A loud laugh burst from the elemental. “I think I can now be counted as one of those taken with you.”
My cheeks flushed, burning even deeper when Kieran said, “I would advise against saying that in front of Casteel.”
“I like my head attached to my body, and my heart in my chest,” the elemental responded. “I have no plans to repeat that.”
“He did say you were…quite outspoken.”
I crossed my arms. “More like warned you?”
“Something like that, but surprising nonetheless.” Alastir’s pale eyes danced with amusement. “We didn’t get a chance to be properly introduced yesterday. I’m Alastir Davenwell and the one behind me is Emil Da’Lahr.”
Emil grinned as he nodded in my direction. “I will forever think of Kieran as a giant oaf now, thanks to you.”
“That’s great,” muttered the wolven standing beside me.
Sparing a quick glance at Kieran’s stoic expression, I said, “I’m Penellaphe…Penellaphe Balfour.”
Alastir’s gaze sharpened on me as his brows narrowed. “Balfour?”
I nodded.
“That’s an old name, one that goes back several hundred years in Solis,” Alastir said.
How old was this wolven? “My father’s family was involved in shipping. They were merchants.”
“Casteel has told me that you are of Atlantian descent,” Alastir said after a moment. “Which would explain why the Ascended have deemed you the Maiden and kept you close to them.” His head tilted. He must’ve seen something in my expression, because he continued. “You’ve learned what they had planned for you.”
A statement, but I nodded anyway.
“I am sorry for that,” he offered softly, bowing his head slightly. “I cannot imagine what it must feel like to learn that those who cared for you did so for such abhorrent reasons.”
It felt like the world was nothing but a violent lie.
“Your mother was close to the vampry Queen, and your father’s family a friend to the King? Correct?”
Surprise flickered through me. “Did Casteel tell you that?”
A faint smile appeared. “I knew some of your background before I met you, Penellaphe. Word of a Maiden, one Chosen by the gods, reached Atlantia long ago.”
That didn’t make me feel entirely comfortable. “I guess that came as a shock to your people since your gods are asleep, therefore unable to choose anyone.”
Emil chuckled. “That it did. We wondered if they had woken and forgotten about us.”
“I think what is more of a shock is learning that you’re of Atlantian descent,” Alastir said, brows knitted. “Especially since your mother and father were so connected to the Blood Crown.”
“The Blood Crown?”
“The Queen and King of Solis. The Royals,” explained Kieran. “They’re referred to as the Blood Crown.”
I was sure there was disturbing accuracy behind that title.
“It leaves me with the question of how you’re even here,” said Alastir.
Kieran unfolded his arms. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“You can’t tell me that neither you nor the Prince has wondered how the parent of someone of Atlantian descent survived long so close to the Blood Crown.” Alastir looked at me. “It’s not that they can sense us, but being that close, I imagine it would’ve been discovered.”
“And they would’ve used one of them as what? A blood bag?” I finished.
Emil’s brows rose. “That’s one way of putting it, but yes.”
“I don’t know which one was Atlantian,” I admitted. “Kieran seems to think that I was found in a field.”
Emil sent a questioning look at the wolven.
Kieran sighed. “I did not say that. I merely suggested that one or even possibly both weren’t her blooded parents.”
“That’s possible.” A thoughtful expression entered Alastir’s features. “I never heard what became of your parents. Are they still in the capital of Solis? If so, then I imagine the answer lies with them.”
“My parents are no longer alive.” Unsure if he knew of Ian, I didn’t mention him. “They were killed in a Craven attack outside the city.”
Alastir paled as he stared at me. “Is that…？” He trailed off, lines bracketing his mouth.
I had a feeling I knew what he had been about to ask. “It was how I was scarred,” I told him, holding his stare.