I looked at Calian, the question bleeding up from my throat like something old and rotten finally clawing free. He looked wrecked, but part of me did didn’t care right now.
“The day of the explosion,” I started slowly, the words sticking to my tongue like ash. “Why wasn’t I with them? Why wasn't I with my parents?” The room seemed to hold its breath.
His eyes met mine. In that instant, I saw something shift—some crumbling wall behind his mask, a terror that hadn’t been there before. His shoulders stiffened, the blood drained from his face. He didn’t answer right away, just stared at me like I’d peeled open a wound he’d buried deep.
He hesitated. He knew.
Makers, he knew.
“Calian,” I pressed, sharper now. “Haarken’s plan was to kill everyone. The entire royal line. So, why wasn’t I th
