The Shadow Princess (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 6)

“That doesn’t mean you’re not dangerous,” Bastien points out, although his tone has softened.

“True,” Hephastus replies, but then turns his attention away from Bastien to me. “Looking at you, Thalia, is like looking straight at Selena. I’ve missed her every day since she died, and I still mourn her.”

It’s not so much the words he says—although they’re nice—but the truth in his voice. I also know my mother loved her brother always, even after they were forced to banish him. There was no ill will between them.

Taking a chance, I move past Bastien, and he doesn’t try to stop me. I walk right up to Hephastus and when we’re toe to toe, I say, “I need your help.”

He moves so swiftly I have no time to react when he pulls me into a big bear hug. He squeezes me tightly and puts his cheek on top of my head. “Niece… I will help you with whatever you need. I’m your family and I love you, and you only need to ask. If you want to avenge Selena and Jaron’s deaths, I will help you do that as well, no matter the means.”

His implication is not at all subtle. He’d use blood magic to fight her if I asked.

I pull from my uncle’s embrace and glance behind me at Bastien. His nod is almost imperceptible, but it says he believes, as I do, that Hephastus is friend and not foe.

Looking back to my uncle, I ask, “You knew about my parents’ deaths?”

“Word travels, and there were those loyal to your parents who knew they still looked out for me. They made sure I was aware. I, however, did not know what happened to you. You just disappeared, but rumor was that you were being hidden somewhere until Ferelith’s defeat.”

I nod somberly. “I was in the First Dimension, only recently returned. The gods have deemed it time for me to retake my throne.”

Hephastus’s eyebrows again rise with surprise. “Messages from the gods, huh? Sounds like we have a lot to talk about. Come inside… we’ll eat and drink and talk.”

“This isn’t a social visit,” Bastien says in a low tone, and I could slap him for his rudeness.

Turning his way, I make introductions. “Uncle Hephastus, this is Bastien Dunne—”

“Graeme Dunne’s son,” Hephastus says with a respectful nod. “Your father was a great man. I was sorry to hear of his death.” His gaze comes my way, then back to Bastien. “And please… both of you call me Heph. It’s easier.”

Bastien nods, and Heph swings his arm back toward the house. “Shall we go inside?”

I don’t look to Bastien for permission. I’m satisfied my uncle will help us as best he can. “We’d love to.”

Honestly, part of me expected his house to be filled with weird stuff that might be used in blood magics, but I’m pleasantly surprised at how cheerful the interior is. Garlic and dried peppers hang in his kitchen window rather than chicken’s feet, and flowers are arranged in a vase on his table instead of a skull. Bright curtains frame every window, and hand-woven rugs are scattered over the wooden floor.

I move in a slow circle, taking it all in. The kitchen has a round table and four handmade but comfortable-looking chairs around it. The living area has two rocking chairs before a fireplace and a bed tucked away in a corner.

Heph retrieves three mugs from a kitchen cabinet, then makes his way over to a wooden keg he keeps in the corner. “I think a family reunion deserves a drink.” After he pours three mugs of ale and hands them out, we take seats at the kitchen table.

“How much do you know about what has happened to Kestevayne?” Bastien inquires, getting right to the point.

“Some,” Heph replies gravely. “We get travelers through here who pass news along. I imagine it’s the same things you’ve been hearing.”

“Do you know why we’re here?” Bastien asks.

“I assume you want to know about blood magic.” Heph looks from Bastien to me.

“Yes,” I say. “We need to find a way to defeat Ferelith, but her blood magic is too strong.”

“I can teach you what you need to know,” Heph says confidently.

“Before we get to that,” Bastien interrupts, “you need to assure me of your loyalty to Thalia. I don’t quite understand why you were banished from Kestevayne, so—”

“Bastien,” I exclaim.

“No, Thalia,” Heph says, holding up his hand. He looks at Bastien with respect. “He’s right. You need to understand my background for you to trust what I’m telling you. You were too young when I was sent away to know what really happened.”

“You said you maintained a relationship with my parents.” It just now hits me that he was never fully banished, not from my parents’ hearts, at any rate.

“Did you know the penalty for what I did was death?” Heph asks. Stunned, I rear back in my seat.