Enlighten me, why is there a bounty for Serena's head?" Hyran asked.
"Her father refused to give her to Orosia. A choice that resulted in a consequence," Nightspire said, taking another sip of his whiskey.
"Why does Orosia want her?" Gavriel asked, jaw tense, but his tone was casual.
"Are you going to pretend you don't know? And we dance this dance," Nightspire said, smirking. "Her mother, Seraphine, was similar."
Serena's heart was thudding against her chest. She actually hadn't been aware she was the reason. She knew there was a bounty… but she always assumed it was because she survived and was the heir.
Many in Drakenfell knew she was a Frostborne now.
Hyran addressed her as Frostborne at her crowning ceremony. He asked her beforehand and she said he could. She also openly admitted it in front of Agnes.
Not hiding who she was, was a weight lifted off her chest. Something she felt secure enough to do with Dexmon.
She shook her head at her own stupidity. Of course she would never be able to own it publicly. She was foolish by allowing that. And worse, she put Drakenfell at risk. Unintentional or not.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat, refusing to let her eyes redden.
No, she would not feel sorry for herself.
The real question now was if the damage was reversible.
Elara and Garrett glanced at each other, clearly aware of something. Serena looked at them, confusion, followed by betrayal written on her face. What were they not telling her?
Hyran's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Fine, we'll speak plainly. Are you insinuating there's a link between her and Orosia attacking Skardos?"
Nightspire swirled the whiskey in his glass before answering. "Even if it isn't that. When they learn she is alive, they will come after her," he paused, letting that land. "And they won't stop until they have her."
"You seem to know quite a bit," Garrett commented.
"I have sources. Excellent ones." Nightspire's smile didn't waver. "But it's not me you should be worried about. It's the fourteen other Alpha Kings who didn't know her father. If they find out handing her over is all they need to do to make this war go away, they won't hesitate."
Garrett glared at him. "Giving her over wouldn't make this go away. Orosia has been on a tour of conquest. And it's been six years. Doubtful they're looking for her."
His words hit hard. Garrett just confirmed essentially that there was some truth to what Nightspire was saying. Gods.
"Can you clarify why exactly they are after me?" Serena asked. Clearly she was in the dark.
"Your blood, Serena. Your mother's was the same. Except yours has—"
"That's enough," Garrett snapped, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"Did your mother ever explain what you are?" Nightspire asked, looking genuinely perplexed.
Serena's brows furrowed. Truthfully, she'd wondered what she was more times than she could count. But her blood never was a big deal when she was growing up.
"I'll take that as a no," Nightspire said at Serena's silence. "What color is your wolf, Serena?"
The color drained from Serena's face. "Grey."
"You're a horrible liar," Nightspire said. "No, I think your wolf is—"
Garrett cut him off.
"We will be leaving if this continues."
At that moment, Finnick Shadowclaw entered the tent. His eyes were locked on Nightspire. For a heartbeat, Serena thought that anger was directed at her.
He glanced at her briefly and his face softened, almost as if he read her thoughts.
"Shadowclaw," Nightspire called. "I'm surprised you are giving away your alliance in broad daylight."
"Cut to the chase, Riven." Garrett said. "If you want us to take her to the High Emperor of Orosia, that isn't happening."
"No, I don't think she should do that," Nightspire said. "But I do think, she should not be at this war summit. Dangling in front of Viremont and other Alpha Kings who wouldn't hesitate to throw her to him."
He looked up at Fin. "Isn't that right, Shadowclaw?"
Fin didn't move. His alpha aura radiated out and the temperature in the tent dropped by ten degrees.
"Nightspire, I don't know what game you think you're playing. But I promise you, I've already won it," Fin stated, his voice calm but carrying the unmistakable edge of a threat.
Garrett stood abruptly. "We're done here."
Serena rose, following him. She wasn't sure what to make of Nightspire's comment to Fin. Or Fin's response.
Still in his seat, Nightspire caught her arm.
She looked down at him, surprised. He didn't loosen his grip.
"When Tiberon learns what you are, you know where to find me."
She blinked, taken aback by his words. She didn't even know what she was. "When you say that, what exactly are you referring to?"
He didn't answer. He considered Garrett and Elara instead.
"Come find me alone and I'll tell you. It seems these two won't."
"Take your hand off her," Fin growled.
Nightspire didn't acknowledge him, keeping his eyes on Serena. His fingers lingered longer than necessary, because men like him always had to test the edges.
"Careful, little wolf. When they care too much, they show their hand." His thumb grazed her sleeve once. "Your mother didn't come to me when she should have." He let that land. "I would hate for history to repeat."
Then he released her arm with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
He turned his attention to Fin.
"Shadowclaw. Business or pleasure? Surely you didn't come in here just to collect a girl who's mated and crowned."
"You overstep, Riven," Garrett warned.
"On the contrary, I'm the only one willing to tell her the truth."
Serena moved to the exit, keeping her composure. But when she felt Nightspire's eyes on her, she stopped and turned. She didn't know why.
"She looked back too. Just like you are now." Nightspire tilted his head. "Right before she chose the wrong people to trust."