At the sound of the word “dead,” Sora fell into another bout of sobs. “I’m useless! I couldn’t even protect Mama and Papa. They had nothing to do with this war. But it’s because of me that they got dragged into it, and now Hana has Papa, and Mama is . . .” She couldn’t finish.

“Shh.” Daemon rocked Sora against him. “Don’t for a second think this is your fault. It’s the Dragon Prince’s. We’ll get out of here somehow and save your father. And you’re not useless. I mean, look what you managed to do.” He slipped his fingers into the hidden pocket in her collar and retrieved the silk drawstring pouch where she kept Prince Gin’s soul.

“What is that?” Empress Aki asked.

“I’m not sure you’d believe us if we told you,” Daemon said.

“I think I’ve seen quite enough in recent days that I’d believe anything now.” She let out a mirthless laugh.

It was a fair point. “All right.” He opened the pouch but left the pearl inside. It was rolling a bit, as if trying to get out. The grotto must have been enchanted with the prince’s magic. “This is your brother’s soul.”

The empress startled. “What? He said he’d given it to Zomuri.”

“You knew he’d made a bargain?” Fairy asked.

“Yes,” Empress Aki said. “He gloated about it. But I thought that meant Zomuri had taken Gin’s soul.”

Daemon tugged the pouch’s drawstrings closed. “Spirit and Broomstick found Zomuri’s vault, broke in, and stole the soul pearl.”

“You did what?” Empress Aki blinked at them. “And this all happened while I was locked up here?”

“We’re sorry we didn’t get to you sooner. We should have done a better job and protected you from Prince Gin’s torture.”

The empress began laughing. Sora’s head snapped up.

“A better job?” Empress Aki shook her head as if in disbelief. “How many times do I have to tell you? No one could even dream of accomplishing what you’ve done. My brother came back with overwhelming magic, took possession of the minds of almost every taiga, and struck a deal with a bloodthirsty god to make himself unstoppable. In any other scenario, that should be the end of Kichona as we know it.

“But somehow, you’re still here, and not only that but you’re thwarting Gin against all odds. You broke into a god’s lair and stole one of his most valuable possessions. So don’t apologize for not doing ‘a better job.’”

“See?” Daemon whispered to Sora. “You’re not useless at all.”

Sora mumbled a protest, but she sat up and wiped her eyes.