And why did Rohan have to come here in the first place? He could have messed up everything. Luckily his answers were good. He’d actually made the Revinir believe Thisbe even more, but it could have been very bad. Surely she’d discussed overthrowing the Revinir multiple times with him since they’d been in the catacombs. In fact, they’d talked about it extensively on the way to Artimé—so why didn’t he say that? But Thisbe had also noticed that the Revinir hadn’t asked him the question quite right. And words mattered. She’d asked him when Thisbe had talked about overthrowing her. Not the most recent time, but “when.” That would technically include times before the most recent ones, and he’d answered truthfully. So that little technicality had saved her. She turned the corner and blew out a breath, knowing she was out of sight of the Revinir.

As she neared her suite, she glanced behind her to make sure that Rohan was still obediently following her. It was pathetic seeing him like this. And now she had to treat him like a slave. Like the very thing he’d been so valiantly trying to fight against. The same efforts he now believed Thisbe had turned against.

She’d hurt him so deeply. Would those wounds ever heal? The only thing that gave her comfort is that he wouldn’t remember this part of things later. But was there a way Thisbe could track down some ancestor broth to use as an antidote? Or would that only complicate things until Thisbe had secured her position and done away with the Revinir?

“Thisbe,” she chided. How could she even think like that? If she had ancestor broth in her possession, she’d have no choice but to give it to Rohan immediately and face whatever consequences followed. But she had none, and she was pretty sure there wasn’t any in the catacombs anymore… not that she could disappear for a day in search of some. She’d have to make a new batch. Somehow. There had to be a way. But of course the Revinir would find out.

Thisbe was so tired. When she found Zel sleeping on the floor outside her door, waiting for her to come back from her meeting, she shook her awake. “The Revinir wants you to go back to work in the kitchen,” Thisbe said softly, her voice catching. “Maybe just go to your room for now and report there in the morning, okay?”