“Notify me the moment they wake.” Akeylah held Audrina’s eye. “In the meantime, I’d like a moment with this girl. Alone.”

The Talons exchanged glances. But when Akeylah strode forward, into the maids’ chambers, they filed out obediently. The instant the doors shut, Audrina broke into a wide smile. “Wise decision, puppet. I would’ve hated to jail you, too.”

Akeylah balled her fists. “If you think I’m still dancing on your strings—”

“You’d be wise to,” Audrina interrupted.

“Rozalind lost the baby. You can’t curse her anymore.” Akeylah glared at the girl.

“Perhaps. But I’ve got two new sisters to experiment on now. Did you know that I’ve grown strong enough to eke my way through your little shield tithes?” Audrina raised a hand and wiggled her fingers in Akeylah’s face.

“I don’t believe you,” Akeylah snapped.

She shrugged, utterly unconcerned. “Then test me, and we’ll see which one dies first. Ren or Zofi, hmm. I despise Ren, but Zofi’s the more dangerous of the pair.…”

“What do you expect me to do, just hand you the throne? Offer up all of the Reaches as collateral?”

“That’s exactly what I expect, puppet. The throne is mine, and I’ll take it one way or another. If I have to perform the Blood Ceremony with you in chains, I will. And my first act as queen will be to execute you for cursing our father.” She tapped her chin. “On the other hand, you could be smart. Pass the mantle peacefully, and I’ll let you live. You could even remain at court. We’ll need a new Eastern ambassador, since our current one is a traitor.”

Akeylah swallowed hard. Her mind raced. Play this right. “My sisters live, too,” she finally said in a low voice. “If I do this for you.”

“I knew you were the smart one.” Audrina’s grin widened. “Your sisters can’t stay in Kolonya, but Zofi can return to her people—provided she stays there this time. And Ren can head east. We’ll blame her treason on Danton, since it was his fault to begin with, really. As long as she stays somewhere I never have to lay eyes on her again, I can be reasonable.”

“How do I know you’ll keep your word?” Akeylah crossed her arms. “What’s to stop you from cursing all of us the second you have the throne?”

“Nothing.” Audrina spread her hands, palms up in a gesture of peace. “But then again, there’s nothing to stop you from cursing me either. Mutually assured destruction is the only insurance I can offer you.” She shrugged, still smiling. “It’s the way of the Reaches, isn’t it? The irony of the gods’ gift. The Arts made bloodlines both our greatest strength and deepest weakness.”