Page 189 of A Vow of Embers

“You have to tell her. I know what it’s like to be lied to about someone’s true identity,” I said. By someone I had cared about.

“Are you going to speak with her?” His voice was tight.

I shook my head. “I’m not going to tell her.”

His relief was evident.

I added, “Only because it has to come from you. If she hears it from anyone else, I’m afraid she won’t forgive you. You must tell her. And soon. She should have all the information before she makes a choice.”

“Thank you.”

And even though it wasn’t any of my concern, I felt like I had to say something about his situation. “Ahyana has taken vows. If she stops being celibate, the temple guards will kill her. Please keep that in mind before you do anything foolish.”

“I know that you care about her, and it’s one of the reasons I have always liked you,” Rokh said. “Ahyana and I are trying to make the best decisions for both of us, but as you’ve pointed out, she needs to have all the information first. Perhaps you will no longer have to worry about her breaking her vows after she finds out what I am.”

That didn’t seem like the decision my sister would make, but it was up to the two of them to figure out the right choices for themselves and I knew I should stay out of it. The quickness of their relationship also made more sense to me now. Rokh had loved her for years, and she must have responded to that when she first met him in his human form.

And maybe some part of her had recognized her beloved raven in him.

“I will return the book to you tomorrow,” he said. “I should go.”

Luna made a chittering sound in her enclosure and I glanced over at her.

“She likes what I brought her,” he said proudly.

“You came here just to feed Luna?” I had thought her growth was due to the insects I gave her. But it appeared Rokh was doing his best to care for her, too.

“There’s not really a way to explain it, but sometimes I can sense Luna. Like she’s reaching out to me. And she was hungry tonight and here we are.”

I looked at her. Maybe that was part of Rokh’s magic. Being able to connect with other animals.

Before I could ask him, he stood up and walked over to the door, unlocking and then opening it. He turned to look back at me.

“My love of flying and watching over Ahyana are not the only reasons why I shift. I also do it for Xander. I understand that the two of you have some ... problems. But you should know that he is one of the best men I have ever known. I would give my life for his. And if I can help him by being a raven, I will.”

He closed my door behind him, leaving me gaping over his words. How did he help Xander?

I thought of all the interactions I’d ever had with Kunguru. Especially since I had come to the palace.

And one stood out in my mind.

The night that I saw Xander kiss Chryseis.

I had come out to the balcony because Kunguru had been calling and I was worried he would wake other people up.

Then he had cawed three times and flown off.

And Xander had appeared.

Like it had been a signal.

Deliberate.

Why would he have wanted me to see that? It made no sense.

I assumed that Xander would lie if I asked him. But he hadn’t lied about stealing the book from me. And it was something I had been holding against him.

I tried to recall my list of reasons why I hated Xander. Because I hadn’t felt hatred toward him in what seemed like a long time.

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