“You know it’s not just us. It’s Vesria, too.” Wren ignored the glares of the couple who knocked into her as they danced by. “I took a made-up job for the promise of a made-up alliance. It was all just a ruse designed to lure me here.”

“But why?” Una said impatiently. “I don’t see a motive.”

“Can’t you just trust me?”

“I did,” she snapped.

“I know I’ve wronged you. I wish I could tell you how sorry I am.” She tried not to be deterred by Una’s unimpressed silence. “I don’t know his motive yet, but if you come with me now, I believe we can find the answers. There’s a secret passage in the east wing, and— Quit looking at me like I’m insane! What harm will it do to just humor me and check?”

“I’ve indulged you for far too long already,” she said slowly. “You expect me to believe someone like you solved this case? Do you have evidence?”

Someone like you.

Emotional. Reckless. Weak.

Anger sparked within her. “There’s goddessblood being shipped here. I can prove that.”

“And do you have any concrete proof people were being poisoned here?”

She had Hal. But if she told Una about him, he wouldn’t make it out of this estate unscathed. “Not yet. But I saw that boy we captured at an inn where they’re growing it. He can confirm everything I’ve told you.”

“And can you prove that he’s there? Right now? Can you guarantee he’ll still be there?”

Wren clenched her teeth. “No. I can’t.”

“Then why would you expect me to insult our host and jeopardize this alliance by sneaking around the house like a common thief?”

“Because we’re friends!” Her voice seemed to shatter the air around them. Dozens of curious stares skewered her as she stood humiliated and paralyzed in a whirl of black fabric.

“Are we really?” Una asked lowly. “Time and time again, I covered for you. I tolerated your emotional outbursts. I risked my job for you. You repaid me by lying to me and leaving me alone in the cold.”

“Why would I lie about this?” Her voice thickened with tears. Her vision swam until she saw nothing but watery light and Una’s wavering form. “Lord Lowry is the one who convinced the queen to reinstate me. Why would I sabotage that if I didn’t have a good reason?”

“I don’t think you’re lying. You truly believe this theory of yours.”

“It’s not a theory!”

“Look at you, crying like a child even now.” She sneered. “You’re still weak because I was too soft on you.”

Wren heard her own sharp intake of breath. Heard the exact moment her heart cracked down the middle.