Odett’s POV
Some problems reached the castle before we did. Dad spent more evenings behind his office door with Orian and the Royal Guard. At first I assumed they were settling Academy disputes, but messengers began arriving after midnight. Maps disappeared from the office before breakfast, and sealed reports waited beside Dad’s plate when he thought no one was watching.
I knew Sam’s handwriting before I saw his name on one envelope. His field reports had always come with a note for me, even if it was only a few lines about the weather or a training mistake I would have mocked him for. Lately, there had been no notes.
I told myself he was busy. He had left on the investigation at least a year before the twins turned eight, and now his work took him across several kingdoms. Still, I caug
