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    “What urgent business? Tell me first. If I find it suitable, then I’ll allow you through.”


    Zora’s eyes flicked toward the ck convoy behind him. She had already noticed the figures sitting inside. Caitlin and Sebastian must be among them, only disguised.


    Xero guessed easily what this was–Zora was deliberately making things difficult. It was all because he had rejected her publicly at the royal banquet.


    “We’re going to Santa Aurelia to find Aurelius, for my aunt,” Xero exined calmly. “Her health has been failing, and hospitals can’t diagnose her illness.”


    It was a wless excuse. His aunt, Princess Nevaeh, truly had been unwell.


    Zora knew about the O’Malley family and had met the princess before. She understood that Nevaeh wasn’t in the best condition.


    So Xero hadn’t lied. But she had no intention of letting him off so easily–not after the humiliation he’d given her in public.


    “For something so trivial, why do you need to go personally? Surely one of your men could manage it. Tonight there’s a banquet in the castle. You’ll attend. If youe, I’ll happily see your convoy through.”


    “This…” Xero hesitated, ncing instinctively back at the vehicles. “That may not be appropriate. If I don’t go myself, it will seem insincere.”


    “You needn’t worry. He’ll meet you regardless. Do you think Aurelius would dare refuse the O’Malley family? Even if he would, would he dare slight the crown? Stop making excuses. Come <i>to </i>the banquet, or no one passes this checkpoint.” She turned as if to leave.


    “Miss Preston, wait!” Xero blocked her path. He knew Caitlin’s group was racing against time. He couldn’t let them be dyed.


    “I never said I wouldn’te,” he conceded. “If Miss Preston honors me with an invitation, I’ll dly attend.”


    Her smile curled, triumphant. “Good. You’ll join me at the banquet. Your men can go find Aurelius. When they return, they can fetch you back. Isn’t that convenient?”


    “Yes,” Xero said evenly.


    “Excellent. Thene with me.”


    As he climbed into Zora’s car, he nced once more at Caitlin and the others, signaling them


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    silently not to worry and to continue without him.


    Once he was seated, Zora waved her hand. “Let them through.”


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    The gates creaked open atst, and Sebastian’s convoy moved forward. Caitlin watched anxiously from the rear window as Xero’s vehicle grew smaller and smaller in the distance.


    “What now? He’s turned himself into a hostage for us.”


    “We’ll worry about him after,” Sebastian reassured. “He’ll manage. Zorro wants to win over the O’Malleys. He won’t harm Xero.”


    Zeke, who had been silent until now, spoke with fury. “I should have strangled her when I had the chance. She never should have lived to crawl back to Zorro.”


    “Enough,” Caitlin said softly. “She’s changed her name. From now on she’s nothing to do with you.”


    “You’re right. I should change mine too–take my real father’s name.” Zeke’s tone was firm. He


    shadow.


    I was done with the Preston name, done with Zoreal father’s,


    Two hourster, the convoy reached Santa Aurelia.


    The mountain town shimmered like a jewel set into the ridges, perched high and bright. Only a narrow suspension bridge led inward. Vehicles couldn’t cross. They had to proceed on foot.


    The wooden bridge swayed beneath them, but once across, the view opened into rolling hillsides and vibrant homes. Caitlin took in the sight, her hand in Sebastian’s.


    “Did you know this ce before?” she asked.


    “No,” he admitted. “Why?”


    “Because this was my grandmother’s homnd. Santa Aurelia. Didn’t you know?”


    Sebastian blinked, surprised. “I thought she was from the US.”


    “She told me herself,” Caitlin said with a smile. “Her original surname was Gonzales. When they immigrated to the States, the Sanders family adopted them. That’s when the name changed.”


    Sebastian’s mouth fell open. He was embarrassed. A Vanderbilt, yet he knew less of his grandmother’s history than Caitlin.


    Alicia, walking beside them, perked up. “So she was a Gonzales too? That’s our family name!”


    “Yes,” Caitlin said. “Her name was Valentina Gonzales. Ever heard of her?”


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    “There are too many Gonzales families around here,” Alicia said, shaking her head. “That one doesn’t ring a bell.”


    They continued through the colorful streets until the town gave way to a broader clearing at the base of the mountains. Ahead stood arge lodge–likepound, three stories high.


    A wooden sign marked the entrance: The Varga Healing Institute.


    It wasn’t easy to see the great healer himself. Aurelius rarely appeared. But his students practiced here daily, treating the sick who came from all over the world.


    Diseases that stumped hospitals often found answers here.


    “That’s his institute,” Alicia said excitedly, pointing. “Look how busy it is.”


    She had spent her childhood years here, studying medicine under Aurelius, the ce as familiar as home.


    Caitlin, by contrast, had only studied briefly before Alicia had driven her away. She doubted whether Aurelius would wee her now, let alone agree to help.


    “Let’s just knock on his door,” Zeke urged.


    “Wait. Don’t go straight to the Vargas‘ house,” Alicia cautioned. She hurried off toward the Healing Institute first.


    She found a familiar figure, her senior brother Davor, and pulled him aside.


    His eyes went wide. “Alicia–you’re alive!”


    “Yes.” She smiled faintly. “I’m alive.”


    Davor nced nervously around them and lowered his voice. “After the explosion, when they couldn’t find your body, Graystone started to suspect you survived. They ced men everywhere–surrounded your family home, and even stationed spies here. Do you see those two men in ck coats outside the institute? They’re here for you. Coming back now is dangerous beyond words.”