“The maids have to keep weekly logs of their chores.” Ren ran a hand through her hair. “There would be samples there. But I still don’t see what you’re getting at, Zofi.”

“Well.” Zofi’s fingertips danced to the hilt of her knife. “The entire court just watched us confront a secret sister nobody knew we had, who tried to curse us in front of everyone. She’s covered in Vulgar Arts scars. And you can prove she forged your correspondence with the rebellion.”

Ren’s forehead creased. “You want us to blame everything on her? Even my crimes, or yours?”

“Why not?” Zofi spread her hands. “She’s guilty of most of it, anyway.”

“It gives us a simple explanation.” Akeylah began to nod. “One that will play well with the councils.”

The thought didn’t sit right with Ren. “Audrina did terrible things, but so did I. So did all of us, in one way or another.”

“Speak for yourself,” Zofi muttered. “I’d choose Elex over Nicolen any day.”

“Still.” Ren glanced toward the doorway. On the far side of the stonewood, she heard a murmur swell, from the crowd still gathered out there. Likely watching the servers clean the dais, wondering if there would be any more action to this show. “I don’t like pinning it all on her.”

“What would you rather do, confess?” Akeylah asked. “The court would demand your head, Ren.” Her sister shuffled closer, until her skirts brushed Ren’s arm. Akeylah knelt so their gazes were level. “There are better ways to do penance than offering yourself up as a sacrifice. You can’t make up for what you did if you’re dead. Alive, you may not be able to undo your mistake, but you can help put things right.”

Ren blinked, taken aback. When she glanced to Zofi, she found her smiling, too.

“Listen to our smartest sister, Ren.” Zofi nudged Akeylah’s shoulder. “That’s the future queen of the Reaches, after all.”

Akeylah’s face flushed, and she rose to her feet once more. “We haven’t discussed anything of the sort.”

“You’re already doing the job,” Ren pointed out.

“Only out of necessity. You were both gone, so—”

“So you held the entire kingdom together. Not everyone could’ve done that.” Ren stood, too. “All while managing a blackmailer and curing our father’s curse.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” Akeylah protested. “This whole time, I’ve been faking it. Just trying to get through one day at a time.”

“Sounds like leadership to me.” Zofi grinned. “Besides, Ren and I already took a vote, down in the dungeons. You missed it while you were up here preparing a party for our nemesis, but we decided you’re the best choice.”