He stared at me for a moment. I knew his hesitation came from a good place, but I wanted what I wanted. I was not delusional. I knew seeing her would be difficult. I knew it would be how I remembered her for the rest of my life, but I needed to say goodbye.

Adrian took me to Violeta.

I expected her to be in the old sanctuary, but she was prepared for her funeral in her chamber.

“I did not want the entire castle to gawk at her,” he explained, though I did not prompt him. And while I thought I could guess why, I still was not prepared when I entered her chamber. Though she was covered from head to toe in a black shroud, her body was bruised and swollen.

A dizzying wave of emotion brought tears to my eyes again and a tightening to my chest. I took a breath, but it left me in a huff, my mouth quivering.

I sat down at her side, staring at her face beneath the shroud.

“She died for nothing,” I said. We never even managed to finish the spell. “I should have never asked her.”

“You cannot blame yourself for her choice to help.”

“Perhaps I should blame myself for thinking we could cast a counterspell at all,” I said.

“Or you could honor Violeta and acknowledge that it was an incredibly brave thing,” Adrian said.

I took a shuddering breath, and I lowered the veil.

I could not describe the physical pain I felt once I could see her injuries in the full light of her room. She did not look like Violeta at all, her eyes swollen shut, her cheeks cut and bruised, her mouth sunken and torn.

I thought I could kiss her goodbye, but I only had the strength to cover her face again.

I rose quickly and faced Adrian, brushing the tears from my face.

“She was brave,” I said.

And while we had hung those responsible for her death today, the two I blamed most remained free—Solaris and Ravena.

“You said Solaris is awaiting punishment?”

“He is,” Adrian replied, his expression growing hard. I knew he was preparing to argue with me.

“Let me execute it,” I said.

Adrian stared at me, assessing. “Are you going to punish him or kill him?” Adrian asked.

I glared, and my anger burned my skin. I pushed past him and left Violeta’s room.

“Isolde!” Adrian followed close behind and reached for my arm, turning me toward him. I jerked away.

“When will the value of our people exceed the value of your agenda? When will my value exceed it?”

Adrian flinched.

“Solaris might as well have been in that grove himself, striking and beating and murdering us. Will you stand aside while he inspires another witch hunt?”

Adrian closed the distance between us, his hands on my shoulders. He spoke between his teeth, eyes flashing with fury.