I sat on the edge of the bed. “I thought Morten was done fucking us over.” It wasn’t what she meant, but it was the only thing I could talk about without wanting to cry.

Lexi’s face darkened. “I should’ve stabbed that little weasel when I had the chance.”

“Then we would’ve never gotten out. We did the best we could with what we had.” Just like we were doing now.

“For what it’s worth, Chira said Torran really didn’t know about the empress’s plan,” Lexi said, “and that he was furious when he found out.” I glared at her and she raised the hand that wasn’t petting Luna. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

“What if I just stab the messenger, instead?”

“I’m not making excuses for him, because what he did was shitty, but I can tell you care for him, at least as a friend.” She raised her eyebrows but didn’t comment on whether she thought it was more than that. “You don’t have to forgive him, but you should at least hear him out before you chuck him into a volcano.”

Based on my current level of anger, a volcano might be too good for him.

A bitter smile touched Lexi’s mouth. “Kee said you told him about Rodeni, or at least enough that he could draw the right conclusions about what really went down. But before you explained, how did it look from his side? Like you ruthlessly murdered a bunch of innocents. Every story has two sides.” She eased Luna off her lap and stood. “Just think about it.”

“It hurts,” I whispered.

Lexi sat next to me and wrapped her arms around me. “I know,” she murmured.

My control snapped and the pain and grief poured out of me in a silent deluge of tears. Lexi procured a handkerchief from one of her hidden pockets and pressed it into my hands, then went back to hugging me, offering quiet strength and support.

After I’d finally cried myself out, I squeezed her tight. “Thanks, Lexi.”

“Of course.” She leaned back and pinned me with a hard stare. “Don’t forget, while you’re so busy taking care of everyone else, that it’s okay to let someone take care of you, occasionally, too.”

“I don’t—” Her stare got fiercer, so I raised my hands in surrender. “I’ll try.”

She squeezed me again. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow is a new day.”

I bid her good night and she left with a final wave. My room felt emptier without her presence, but overall, I felt better. The emotional maelstrom had settled a bit, bringing clarity. I would find Cien, I would stop whatever war was brewing, and then I would get the hell out of Valovian space.

If the thought made my heart ache, I ignored it.

Chapter Twenty-Four