“I’m just glad I could help,” Keita said so demurely that Brannie had to look at Aidan to make sure she wasn’t imagining it all.

She wasn’t.

“Reuniting mother and son.” Keita pressed her hand to her chest, right over her heart and her voice hitched a bit as she spoke. “You have no idea how much it means to me, Empress.”

Good gods, was Keita the Viper crying? What was happening?

“I can never repay you, my child, for bringing my most important and best loved child back to me.”

Ren at least cringed a bit at his mother’s words, while his siblings glared at him behind her back.

“No repayment necessary. Ensuring the continued happiness of the Chosen Dynasty is enough.”

Aidan pressed his mouth against Brannie’s ear and whispered, “Wait for it.”

Keita gave a sweet smile and added, “But if I were to ask for a favor . . .”

“Boom,” he added before pulling away. Brannie’s snort causing Ren’s siblings to suddenly look at her.

“Anything, my dearest Keita. Just tell me.”

“Fight by my mother’s side against the Zealots in the Southlands.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Uh-oh,” Brannie muttered.

“Why would you do it?” Keita asked, her voice no longer demure. “Because your beautiful, gorgeous son is back—alive and well. And that, Your Majesty, is due to me.”

“And your cousin, yes?”

“Her cousin is mighty,” Batu added. “Very helpful in this. More helpful than decadent royal.”

“You and I,” Keita said, her finger swinging wildly between her and Batu. “No longer friends!”

The Empress faced Brannie. “Well, Lady Branwen—”

“It’s just Captain, Your Majesty.”

“Captain Branwen. I remember when your dear mother was a captain. I wonder how long before we call you general as we call her.”

“Oh, puleese.” Keita sneered.

“And for bringing my son back to me, dear, dear Captain Branwen, ask me for anything you may want. Jewels, gold, a fancy palace with a view here in the Eastlands. Ask and you shall receive.”

Branwen really didn’t know how to answer. Because she didn’t know what was going on.

Aidan pressed his hand against her back and she knew he was trying to tell her something but, again, she still didn’t know what was going on.

“ Uh . . . well . . .”

“Her?” Keita demanded, stepping between the Empress and Brannie. “You’re giving her what she wants?”

“Why not me?” Brannie asked. “I’m affable.”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Well, let me ask you this, my dearest Keita,” the Empress said, curling a lock of Keita’s red hair around her finger. “Did you come here to find and release my son? Or did you come here to poison my entire family because you thought Ren was dead and you wanted to make sure we didn’t attack your mother from the sea?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”