“Oh, no, not at all surprised. I’d expect nothing less from you.” It’s low-key shade, but if she senses it, she says nothing.

“You made it back okay!” Zora rushes our way.

“Good to see you too, Zora.” Warmth churns in me at the joy in her tone. We’re really in this as a unit.

“Jelani, Julius, so good to see you.” She slaps a hand on my back. “How did it go?”

“It was… enlightening. I’ll say that.” I update Zora on everything, out of earshot of Taavi. I want to approach Taavi on my own about it. See how she responds—what she admits to knowing. Because if the Chancellor is indeed her father… there’s a reason she hasn’t told me.

Zora asks tens of thousands of questions, down to where the access point was and how we broke through the wall. “So, the plan is still to get the hair from Shaun and cast the spell, yes?” she asks.

“Ye…”

“Good, remember, the Yakanna stand with you.”

Taavi clears her throat, and I remember she’s waiting. Zora rushes off, catching up with Bri, and I follow Taavi through their camp.

“So, uhm, what did you want to see Mother about?” She turns to Julius before I can answer. “There’s some water over there and a few bites to eat if you want.”

“I’m good, right here.” He shoves his hands in his pockets, sticking close to me, but gazing in the opposite direction. Giving our convo privacy, I guess, but making it clear he ain’t going nowhere.

“She’s just been really tired is all,” Taavi says, tugging at her ear. “Out here the sun is on her skin and, well… it’s not going well. Sh-she’s eating though. And drinking lots. I made sure of that. We found her a nice, shaded spot. But this is… it’s just a lot for her.” Taavi rambles on, filling the silence, her hands fidgeting. She brushes the blood oath scars on her arm. I’m tempted to call her ass out right now for concealing that the Chancellor is her father. But this is chess, not checkers.

“I just wanna see how she’s doing,” I say.

“Ah, I see. Well, just try not to keep her too long. She needs her rest.” Taavi leads me to her mother without another word. But she’s smart. I have no doubt she read between the lines and knows something’s up.