Brannie’s relationship with Izzy was different from every other relationship she had. Unlike Brannie and Celyn, Brannie didn’t have random, morning fistfights with Izzy. They didn’t argue about who Mum and Da loved more. They didn’t argue about who was more stupid: Oxen or their brother Fal. They simply enjoyed each other’s company, whether sitting in Izzy’s tent drinking Uncle Bercelak’s ale or in the midst of battle.

Brannie and Keita, on the other hand, had little in common. They were blood relations but that was all.

So what could Brannie possibly say to the royal that would somehow connect them and make this bloody trip at least tolerable?

“I . . .” Brannie began, walking fast to keep up with Keita. “I . . . uh . . . heard that cousin Eugenie is sleeping with Duke Clemens.”

Keita got a few more feet before she stopped and, slowly, faced Brannie.

“What?”

Brannie cleared her throat. “Eugenie is sleeping with Duke Clemens.”

“He’s more than sixty winters. And her mother hates humans.”

“And he’s an old human. Eugenie’s mum is said to be beside herself with rage. Uncle Rhys doesn’t know how to handle it. His wife is that angry.”

“I don’t blame her,” Keita said, glancing off. “Eugenie’s a baby. Not even eighty yet.”

“Her brother says she’s an old soul.”

“She’s not an old soul. She’s a young soul that likes pissing off her mother. I should know . . .” She shrugged. “I’m the queen of Pissing-Off-Mother Land.”

Brannie chuckled but, after a few moments, she asked, “How did you know?” Keita raised her eyebrows. “About Ren.”

She held out her hand, revealing a gold medallion and chain in her palm.

“This was his. I found it among the bodies outside the fort.”

“So? He could have dropped—”

“It was sewn inside him.” She stroked her left side. “I and other Protectors have the same thing. The only way they could have gotten it—”

“Was to cut it out of him.”

“And he wouldn’t have let that happen unless he was already dead.”

“I’m sorry, Keita. I really am. I’ve always liked Ren so much. We all have.”

She closed her palm and placed her fist against her chest. “He fit in well among us. On both sides of the family. Amazing, since he was nothing like any of us.”

Keita’s head dropped and she stared at the ground. That’s when Brannie realized the rain had stopped. It was much quieter now, so they could hear the screams of the dying from the fort more clearly now.

“Look, Branwen . . .” Keita’s shoulders slumped a little under her wet cape. “I have to do things. When we get to the Eastlands. And I don’t have time to argue—”

“I know what you have to do. Mum told me.”

Keita lifted her gaze to Brannie’s. “And?”