Kael stopped dead in his tracks.

“You can’t?” he repeated slowly, turning to face his father. “You’re sending her into the forest with no guarantee of safety?”

Rhyker’s jaw flexed. “I can control my warriors. I cannot control fate, I cannot control bloodlines. And I certainly cannot control whatever awakens inside her.”

“That is not an answer!” Kael snapped.

“It is the only one I have,” Rhyker said wearily, rubbing a hand over his face. “This is bigger than you ...