“‘Let’ is a stretch. I agreed not to use my ability and Eli was highly motivated. The hit was fair.” Torran gestured at the food on the table. “We should eat before it gets cold.”

I stared at the table as if it were a dangerous animal and didn’t move.

“I will eat elsewhere if you prefer,” Torran said, his voice quiet.

I reminded myself that I was an adult, and Lexi wouldn’t have given him my favorite recipe if she didn’t think he deserved a chance to be heard. And like it or not, I had to work with him for the next nine days, and likely longer, since I doubted the empress was just going to let us go even if we found her nephew. Why would she voluntarily lose a valuable bargaining chip?

I gingerly slid into the closer chair. When Torran remained standing, I waved at the seat opposite me. “It’s fine.”

He sat, and we dug in. The delicious flavor of the curry warmed my mouth and soothed the ragged edges of my soul. I could tell that he hadn’t had quite the right spice blend, but he’d gotten surprisingly close. I focused on my food and let the silence stretch. It felt tense and awkward, but breaking it meant that I’d have to reveal exactly how much he’d hurt me.

I had nearly finished my bowl when Torran said, “I can get you and your team out tonight. You’ll have to leave your ship, for now, but I’ll return it as soon as I am able.”

I blinked at him. “Is this some kind of test? I take the offer, and the empress shoots me out of the sky and kicks off another war?”

Torran’s mouth flattened into a grim line. “No. You would be snuck out. Empress Nepru would not know you were gone until you were already in Bastion.”

“And what of your nephew?”

His gaze slid down and away. “My team and I will continue to search.”

“What aren’t you telling me?” I demanded.

“It doesn’t concern you.”

“If the empress is willing to sacrifice Cien, then what will she do to you once she realizes you’ve let her backup plan slip through your fingers?”

“It doesn’t concern you,” he repeated. “I vowed safe passage. I will keep the promise. If your ship cannot be recovered, I will replace it.”

The thought of losing Starlight was enough to steal my breath for a moment, but I returned to the question at hand. “What will happen to you?” I demanded, enunciating each word.

Torran sighed and rubbed his face. “I don’t know. Perhaps nothing.”

“And if it’s not nothing?”

“Then I’ll be tried for treason.”