“I think I do,” Kerrigan told her. “I know what it would have meant to me to have someone fight for me when I felt like I had nothing.”

Thea squeezed her hand. “You’re a blessing from the Lament. I will pray for you.”

Kerrigan’s eyes widened as Thea whispered something unintelligible over her hands. “Uh, thanks?”

Clover tried not to laugh. “We’re ready when you are, Thea.”

“Yes, let’s begin the march.”

Thea led the charge. Kerrigan could see that Clover wanted to be up there, leading with her. She pushed Clover forward.

“I’ll hang back with you.”

“No, go on. You deserve it,” Kerrigan said.

Clover waffled for a moment and then fell into step with Thea. Kerrigan waited until she was near the back of the group with the stragglers and then entered the protest. Fae came out of their storefronts to hear Thea’s protest cry—rights for all—on repeat. Some people sneered and called them names, but many more of them nodded along and even called out chants in agreement. Kerrigan would never have guessed so many Fae would agree with them.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Dozan said, slipping to her side at the back of the protest.

His own brown-red hair was covered by a cloak. He’d swapped out his Wastes red for another all-black suit. His amber eyes flitted with danger and lust.

“Even you can’t ruin this for me,” she told him.

“Why would I ruin it, princess?” He reached for her hair, but she grabbed his wrist on reflex.

“Haven’t you heard, I’m betrothed?”

Dozan smirked seductively. “Shall I tell your fiancé what a bad girl you’ve been?”

Kerrigan threw his hand back at him. “I wouldn’t mind actually.”

“Ah, would you prefer a prince to a lord?” he sneered. “Because I remember you falling into bed with a king.”

Kerrigan rolled her eyes. “Your title is made up, Dozan.”

He winked. “So are theirs.”

“Is there a reason you’re here tormenting me?”

“And here I thought this was foreplay.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“That’s what makes us such a team. But yes, I’m here for a reason.”

“Spit it out.”

“I thought you would like to know that the Society has ceased investigating Basem’s killer.”

Kerrigan froze in place. The person behind them nearly ran into her before she realized she’d stopped in the middle of the march. She continued forward. “They stopped? You’re sure? And they didn’t find out who did it?”

“You doubt my contacts?”

No. Though she didn’t have to say it.

“A little birdie told me that not only did they cease, but they also never even questioned anyone in the Society.”

“What?” she gasped.

“Only the Guard.”

“But it had to be an inside job.”