“There was an emergency down at the port.”

Hara Duja quirked an eyebrow at her. “Oh? What sort of emergency?” she asked, suspicion edging her tone.

Laya tensed. She could see the thoughts swirling in her mother’s mind⁠—the beginnings of a lecture. “A ship got stranded on the rocks. It was blocking the entrance to the harbor. No one else could move it. And I⁠—”

“You what?” Terror flashed in the queen’s eyes. “You moved an entire ship?” she demanded.

Frustration flared at the base of Laya’s throat. “I’ve moved bigger things before. I’m strong enough, you know.”

Stronger than you. Laya stared back at her mother, her hands balling into fists. Sometimes she wondered if the queen had any intention of stepping down from the throne. Even though Hara Duja’s days in power were numbered, she was more determined than ever to keep any true responsibilities out of Laya’s reach.

Her mother’s mouth flattened into a tight line. She gazed at Laya as though she were a batch of kindling that was ready to explode. “I’ve seen you exercise the full extent of your strength, Laya. That is what worries me.”

A stone dropped in Laya’s stomach. Bitter tears threatened to spill out of the corners of her eyes. “Why are you blaming me?” she cried. “I freed that ship. I helped those people. You speak as if that was a bad thing.”

“Nonsense, Laya. What you did with the ship⁠—it isn’t a bad thing. What you might have done, however . . .” The queen fell back against the pillows, pinching the bridge of her nose. In the shadows of her bedroom, she looked wearier than Laya had ever seen her. “We have a long week ahead of us,” she said, in a voice like broken porcelain. “Please, darling. Let me rest.”

Laya swallowed hard. Hara Duja wished to hold her at arm’s length, and she had no choice but to let her. Dejected, she rose and made her way out. She paused when she reached the doorframe, unable to bite back a retort.

“If you want to blame anyone, blame Bulan,” she said. “Because of you, she thinks she’s in charge of me.”

“Laya⁠—” the queen said sharply before Laya slammed the door behind her.

The rage surged inside her chest, rising, up and up, like a cresting wave. She barreled through the corridor and down the stairs, stomping on her sister’s feet on the way.

“Hey!” Eti whimpered.