Prince Meilek gives me an expectant look, but how do I even begin to explain? Once Ronin and Queen Meilyr have won themselves all of Thiy, the only threat remaining will be the Dead Wood. A threat they can control, so long as they have me.

TWENTY-TWO

“Ronin and Queen Meilyr are planning to ambush the leaders in the manor house.”

The corners of Prince Meilek’s lips tighten, but he doesn’t otherwise react. “That seems unlikely.”

I gesture to the man on the ground. “Your proof is right here.”

His eyebrow twitches, a sign of his skepticism. But he addresses Eyebrow Tattoos. “Is this true?”

The man moans miserably, like he’s already been condemned. Prince Meilek repeats the question. Hands clasped for mercy, Eyebrow Tattoos nods.

Prince Meilek steps back, his jaw set. “Take him to the camp for further questioning. Learn everything you can, but speak of this to no one. I’ll meet you there shortly.”

Once the Blades have gone, he turns on his heel, stalking into the nearby trees. His fingers clench and unclench at his side.

I sympathize that he needs to process, but we can’t wait to act. I follow after him. “Prince Meilek, we need to warn everyone.”

He ignores me as we move deeper into the trees. They’re lush and green, the tall grass undisturbed and scattered with blue wildflowers. The sun has disappeared beneath the horizon, but full dark hasn’t yet settled. Beneath the branches, the remaining light is a diffused glow.

He goes only far enough that the sound of rushing water drowns out the noise of those downstream. “Do you know what will happen if we share this information on the word of a single unreliable source?”

“I know what will happen if we don’t. Saengo’s father, the head of House Phang, has already confirmed the queen emptied northern Evewyn of its troops and led them east. I can produce proof of his message if you insist, but we’re wasting time by arguing.”

He prowls along the water’s edge, his agitation feeding my own. “I have to speak to Mei and find out for myself what’s going on. Maybe I can stop her.”

“You can’t. Who knows how long she’s had this planned? Whatever you say now won’t change anything.”

Queen Meilyr must be as adept as Ronin at constructing webs, because she’s woven so many lies and secrets around her brother, her own captain, that he hadn’t even been aware of her plotting.

“And even if, by some miracle, you do manage to change your sister’s mind, what about Ronin?” I say. “Whether she’s there or not, Ronin might continue with their plan and kill everyone, anyway. We have to warn them.”