Meanwhile, Zofi’s mind raced. She remembered the hallucination the blackmailer sent her. A vision of Nicolen back from the dead, taunting her. Just like Akeylah’s stepfather appeared to her. The blackmailer told Zofi if she didn’t leave Kolonya City, they’d reveal her secrets. Clearly this was how they’d chosen to do it—by using Yasmin’s ghost as a weapon.

But Andros didn’t know about the blackmail. He had no idea if his vision was real, or what caused it. “You’re sick, Father. You’re imagining things. Let me send for the menders.”

“I am sick! Poisoned by the gods for filling this world with murderers.”

“Father, please listen, you’ve got this all wrong—”

“Captain!” he shouted. The doors swung inward, nearly bowling Vidal over. Her gaze darted from the king to his balcony window. If she ran, would she make it?

Then what? Scale down the Keep before a Talon could fire a phantasm dart into her neck? She’d never make it down the tower, let alone through the entire city. Last time, even with Elex at her side, she’d needed Vidal’s help. And she couldn’t even tithe, because she’d shielded herself for the day.

Running suggests guilt. Vidal had told her that once. Back when she’d only just arrived in Kolonya. Back when running would have been so much simpler. When she thought the only thing she had to fear were secrets.

She looked away from the window. She wouldn’t run. It was her word against a ghost’s.

“Take Lady Zofi to the dungeons,” Andros ordered. If this surprised the captain, he didn’t let it show. A few Talons even smirked when he clamped irons on her wrists.

Zofi could guess what they were thinking. Finally, we can get rid of this drifter once and for all. Only Vidal looked sick with worry.

“Send for the menders,” Zofi begged the captain. “My father needs treatment.”

“If I’m ill, it’s only at the sight of you, daughter.” But Andros said this without venom. “How could you have betrayed me like this?” His voice broke.

“You’re making a mistake, Father.” Zofi started toward him. “There’s more at work here than you know; enemies who want to tear our family apart—”

“I’ll hear no more excuses. Lock her in the dungeons until I decide what to do with her.” Only Zofi seemed to notice the quiver in the king’s voice. He lowered his gaze, as though he couldn’t bear to watch the Talons march her from the room.

Father’s torn expression stuck with her as the captain hauled her away.

Zofi had done a lot of things others might consider unsavory. Breaking a wanted criminal from the dungeons. Killing a prince who threatened her friend. But she’d never regretted it. She did what she needed to protect her people. Now…