“For now? Avoid taking solo baths,” she joked weakly. “Beyond that, I don’t know. Keep looking for the heir. Track suspects.”

“You suspected Lexana,” Audrina supplied, catching on. “She’s related to you?”

Ren bobbed her head. “A cousin, on my father’s side. But if she was with a lover all night, two days ago, then it can’t be her.”

“They’ve threatened you again? Since the baths?” Audrina leaned forward. “Ren, who else knows about this? Your father, or someone who might be able to help you?”

She shook her head. “I can’t tell anyone, Aud.”

“Why?”

“Because.” The truth itched to spill out. But she drew the line at admitting how terrible a person she was to the only friend she had left. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you any more.”

After a moment, Audrina nodded. “Okay. I understand.” Her friend gripped her fingers so hard they ached. “But if things get any worse, Ren, I hope you remember who you can trust.”

Ren entered the Great Hall for dinner at Akeylah’s side. At the head of the room, the king’s and queen’s seats stood empty. As they’d agreed after much debate, Akeylah and Ren ascended the dais to sit side by side in those chairs. Two sisters in place of a king.

Just this simple gesture caused murmurs to spread through the hall.

Ren didn’t like to dwell on the chaos that would erupt if Andros died without an officially sanctioned heir. She didn’t know what would happen, whether the regional council or the council of lords would force a tribunal. And what would the heir do if they saw the throne wide open for the taking?

“How did your afternoon appointments go?” Ren asked Akeylah to distract herself.

“Lord D’Quinn Cass wants the newest ship in our fleet named after him.” Akeylah rolled her eyes ever so slightly.

Ren stifled a laugh. “What ego.” But she faltered when she spotted a familiar face across the Great Hall. Sarella. Walking straight toward the dais, her gaze fixed on Ren’s.

Next to her, Akeylah spoke on. “It’s strange, isn’t it, how easily these day-to-day queries can distract you. When I first came to the Keep, I judged the nobles for focusing only on their petty complaints. But now that I’m listening to them, it’s just as hard for me to remember what’s important. How do we keep our heads above water when everyone’s desperate to drag us into the muck?”

“Like this, I suppose.” Ren watched Sarella approach. “We keep each other in check. Every day, we remind each other what matters.” She straightened as Sarella reached them.

“My lady?” Sarella sank into a curtsy. “I wonder if I might have a word.”