He forced himself to meet Rosa’s flinty stare, searching for a sign that some part of her knew how badly she’d strayed. Perhaps she even knew and couldn’t bear the pain of the admission. Malachi of all people knew the strange comfort of being trapped – the absolution of actions taken or denied, all the while claiming events had conspired against you. He had to find a way to reach her. Not only for Viktor’s sake, but hers also.

“That’s what I want to discuss,” he said at last. “Tell me what you know.”

“Why? It’ll be a matter of record once the provosts have done their work.”

Their work. The butchery of a friend. How could she speak so calmly? “Because I want to hear it from you. I want to know what you know, while there’s still anything left of Viktor to save. Will you do that for me?”

“Where is she?”

Marek’s head snapped aside. Blood oozed up where Lady Kiradin’s heavy rings had torn his cheek. A hearthguard wrenched the steward’s arm behind his back and shoved his head forward, keeping him on his knees.

Apara watched with distaste from beside the hearth. Even with all the blood that had flowed over her hands, the display turned her stomach. She was grateful for that revulsion. She clung to it.

“Where. Is. She?”

A backhanded slap punctuated each word, the strikes opening fresh wounds.

“I don’t know,” gasped Marek. “You think I’d ask? You think she’d tell me?”

Lady Kiradin froze, her hand backswept for another blow. A low growl escaped parted lips. Then she straightened, the animal snarl retreating from her expression and a semblance of decorum returning. Stooping, she set a knuckle beneath his chin and tilted back his head.

“No. A secret’s worth nothing when shared with the likes of you. I see that now.” She sighed. “How could you do it, Marek? Have I not treated you well?”

“Better than I could ever have dreamed, lady,” his voice shook as he spoke.

“I thought perhaps you understood what was necessary. I thought you had the strength for this.” Her expression wavered, a rare moment of vulnerability glimpsed and concealed. “Lumestra damn me for a fool for ever thinking that. This isn’t what I wanted for you. It’s what you’ve chosen. You must understand that.”

Marek stared at the floor and offered no reply.

Lady Kiradin straightened and fixed the hearthguard with a baleful stare. “Set the dogs on him. Cast whatever remains into the sea.”