“You’re here. You’re alive.” Her heart was still broken, but one small portion was slowly knitting itself back together. “I’m so sorry, Renzo. I never meant to get you involved in all of this. I never meant…” She couldn’t continue.

Behind her, Malachi cleared his throat.

“Your—your Eminence.” Renzo bowed, eyes wide. “You’re alive!”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Malachi said softly.

“And I, yours,” Renzo returned. “Your brother… he has destroyed many families, I think.”

“He must be stopped,” Malachi said with a grave frown.

Renzo tightened his grip on Nomi. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I didn’t know what happened to you, Nomi. I thought… I thought he might kill you.”

“He tried,” she said, and the fury paced her, a constant, blazing flame in her chest. “He sent me to Mount Ruin. Renzo, the island was nothing like I thought. The women were forced to fight, and Serina…”

Renzo’s eyes widened, and in the sea of grief still threatening to drown Nomi, she found joy in the good news she could impart. “Renzo, Serina staged a rebellion,” she said. “When we arrived on the island, it was entirely run by the women prisoners, and Serina was in charge. You should have seen her, hair wild and face dirty, ordering people around and giving speeches. I’ve never seen anything so incredible in all my life.”

Renzo shook his head. “Serina? Our Serina? But she’s so sweet, so… obedient. I can’t believe—”

“It’s true. She is a warrior now.” Nomi’s voice rang with pride.

The image, as unbelievable as it was, seemed to please him, drawing a smile. He looked behind Nomi. “Where is she? Is she here?”

Nomi shook her head. “She and the other women are taking refuge in Azura.”

“Why didn’t you go with her?” Renzo asked. “You shouldn’t be here, Nomi. It’s too dangerous.”

“Malachi and I were going to find a regiment loyal to him and stop Asa. I didn’t think I’d be able to find you, and Malachi said he would protect you once he was Superior. But the troops weren’t there. And so we went to see Papa and Mama, we thought maybe they might have heard from you—” Her voice broke.

So much sadness in his eyes. She knew her expression mirrored his.

Nomi stared hard at her brother, studied every feature. She’d missed him so much. She could see their mother in his soft cheeks, their father in the quirk of his lips, and herself in his warm golden eyes. His hair was longer, shaggier than usual. She used to cut his hair.

She stared and stared, memorizing.

“What about Asa?” Renzo asked.