Once Thane was no longer at risk for the gods’ table, the king pressed me on whether I had sensed any bones in the ground. The way Damir spoke, I wasn’t certain Melder Fadey stepped into the mirror land. It seemed more like the former melder had inclinations or instincts where new bones might be found.

I wanted to know why Skul Drek could step into the mirror like me, then kill beyond the gates as well as a Stav. I wanted to know why he spoke to me, why a thread of craft seemed to tether me to him whenever I melded.

Several days after the prince recovered, mists crept over the lawns of the fortress like spreading poison.

I tightened a fur mantle around my shoulders, watching as a line of cloaked Stav Guard rode into the gates, saddles laden with pouches and bags.

They’d recovered the bones I’d seen glowing in the rotted knolls after the rank melding.

Across the courtyard, I caught the king’s gaze. It wasn’t kind; his eyes burned with something sharp and greedy. Damir dipped his chin toward me, a grin spreading.

He was pleased.

He would ask for more; he would search for more.

Let him rest.

I did not know how to end it. If I did not comply, perhaps Kael would be used against me.

If I did as the king asked, a deadly creature built in the darkness would level his blade at my throat soon enough.

“I don’t even know where to go for a fitting.” I finished tying off the end of my braid and faced Emi, who looked less like a Stav Guard and more like one of Queen Ingir’s courtiers in the pale dress. “In Skalfirth, ladies did not get fitted for gowns. They had us—their servants—make them.”

“Your days of pricking your fingers and untangling yarn are over.”

I tossed my braid over my shoulder, inspecting my face in the mirror. Since using my craft for the king, the scars of silver in my eyes had brightened.

In truth, I rather enjoyed the times when Lady Jakobson would demand her daughters’ or her own dresses be sewn. Selena and I would sit and snicker with other women, catch up on gossip, who might be courting whom, while Kael got to go gut rancid fish and eel in the deep seas with Thorian.

I slid my palms over my hips. Fuller than they’d been back home. The hearty meals sat on my bones better than seed breads and root stews.

Emi offered me a bemused look and nudged my side with her elbow. “You’ll enjoy yourself, I swear it. The market is diverting and you could use it. These last weeks, you’ve been jolting at everything.”

“Could it be because ravagers have attacked? The prince nearly died? Feels like I brought a curse to this place.”