But his people loved him. And he’d done great things, too, in between those mistakes. So, conflicted as Ren felt now that she knew about Audrina’s past, they’d planned him a send-off fit for a beloved ruler.

“He looks so… calm,” Zofi ventured. “So at home.”

So do you, Ren thought. Then again, they were in the stables, Zofi’s home away from home. They stood in the back of a wagon the stablehands had outfitted to bear them and the coffin. Enormous warhorses flanked them, four yoked to their carriage and dozens of others lined up behind, each with a Talon on its back. Somewhere in this procession rode one Talon in particular who Ren guessed would be glad to see Zofi once all this had ended.

“I hope he’s in a better place.” Ren studied the faint smile on Father’s lips.

“I wish I felt that calm.” Akeylah wrung her hands together. “Ren, Zofi, are you both certain you don’t want to ride in the covered carriage with Rozalind?”

The enclosed carriage stood a few paces ahead. Rozalind, still too weak to stand for very long, rode in that, where she’d be sheltered from the crowds they were about to ride into.

“People are going to have to see Zofi and me eventually,” Ren said. “You’ve announced the lifting of our sentences. Rumors are already spreading about what you told the councils with regard to Audrina. People know we didn’t do what they thought.” Her voice sounded far more confident than she actually felt.

Deep down, she was terrified. Some Kolonyans might not believe the stories. They might still blame Ren for Burnt Bay, for their families’ deaths.

They wouldn’t be wrong.

Akeylah’s mouth twisted into a wry expression. “Sometimes I wonder if you’re a glutton for punishment. Do you want people to throw rotten food at you?”

Zofi’s hand drifted to her longknife. “I’d like to see them try.”

Sometimes Ren wondered, too. But still. She squared her shoulders. “Like I said, we’ll have to go out in public eventually. May as well get it over with now. Besides, I want to say goodbye properly.” She rested her hand atop Father’s transparent casket, one they’d had specially crafted in the last week.

Akeylah placed her hand over Ren’s. After a pause, Zofi added hers, too.

“I’m going to miss you both,” Akeylah said.

“I’ll be back before you even realize I’m gone.” Zofi flashed a smile. “And Ren isn’t leaving right away, is she?”

Ren hesitated. Her gaze drifted to the stable doors. Somewhere outside was a certain ambassador she needed to talk to. Because she had an idea. A way to, like Akeylah had suggested, begin to atone for what she’d done.

“Next week, if I can,” Ren replied.

Akeylah spun toward her, startled. “So soon?”