Page 172 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

Hali’s gaze returns to the map. “I met him through my brother.”

I wait for her to explain.

She doesn’t.

I purse my lips, trying to make the connection. Nothing comes to mind.

“I don’t understand,” I say.

“They didn’t tell you.” She scoffs, shaking her head. “I’m not surprised. Those males’ loyalty to one another’s secrets is admirable. But infuriating.”

“Are you talking about Darius and Draven?”

“And Silas,” she adds as she looks at me fully. “And Jaxon.”

My brows lift as my body goes rigid. “You know Ja⁠—”

I stop.

Hali’s eyes. The familiar set of her cheekbones. The way her mouth curves when she smiles.

Gods.

How did I miss it?

“Jaxon is your brother.”

“Careful.” Her voice drops as her gaze sweeps the shelves around us. “Sound carries easily here. Especially to part Fae ears.”

I clamp my mouth shut and nod, my thoughts reeling as the pieces shift and lock into place.

“Jaxon is from Virendrell,” I exhale.

“He is.”

“But…he’s full Fae.”

Isn’t he?

“Our dear mother found herself on the receiving end of a Shadow Lord’s unwanted attention when Marek tried to conquer Virendrell after the Shadow Wars.” A shadow falls over Hali’s pretty features. “And he was too powerful to deny.”

She doesn’t say more.

She doesn’t have to.

My stomach twists. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have⁠—”

“There’s no need.” She steps closer to the map of Virendrell, and her eyes take on a faraway look as she stares at her homeland. “Mother despised what happened to her, but she never regretted Jaxon. She said The Mother smiled down on her when he was born, the last full-blooded Fae to be born on these shores. And the most powerful in centuries.”

And yet…he left.

I don’t ask why.

“Is your mother still here?”

“No.” She pinches her lips together. “She left us many years ago.”

My heart aches. “I’m sorry.”