Fortuna groaned. “Ohh, here he comes.”

The man approached, panting and pouncing wildly at Fortuna and Firmus.

Fate struggled to see him clearly because of his wild behavior. When she finally examined him, she almost couldn’t believe her eyes. “Are there—” She shook her head. “—three of you?”

By chance, the man mirrored Fortuna with a proud chortle and a flip of his hair. “Three of me? Praise be, whatever would the world do?”

He looked so much like Firmus that Fate checked them twice.

Fortuna elbowed the lively man against the ribs and cleared her throat. “As I’m sure you can see, this is our brother, Fortis.” She scanned Fortis from head to toe and pursed her lips. “Look at this fool, so dandy. Firmus, this is precisely what I expect of you. Take away some of his bliss. He has more than enough as it is.”

Fate carefully examined the three Igni. “You’re triplets?”

They nodded in unison, but each responded differently. Firmus narrowed his eyes, Fortuna sighed, and Fortis beamed.

As far as Fate knew, it shouldn’t have been possible for an Ancient couple to bear triplets. All Ancients were supposed to be born with their mate. Essentially, they were twins.

The Elders called them ‘Bound’—one soul split in half, an inseparable bond that could extend into many lifetimes.

Since the early decline of the Ancients, there were rumors of Bound being separated. Many Ancients died of illness when they could not find their other half, yet none of the triplets appeared ill.

A crack echoed through the hall, and Fortuna turned sharply towards an old woman by the door to the yard.

The woman cracked her cane against the tiles again.

Giving a partial curtsy, Fortuna excused herself. “I have some business to attend. I will be seeing all of you later.”

Firmus’s gaze trailed after her with suspicion. He looked at Fortis next and relaxed with a sigh. “Did you leave the King’s party?”

Fate repeated his words in her head: King’s party. Considering Fortis didn’t serve in Macellarius, he most likely served in Nitor. That suggested Neco had invited his brother to the event, a very odd occurrence for two quarreling kings.

Fortis flapped his hand. “That I did! I heard there was a striking woman approaching the palace but I never imagined it would be Fortuna.” He trailed off and shook his head to draw himself back into the conversation. “Anyhow, where’s little Abyssus? I thought you two were an inseparable force.”

Firmus darted off without warning, surprising Fate with his sense of urgency. His need for Abyssus often proved greater than hers. Sometimes Fate even wondered if Abyssus and Firmus were Bound. She tried not to think about it because it meant she was separated from her intended mate. Those thoughts would only concern her.

Will I die?

She fidgeted uncomfortably and focused on Fortis.

He grinned the moment he regained her attention. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Fate. I am honored to have your company during this important occasion.”

“You might be the only person who thinks so,” Fate said, saddened by her revelation.

He crossed an arm over his chest and bowed to her. “Lady Fate, if you wish, I would be honored to celebrate with you.”

Her face burned as she let out her hand to accept his offer. Deep down, she wondered if Abyssus felt the same way about Firmus. Of course, Fate’s reaction to Fortis differed from their bond. She admired his aura without falling victim to it. The same could be said of her feelings towards Firmus. Fate, like Firmus, cared little for anyone other than Abyssus.

Fortis led her across the yard, and they sat down on the edge of a fountain to view the drinking adults. Though he didn’t say so, he seemed to share her distaste for the party.

She kicked her feet back and forth. “You are from Nitor?”

“I serve in Nitor, or at least, I am Niteo’s personal guard.”

“You must be close to call him without a title.”

“Close?” Fortis winced. “I’m not sure. Titles are only appropriate when I’m addressing someone who has earned my respect.”

Fate considered that for a moment. “Are you suggesting I’ve earned it?” She wanted to ask why Niteo didn’t deserve his respect, but decided it sounded rude.

“You have, at least, not lost it.” He folded his hands and flames ran along his skin. Fire elementals struggled to survive in the cold so it was odd that the triplets even lived in Nex.

Neco approached the fountain and shortly stood before Fate, offering his hand. “Come with me. We still have guests to greet.” Shifting his view to Fortis, he said, “I believe my brother has arrived. He will be looking for his guard.”

Fortis grimaced, furthering Fate’s suspicions about his relationship with King Niteo.

“Looks like we’ll have to reschedule our date,” he said. “I look forward to speaking with you again, Lady Fate.” He stood and bowed a last time. “Happy birthday. I will bring a gift when I find you. I left it with the king. All the more reason to find him, no?”

She nodded to accept his promise and watched him depart. The more time she spent with others, the more she realized how unusual her father behaved. No sooner had she found company than he retrieved her, shooing off Fortis.

Once again, Neco escorted her around the yard like a dog on a leash.

She greeted the nobles and they clapped, praising Neco for having such a beautiful daughter.

After the third greeting, Firmus and Abyssus returned, apologizing.

Neco paid them no mind. He continued leading Fate towards the palace while Abyssus and Firmus straggled after her.

As they moved, her eyes began to study the party scene. The unfamiliar adults scattered across the lawn, each carrying an alcoholic beverage in their hand and chattering mindlessly.

Fate scanned the people in confusion and caught sight of something unexpected. She turned her head slowly to follow the gaze of a startling boy on the opposing side.

White hair swept neatly across his forehead. His mint-colored eyes fixed onto her with equal fascination.

Fate gawked, though she knew it was rude. She meant to call out to him but only whispered, “Who?”

The boy tilted his head and disappeared into the crowd.

Fate wanted to chase after him and ask what family he was from. Never, in all her life, had she encountered a person that looked like him.

Neco continued to draw her farther away from the party. He entered the palace through the back doors and stopped in the main hall.

Lady Fortuna stepped forward, hands pressed against her middle, shoulders and back straight and proper.

In the shadows, the old woman who’d earlier drawn Fortuna away hunched over her wooden cane. Her squinty silver eyes scrutinized Fate in disgust.

Upon feeling the gaze, Fate glanced around to investigate. The guards waited at each doorway, tightly gripping their weapons, but nothing else appeared amiss.

Neco placed his hands on Fate’s shoulders. “Lady Fortuna, I will presume you have met Fate. You must raise her well. I expect that she return with proper training.”