Laya. Imeria’s fingers twitched. If she tried, she could sink her claws into Laya’s mind and make her throw herself off the cliffs. Duja must have seen the vengeful gleam in Imeria’s eye, because she stepped protectively in front of her daughter, her hands clenched into fists. All three women stumbled as the cliff face gave a menacing lurch.

But Imeria didn’t strike Laya. The princess was heartless and vile, but her words made her take pause. Laya was right; Imeria didn’t know if she could bring back the dead because she had never tried. At this realization, a faint glimmer of hope burst in her chest.

“Luntok,” Imeria said, her voice hoarse.

Duja frowned. “Luntok is⁠—”

“Dead.” She nodded, her mind spinning, and met Duja’s gaze once more. “Please. Let me save him. Give me this, Duja, and I’ll save your king.”

For all anyone knew, it was a hollow promise, but Duja hesitated. “If I allow this, you will begin by saving Aki,” she said, choosing her words with care. “And if this works, you will not linger. You will take your men and get out of Maynara. I never want to see you here again.”

“And if I fail?”

Duja cut her a sharp look. “You will pay for your treason. With your lives.”

In her grief, Imeria still found it in her to let out a dry laugh. “This is the choice you give me⁠—execution or exile?”

“Only if you save my husband’s life.”

Imeria fell silent as she weighed her bargain. These were the words of a desperate queen, but Imeria’s situation was no different. “Very well, then,” she said, and lifted her chin. “I accept your terms. But you will let me save my son first.”

Disgruntled murmurs rang out from the watching crowd. Duja shook her head in disbelief. “Now, Imeria, you overstep.”

“Is that what you think?” Imeria snarled. She took three swift strides to the edge of the cliff, stopping in the same spot where her son had been kneeling moments earlier. “I will save Luntok first or no one at all. If you refuse me now, I will not simply overstep. I will jump straight to the rocks below. So if that’s your decision, make it fast. But think twice before denying me,” she declared, followed by an eruption of horrified gasps.

The queen didn’t lunge for her. At Imeria’s threat, she stood still as a statue. “You wouldn’t,” she answered in a deep, throaty voice.

Imeria stared at Duja, biting her lip to keep it from trembling. “I will be reunited with my son. One way or another.”