The Talons half dragged, half shoved her into the corridor. She stumbled, caught herself.

She used to hate the king for raising a son like Nicolen. For allowing his Talons to run roughshod over the Reaches, abusing their power. She still disagreed with many of his decrees. Yet, in the last few weeks, she’d seen another side to him. The father who wanted to teach his daughters. A king who listened to the suggestions she made.

She still didn’t regret ridding the world of a violent man like Prince Nicolen. But thinking about the pain it caused Andros opened a strange new crack in her rib cage.

So this is what guilt feels like, she thought as the captain shoved her down the dungeon steps. And another thought, hard on its heels. One that let her stand straight again, even after they slammed the cell door shut.

The heir did this. One way or another, I’ll make them pay.

4

Florencia

You look almost as bad as I feel,” Ren told Audrina with a grin, which quickly devolved into a grimace as she readjusted against her pillows.

Akeylah had stopped by last night to help her perform the shield tithe Zofi discovered. It worked but left Ren more drained than ever. The moment Akeylah departed her chambers, she’d fallen straight to sleep, only roused this morning by Audrina’s knocking.

On the far side of the bed, Aud’s face was drawn with concern. “Very funny. How are you feeling, honestly?”

“Lucky.” Ren’s smile clouded. “Thank the Sun for you and Akeylah. Otherwise…” She shuddered. She couldn’t stop thinking about the water filling her lungs, drowning out the world.

“Don’t thank the Sun. It’s the moons who favor girls like us.” Audrina winked.

It was a saying she and Ren had invented when they were young and less than faithful to Madam Oruna’s rules. According to Kolonyan lore, Syx, Nox, and Essex were the lights of lovers, spies, and thieves, respectively. The moons had a reputation for disobedience, much like Ren and Aud when they’d sneak out at night to gallivant around the Keep, nicking strongwine from the cellars or midnight snacks from the kitchens.

Ren tried for a smile at their old joke, but failed.

Audrina sighed. “Besides, if you thank anybody, it should be Sarella, believe it or not.”

“I should write to her. Express my gratitude.” Strange as it felt to thank Sarella for anything, Ren did owe the woman her life.

“I wouldn’t bother.” Audrina rolled her eyes. “I tried already. Her response was, and I quote, ‘I’m not some kind of monster. Just because Florencia’s horrible doesn’t mean she should die.’ Then she stormed off.”

Ren’s lips twitched with amusement. “That does sound more like her.”

“Speaking of unpleasant people…” Audrina hesitated. Looked away before she spoke. “Danton’s been asking after you.”