Behind her came a crash, as the Talon she’d left behind burst from the tower. “Summon a mender,” Akeylah barked, before he could recover from his shock at seeing the queen in her arms, prone on the ground.

As he sprinted away, Akeylah rocked back on her heels.

Our father, the vision said.

You’re no daughter of mine, Father had shouted before he died.

Either Ren or Zofi were behind this nightmare all along… or they had another sister out there.

25

Zofi

Kolonya City had turned green.

Chartreuse drapes shrouded the windows of every building. Jungle-green garlands hung from every railing on the streets leading to Ilian Keep. The few passersby Zofi spotted wore every shade from lime to emerald, and the Keep itself flew dark green flags from each tower.

The grounds around the Keep were silent, the only movement from a handful of merchants in the market square, much quieter than it would normally be. Anyone who strayed too close to Ilian Keep, Zofi noticed, held up their fingers in warding symbols, as though to fend off the curse that had struck down the king.

Rumors flew among the few people who braved the markets. They whispered that the king’s family was cursed. First Yasmin, then Andros, and now, that very morning, as rumor would have it, Queen Rozalind had been attacked, as well.

Zofi couldn’t help but think about what she’d learned from her mother’s notes. About the child Yasmin and Andros had conceived together, her hidden half sibling. Child of a Vulgar Arts curse. Stronger than anyone in the Arts…

Zofi and Vidal crouched under the awning of an empty market stall, half a block from Ilian Keep. After switching their mounts a second time and riding all morning, they’d arrived in the early afternoon, and found a bevy of Talons at every door of the Keep.

“We need to get in there,” Zofi whispered.

Vidal frowned. “They’re not going to let you just waltz inside, Zofi. Let me go ahead, bring a message to your sisters.”

“While I do what? Hide out in the city, praying I find some Traveler-friendly merchant to camp with, one who won’t recognize the king’s banished daughter?” She shook her head. Already, afternoon sun lit the exterior of the Keep, made it appear to glow, each of the ten towers a different color of shining stonewood.

Every minute that ticked past was another minute the heir had to prepare. Who knew what was happening within those walls already? She thought about the rumored attack on Rozalind, and an empty pit yawned in her gut.

It was only a matter of time before the heir went after Ren or Akeylah next.

“You’ll have to tithe just to get inside,” Vidal was arguing. “You’ll be defenseless in there.”