Page 33 of Tides of Shadows

At those words, the memory of ravens, shrieking and beating against stones, stirred in everyone. Cassandra’s beloved control was slipping through her fingers. Eric Salvadore looked at her with just a glimpse of satisfaction.

A murmur rippled through the chamber. Cassandra’s brow furrowed, irritation flashing in her eyes.

“We will not lose our wits to old fables,” she cut in sharply. “Thirty years ago, when the Red Fever took thousands, none spoke of dying gods. This is another sickness. Temporary.” She paused, then looked at Eric and his scribes. “However, thank you Lord Salvadore for these discoveries,” she added with fake politeness. “If you find anything more, bring it directly to the Regent’s chambers. We will discuss it later.”

Her words ended the meeting, however unease lingered in the air. As though even the hall itself doubted her certainty.

The days that followed were filled with Aidenar’s lessons. To my surprise, he progressed quickly, though his temper was insufferable. I had always thought myself impatient, but he was in a realm of his own, frustrated whenever mastery did not come at once.

Whenever he began to complain about my methods, I would say coldly, “If you dislike them, you may always return to your mother’s tutelage.”

That silenced him faster than any spell could.

To Roderick and my servants, I claimed I was practicing meditation. No one questioned it. Meanwhile, the first ships had sailed from Thalrock, filling me with both pride and relief. Even my father wrote that he was pleased with my progress. Small as my successes were, I could tell he wished to encourage me.

Whatever else one might say of the Cavareths, Aidenar kept his word. Now it was my turn to keep mine. And I could not deny it. I was beginning to wonder just what he would become once he truly grasped his power.

As I approached our hidden gallery, a faint voice reached my ears—a girl’s voice. I froze.

He had sworn this place was a secret. If he had brought some court-bred mistress here for his amusements, our lessons would end that very moment. Was I jealous? I had no time to answer myself.

My pulse quickened. I pushed the door open a crack and stopped short.

Before Aidenar stood a young girl, no more than ten or twelve, dressed like a porcelain doll in lace and silk, her blond curls gleaming in the light. I recognized her at once. The same hair as Cassandra. The same eyes as his.

I scolded myself silently for my earlier thoughts.

Aidenar turned, his expression apologetic.

“Lady Veymaris,” he said evenly, though I heard a trace of discomfort in his tone. “Forgive the intrusion. I know we agreed on secrecy, but a certain curious soul followed me.”

He gestured to the girl. “This is my younger sister, Sofia Cavareth.”

I inclined my head politely. For a heartbeat, I wondered if she would mimic her mother—aloof and distant. But her gaze was bright and curious. Her eyes, lighter than Aidenar’s, studied me openly, boldly, as though I were something rare.

“You look… different,” she said at last, eyes trailing over my hair, my figure, my dark leather uniform. “I like it.”

With that, she smiled and skipped toward the door. “Don’t keep secrets from me, Aiden. You never could.”

Then she was gone.

Silence settled again. Aidenar sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I’m sorry. I know this was meant to stay between us, but Sofia can be trusted. She’s been following me lately. She worries too much and is nosier than a forest fox. Don’t mind her. She’s… odd.”

“Aiden.” The name lingered in my mind, spoken by that little girl. Too long, perhaps.

“If this stays between the three of us,” I said calmly, “I have no problem.”

“Do you have any siblings?” he asked suddenly.

“I do. An older brother.”

I failed to hide the shadow that passed through my voice.

“Why isn’t he at the Gathering?” Aidenar asked before he could stop himself.

I closed my eyes for a moment, then told him the same story I’d told Dricus. Of the sickness that had slowly drained my brother’s strength, until it chained him to his chair.