Zofi drove her fist into one Talon’s throat, and kicked at the other’s legs. But her movements were sluggish, tired after her tithe. The first Talon choked on her blow, but the second dodged her kick. A split second later, something pricked Ren’s neck. She looked at Zofi, saw a feathered dart protruding from her sister’s shoulder.

The world went dark.

27

Akeylah

Roz.” Akeylah hovered on the threshold.

The queen rolled over to squint through sleep-blurred eyes. “Akeylah. What happened?”

Akeylah crossed to her bedside. Rozalind had been moved to the general nursing wing today, so menders could care for her in rotation.

The curse had taken a toll.

Akeylah had just finished speaking to the mender in charge. They hadn’t told Rozalind about the baby yet. They thought Akeylah would be better equipped to break the news.

Her stomach knotted with a million different fears. Not least of which was Ren and Zofi, who’d gone off half an hour ago to follow Ren’s hunch. Ren had insisted Akeylah stay behind, in case it went badly. Zofi was the warrior, anyway.

But Akeylah couldn’t help feeling like she should have gone. Like her sisters were walking into the viper’s den while she sat up here, safe and sound. So she’d come to the infirmary to distract herself, hoping for good news.

She should have known better.

She perched on a visitor’s chair next to the sterile, narrow bed, and gripped the queen’s hand. “You’re safe,” Akeylah murmured. “That’s what matters.” The backs of her eyes stung. “Rozalind, I should have listened to you—”

“Don’t you dare apologize.” Rozalind tightened her fingers around Akeylah’s. Tugged her forward, until Akeylah slid off her chair and onto the bed instead. Rozalind lifted their clasped hands. Kissed Akeylah’s fingertips, one by one. “I would have suspected me, too, in your shoes. After all, I tried to make you lock up your own sisters.”

“You were trying to protect me. I realize that now.” I protect you, first and foremost. Rozalind was trying to keep that promise.

“I knew someone was threatening you. Your sisters seemed the most likely culprits. They were both in line for the throne, same as you. But I should have trusted them. Should have trusted you, when it came to your own family.”

Yes, well. The heir was her family, too. “Being family doesn’t make people trustworthy,” Akeylah replied. “It’s the choices they make. The promises they keep or break.” She traced her thumb across the back of Rozalind’s hand. “You kept your promise to me. I’m the one who broke it. I let the blackmailer make me think…” Her voice cracked.