The other soldier, sounding slightly nervous, called after him, “Let us know if anything goes wrong.”

Rohan smirked but answered without looking back. “Yes, soldier.”

When Rohan reached the kitchen, he deposited his sack of bones and beckoned to Thisbe. Thisbe glanced at Dev, then sidestepped through the doorway and around the corner.

“How is he today?” Rohan asked, meaning Dev.

“He had another moment when he recognized me. I was just getting up the nerve to tell him to drink another dose, but I worry that he’ll tell the Revinir I said it.”

“Well, you can stop worrying. She’s ordered another round, and I’ve been commissioned by the guards to do their job for them.”

Thisbe stared. “That’s great!”

“There’s only one problem.”

“What is it?”

“Prindi has been called to the castle tomorrow to work there. That means she’ll start walking at dawn.”

“And . . . how is she?”

“She seemed to recognize me for a brief moment, and her eyes are less glassy. I think the Revinir will notice, especially with how much she scrutinizes us every time.”

“Oh no! She’ll only become more lucid with this dose,” said Thisbe, a worried look on her face. “We could give her the dragon-bone broth this time—that would put her back to the same level as Reza. Ugh, but I hate to do that. Can we risk giving everyone two like we did before? And try making a break for it tonight?”

“You read my mind,” said Rohan. “Can we? Do we have anything to lose?”

“Only everything,” said Thisbe, trying to smile. She reached up and touched Rohan’s cheek.

Dev appeared in the doorway behind them. He stared. “What are you doing?”

Thisbe and Rohan whirled to face him. Dev’s eyes were clearer than they’d been in ages. “Dev!” whispered Thisbe.

“Why are we down here again?” Dev demanded.

Rohan and Thisbe glanced at each other, and Rohan nodded. “Dev,” Thisbe said again, and reached for his hand. “We have to take another dose of broth.”

Dev pulled away, and in an instant his eyes were glazed again.

Thisbe went into the throne room and picked up a vial of the ancestor broth, then brought it out to Dev. “Drink this. The Revinir ordered it.”

Dev seemed confused, but he took the vial. Obediently he uncorked it and took a swig, swallowing it all down.

“And . . . ,” said Thisbe, watching him carefully. “One more.” She handed him another, making sure it was the ancestor broth.

Dev’s face looked pained, but he took it and sipped this one. When he finished, he held his stomach. Thisbe and Rohan helped him to sit on the floor.