“That’s the goal,” said Thisbe. “How quickly can you get me more ancestor bones? The sooner I can make that broth, the faster we can get the other black-eyed slaves on board with our plan.”

Rohan glanced out of the tunnel at his door. “If you want to take a risk and blast me out of here, I can go right now and leave them for you in the kitchen, hidden in a sack.”

Thisbe eyed him and saw how tired he was. “We need a good night’s sleep for once, or neither of us will be at our best. Besides, how will you explain your broken lock?”

“Good point. Perhaps we should save the explosions for the final stages so no one becomes suspicious about us.”

“That seems wise.” Thisbe grinned. “Though, if they’re not onto us after I blasted this tunnel, I imagine they never will be.” She still thought Mangrel must have at least suspected something—the explosions had rocked the walls. Unless he’d been sound asleep in another wing of the catacombs, he would have felt it. “Where does Mangrel sleep?”

“Closer to the river.”

“Oh. Maybe that’s why he didn’t come when I blew the tunnel open.”

“Maybe.” Rohan rested his eyes and let out a long sigh. “I hope Maiven is okay.”

“Me too. What is she doing while you’re here?”

“She told me not to worry. That she had plenty of things to do.”

“She’s so old and frail. How can we help but worry? She could die any minute.”

Rohan lifted his head and shifted his weight on one elbow, facing Thisbe. “You don’t know who she is, do you?”

Thisbe shrugged. “I know she’s important somehow. Who is she?”

Rohan cast a guilty look down. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this, but I . . . waited. It’s kind of big news, I guess, and I wasn’t sure how to say it.”

Thisbe stared. Her voice faltered. “Big news?”

Rohan looked up. “Maiven was the queen of Grimere. That castle that the Revinir took over? It’s hers.”

Thisbe’s heart thudded, and she sucked in a breath. The actual queen?

“She was also the commander of the military. She’s not as frail as she seems. You should have seen the difference once we got some decent food and she could move around again and get exercise. As soon as she was able, she took her weapons out of storage and started working with them. Within a week she was a different person. I can only imagine how strong she’s gotten in the time I’ve been away.”