Anya had told Prince Jasper about her older brother, Yevgeny. When Jose saw the name “Yevgeny Copperstone” on the letter, he swallowed nervously. Why would Anya’s brother be sending him a letter? He began to read it.
Jose Ramirez,
Word has reached me that you are seeking safe passage to my family’s town, as you have lost your father in the war and your stepmother is a Copperstone. I am unaware of any women in my family wedding an Estrellian single father, but I do not doubt your story. No Estrellian would lie about having witches in his family, even if they were not blood relations.
Travel is most unsafe at this time, so I will be sending an escort to bring you to the Copperstone ancestral home of Wind’s Grove. Hopefully we can locate your stepmother and reunite the two of you. When the escort arrives, be sure to show him any and all proof of your stepmother’s parentage. Otherwise, he will leave without you.
This letter should precede the arrival of your escort by roughly a week.
Be safe,
Yevgeny Copperstone
Jose looked up from the letter, his heart in his throat.
“What does it say?” Vido prompted.
“My stepmother’s family has heard I am here. They are sending someone to fetch me and escort me to their town so I may reunite with her,” Jose croaked. Vido beamed.
“Excellent news! I will be sad to see you go, but happy to know you are with family.” Vido turned to Manuel. “And you, Manuel? What does your letter say?”
“I have told you that I am searching for my mother’s brother,” Manuel said. Vido and Jose nodded. Manuel’s only living family member that he had met was his maternal uncle, Tiago. “My Uncle Tiago has found me! This letter is from him! He will be coming to take me with him soon.”
“Where?” Jose asked.