The rumble of Lord Irrik’s voice carried out to me. “That would mean—” “It’s why he must never know. You need to protect her. You must swear to me. If there was any other way, don’t you think I would take it? If you take me to the king, he will find out.” My mother’s voice was choked and filled with tears. Before tonight, I’d never ever seen her cry, aside from peeling onions. “I didn’t know,” Irrik said quietly.
