I stiffened on the dais, my nails digging into the bedding. Despite seeing it with my own eyes, it was still hard to believe that this man and the blood-splattered warrior who had seized me on a zipline were the same person. Just like at the Peace Banquet, Zuri’s long, neat locs twinkled with gold accents, and that metallic combination of iron and sweet agave wafted from his elegant frame.

Am’s Story, Dayo Ray-spoke, grinning. He’s as pretty as you, Tar. Are you sure you don’t want to make babies with anyone? Because—

I nudged him, hard, in the ribs. He kept grinning, Ray vibrating with laughter as I glowered down at Zuri.

“I’m afraid my Rising is over,” I told the king flatly. “If you wanted an audience, you should have come on time.”

“I didn’t want to crowd you,” he said. He stood, looking me over with liquid, inscrutable eyes. “Not after what you went through yesterday. I figured you need as much rest as possible. I am happy to find you revived.”

The concern in his tone sounded genuine. Still, my eyes narrowed. “If you’re so eager for me to rest, why come at all?”

His features danced. “I have brought you a surprise, though I now know you are not fond of them. As your council nears completion, I realized you should begin training for the Underworld as soon as possible.”

My frown deepened, but when Zuri cleared his throat, three people appeared in the doorway. My jaw dropped.

“Woo In,” I squeaked. “You’re all right.”

The last time I’d seen the Redemptor prince of Songland, he’d been languishing with fever on the steppes of Mount Sagimsan. Aside from the arrow wound scar on his abdomen, he appeared to have made a full recovery. His jet, silky hair was longer than I remembered, and tousled, as if he’d flown to the palace. Purple birthmarks covered his sinewy arms and chest, partially concealed by his signature crisp blue cape.

His mouth lifted in a smile. “An honor to see you well, Lady’s Daugh—Empress Tarisai.”

A golden-cheeked infant squirmed in a sling on Woo In’s chest. Beside them both stood a young girl—a Redemptor, no older than Adukeh, with short bobbed hair and pert, jaded features. A massive, translucent blue bird sat on her shoulder, its eyes crystal white.

“Ye Eun,” I breathed, sliding down from the dais to greet her. “I’m so glad to see you.”

I hadn’t known if I ever would. My last memory of Ye Eun was on Mount Sagimsan, her form growing smaller as I rode away on Hyung’s steaming back, racing toward what I thought was certain death. My heart twinged—the way it always did around Ye Eun, the warrior of a girl whose innocence I had failed to protect. I took a step forward, unconsciously reaching to touch her.

The bird’s feathers flashed with blue light. A cold blast seared the air between us, and I snatched my hand back. Glistening ice encased the tips of my fingers. The Imperial Guard warriors at the door gasped, reaching for their weapons.