“I’ve been ready for this my entire life.” Audrina stepped aside so Akeylah could enter first. “See you on the other side, puppet.” Audrina flashed one last wink. “And don’t forget that ambassadorship waiting for you.” Her expression sobered. “Or the reunion with our dear father if you screw this up.”

Akeylah suppressed a shudder. But, “I look forward to putting this unpleasantness behind us, Your Highness,” was all she said, voice smooth as silk. Dimly, Akeylah wondered when she’d gotten so adept at lying.

Rozalind was right. Time in this Keep changed a person.

Then she swept up the Great Hall toward the dais.

Heads turned. Every noble in the room looked her direction. Even Rozalind, who Audrina had insisted on moving up from the nursing wing, was in attendance. She sat in a wheeled chair, similar to the one Akeylah’s father had used toward the end, but she looked healthy enough otherwise, her skin returning to its usual dark, Sun-blessed glow.

Her eyes tracked Akeylah all the way up to the dais, bright with concern. Akeylah flashed her the tiniest, quickest smile she dared.

For the occasion, Akeylah wore dark green, accented with emerald. The color of mourning, ostensibly because of her father’s recent death. In Akeylah’s heart, however, she wore this color for a myriad of reasons. To mourn her sisters’ lost reputations. Her own ruined innocence, as she collaborated with this megalomaniac.

She wore it as a cry for all of Kolonya if they failed today. If Audrina won.

When she reached the dais and climbed the steps to stand beside the acolytes, a hush fell. Akeylah surveyed the courtiers with a pang deep in her heart. She counted more than a few whose lives Audrina already planned to make a living nightmare. Who could say how many more the girl would take a disliking to, or how cruel her punishments might become?

Akeylah wet her parched lips. Mother Ocean, guide our path today. Then she spread her arms wide in greeting.

“Nobles, lords, and ladies, I thank you all for gathering here today.” She forced a smile. “I am sure you all have questions.” A nervous chuckle passed through the crowd. “I can only imagine your confusion when you received your invitations to this event. After all, my father, Sun guide his soul, only just held a Blood Ceremony, to recognize my sisters and me.”

She cleared her throat. “But my father neglected to invite one person to the last ceremony. A person who rightfully should have been included. My lost sister, now found and ready to be recognized at last.”

Murmurs started up. Heads turned as nobles asked one another if they had any idea who she meant.