I throw my arms around his neck and squeeze him against me. He wraps his arms around me, and I press my face into his shoulder to muffle my sob. Stars, it’s a relief to lean against someone rather than standing on my own. We hold each other until both of our tears die down. I pull back, ducking my head and wiping a hand under my eyes, my shoulders slumping. As meaningful as it is to begin to mend things with Corvus, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re completely screwed.

Before all of this happened, I couldn’t believe that Momma would work for the president she hated. On Titan, I backed out of my deal with General Ives because I knew it was wrong. Now, I’ve made my own agreement with Leonis, though I know exactly how terrible it is. Ever since Momma’s been gone, everything has fallen apart. First we lost her, and then Pol, and now we’re wrapped up in this mess with no way out. I’m afraid it’s too late to stop the war we’ve helped start.

“I’m scared, Corvus,” I say, my voice hoarse. “I don’t want to be a part of this. I don’t want to be this person. But I think it’s too late to turn back.”

“We’ll figure something out.” Corvus presses his forehead to mine and clasps the back of my head. “We’ve always been stronger together. That’s probably why Momma did her damnedest to keep us apart. But you need to come clean with everyone.”

“Yeah. I know.” I clear my throat as something else occurs to me. No more secrets. “Oh, and, uh… while we’re doing the whole honesty thing, I guess I should let you know that Momma wanted to leave Fortuna to you. She told us on the way to Titan.”

Corvus blinks at me, one corner of his mouth creeping into something close to a smile.

“She’s all yours, Scorpia. I was never going to take that away from you.”

Before I can respond, a clattering from the supply closet interrupts us. I jerk away from Corvus, who has his knife in his hand before I see him reach for it. We exchange a nervous glance.

“Someone there?” I call out, my stomach dropping. Shit, shit. I really hope that isn’t one of my sisters eavesdropping. This wasn’t the kind of explanation I wanted to give them.

“Lyre?” Corvus asks the darkness, which seems like the most reasonable guess, but no one responds.

“Maybe something just… fell?” I suggest half-heartedly, but Corvus is already pressing forward, his knife raised and ready. Gnawing my lip, I follow him toward the supply closet. The bay is silent as we approach, and I hold my breath and step lightly, afraid to make any sound.