Across the broad mattress, Ren stood stock-still, like a person frozen in time. She gazed at their father, face full of pain and regret.

Akeylah knew exactly how she felt.

“I thought we’d have more time,” Ren whispered. “Now it’s a week or two, and none of it with him able to offer guidance, to tell us who he wants to succeed him, or anything.…”

“Who knows about this?” Akeylah glanced over her shoulder at the door, thinking about the Talons on the other side.

“So far?” Rozalind cleared her throat. “The mender. You two. That’s all.”

“You haven’t told the regional council or any of the nobles yet?” Ren spoke up.

Rozalind bowed her head. “I thought it prudent to keep this quiet for now. If you think it best to reveal the extent of his illness to court, that is your prerogative. You two are his heirs.”

“You’re his wife,” Akeylah reminded her, though the words sounded hollow with their fingers entwined. “Maybe we can keep it quiet for now. Just until we’re certain of his fate.”

“I just wish he’d left some sign.” Ren grimaced. “Some indication of what he wants us to do. There are no Kolonyan legal provisions for a situation like this, with multiple potential heirs. If he passes now… it’ll be chaos.”

“Then we must pray the mender finds some cure, by Father Sun’s will,” Rozalind whispered.

But the mender did not know what Akeylah did. The true cause of this illness. The curse Akeylah had planted in his veins. If she could find a counter to it, cure him within the next week… Perhaps he still stands a chance.

A fortnight at most, the mender said. It sounded so short, and yet, she’d only been in the Keep a little longer than that. Three weeks now, or was it four? How much had changed in her life, in that short span?

How much could she change things again?

“The menders say we have two weeks. That’s two weeks left to fix this.” Akeylah flashed her sister a look. “You’re right. The succession isn’t clear. And given present circumstances…” Given the true heir haunting them. “It will cause chaos once the court learns how bad he is. If we keep the extent of his illness quiet for now, it buys us time to prepare.” And time to find the heir, to stop them before they steal the crown.

“Not a bad idea,” Ren said.

“It gives us time to secure Zofi’s release, as well. A dream told Father she was guilty?” Akeylah raised her eyebrows. “That’s not enough proof to justify holding her.”

Rozalind tensed, though when she spoke, her tone was gentle. “I know you care for your sister. But have you considered the possibility your father is right? Arresting her was his final wish. Do you want to undo it so casually?”