“And who will rule?” my mother asked.
I locked eyes with Mal. His eyes widened in return, as if it was just hitting him that he might be perfect for this role. That he was born to be a leader, a king.
He cleared his throat. “I can do it. I can be king.”
Our mother slowly turned toward him. “But our traditions?—”
“What about them?” he asked. “Is that what truly matters here? Because I think making sure the right person is on the throne is what’s for the best. I think putting our happiness above duty is what matters.”
“So you’re going to become king and marry the sea princess?” my mother asked. “While Gabrielle is off gallivanting with a pirate.”
His lips curved into a smile. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do. And that’s exactly what she’s going to do.”
He nodded at Bastian, approval in his gaze.
I sat down, proud of my brother. He and the sea princess would make a wonderful king and queen.
“King Salazar will never allow his daughter to marry an elemental,” my mother said. “We have a very fragile peace with the seafolk, and they only tolerate us because we share the same type of magic. Don’t make us new enemies, not when we already have the shadow court to contend with.”
Mal placed his hand on my mother’s arm. “Mother, I can do this. I can bring us together and forge a new alliance. I’ll also be calling a conclave.”
My body stiffened at that. The last conclave between the courts hadn’t been called since before the Shadow War. That conclave was when the courts decided they had to go to war against Sorrengard. I wondered if this conclave would come to the same conclusion. If we’d be going to war again.
Mal straightened. “We cannot ignore this threat. So I will summon all the courts together, and we will figure this out.”
My mother’s shoulders slumped. “Fine. I suppose I have no say anymore.” She looked over to Lochlan. “We’re going to put all of our effort into helping you.”
“Yes,” I said, and Mal nodded.
Lochlan’s face tightened, and he stood now, fists balled at his sides. “Actually, that’s a journey I’m going to have to take on my own.”
My mother threw up her arms. “What has gotten into all of you? Did the shadow court addle your brains?”
“You’re not going back to the shadow court alone,” I said. “No way.”
Lochlan shot me a charming smile. “You’re right. I’m not.”
My mother just harrumphed. “Why will you not let us help you, son?”
“Because I think the person who can help me is trapped, and I need to rescue her.”
I started at that, Bastian and I exchanging confused glances.
Leoni leaned forward, and Driscoll tilted his head, all of us waiting for Lochlan to explain.
He pushed a hand through his thick auburn curls. “I’ve been having dreams about a woman trapped in a tower. It’s real. I know it is, and I think it has something to do with my shadow, but I can’t piece it all together without finding her.”
“A woman... trapped in... a tower?” my mother asked like she couldn’t have possibly heard him right.
“What are you talking about, Loch?” I said.
He started pacing. “I know it sounds crazy, okay? I feel crazy. But I hear her voice. At first I ignored it, thinking it was that damn island. But every night I see her and I hear her, and she’s crying out for help.”
“But where is she? Who is she?” I asked. “How will you even find her?”
Lochlan stopped pacing and shrugged his huge shoulders helplessly. “I wish I knew. I see flashes of a tower that’s surrounded by thick clouds. I see a woman staring out the window, crying for help, saying something about a magic bean...” He shook his head as I straightened.
“A magic bean?” Driscoll’s brows furrowed.
