They were painted an even cream, arching in high bulbous statues, with grand gold doors and cobblestoned pathways. But with no people and no echo of the music that usually flowed from the windows—remnants of the enchanted government orchestra instruments that played endless symphonies from dusk until dawn—they had a dead quality to them that made Saxony’s jaw go tight.

Ashwood had sucked the spirit from this realm and it would take time to call it back.

Saxony shuffled among the crowd.

Karam, Tavia, and Zekia were lined up alongside her, as rows of the realm communicators—who usually spread gossip faster than news—waited among the public in anticipation for the talk to begin.

It would be the first time the Doyen had made an official appearance and an official announcement since the war had ended, and Saxony was eager to hear exactly what it was she had to say after days spent in discussion with Wesley.

Schulze hadn’t let the rest of them be a part of the talks. It was a sacred and serious discussion, she’d said, between her and the underboss, who could represent the buskers and the Crafters.

After all, Wesley belonged to both.

“I wish they’d hurry up,” Tavia said. “I need to pee.”

“Then pee here,” Karam said. “It is not like anyone expects buskers to have manners.”

“Is that why you brought knives?” Tavia asked. “Because you’re so well mannered?”

“They argue a lot, huh?” Zekia asked.

She was standing on her tiptoes so that she could whisper in Saxony’s ear.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Saxony said.

She smiled at her sister, and when Zekia laughed, a peace fell into Saxony’s heart.

She couldn’t believe her little sister was laughing at her side again.

The crowd rumbled, murmurs growing as Fenna Schulze finally walked out onto the stage, followed by over a dozen armed guards and Wesley Thornton Walcott. He stood next to the podium as Schulze cleared her throat and readied to address the realm.

“I am here today not just as your Doyen, but as a citizen of this realm,” she said. “As many of you know, just days ago the Kingpin known as Dante Ashwood was killed, as part of a joint effort between our forces and volunteers from buskers and Crafters across the realm.”

The audience stirred at the mention of Crafters.

Saxony’s people were supposed to be the bad guys, after all.

“Because of these noble efforts, we were able to end the war that threatened our peace and our freedom,” Schulze continued. “And with thanks to our allies, we were also able to develop a cure for Dante Ashwood’s mind-control elixir. This has already been made available across Creije and Yejlath, and will be distributed to the other cities in the realm within the coming days.”