Akeylah dragged the blade across her skin. The tithe swept over her. The Arts sang in her veins, neon-bright with promise. They felt stronger after several days of shielding, almost overwhelming. She harnessed all the potential and channeled it into a mental image of Father.

Father, lying in this very bed. Father, breathing weak and labored, skin wrinkled with age. The same man she’d spent the morning gazing at, willing back to some semblance of life.

In the end, the tithe was easier than she’d anticipated. Father already occupied so much of her imagination, it took little effort to shape her facial features into his.

When she opened her eyes, Rueno and the Talon captain regarded her seriously. Behind them, luckily out of their line of sight, Rozalind had frozen in shock. Akeylah hoped that was because she’d done too good a job with this camouflage and not the other way around.

She began to cough, hard. With one hand, she reached limply for Rozalind, who recalled herself and darted across the chamber to catch it.

“Yes, my love, I’m here.” Rozalind bent close enough for Akeylah’s—or, rather, the king’s—lips to graze her ear.

Akeylah kept her voice low, half-growl, half-whisper. “Tell them… I have decided what to do about Florencia.”

Rozalind relayed her words, then turned back to Akeylah.

“Your Majesty, we are deeply sorry for all your woes of late.” Lord Rueno bowed. “I’m grateful you take this matter as seriously as we do. The court is anxious to see justice served.”

“As am I,” said Akeylah-via-Rozalind. “But exactly that. Justice.” She laid on that word hard enough to justify another series of coughs. “Not the judgment of an angry mob.”

Lord Rueno and the captain exchanged glances when Rozalind repeated those words.

“Captain, you are to confine Lady Florencia to her chambers. Post double guards on every entrance, the servants’ passages included.” Akeylah knew they had to at least make it look like they were trying. “As for the evidence against her, Lord Rueno, you will give me these letters and any other evidence you have collected.”

“Of course.” Rueno bowed. “But, Your Majesty, the serving boy—”

“Once I have familiarized myself with the letters and their contents, I will hear Josen’s testimony,” Akeylah continued. Then, on an impulse, she bluffed, “I will also hear from other witnesses who may wish to speak to me in private.” That should buy them a little more time. “Only once I have heard from every voice in this case will I pass my judgment.”

“Your Majesty, if I may…” Rueno stepped forward. “I understand your desire to hear all the facts. But this was a very serious breach, if the allegations prove true. Do you think confinement to her chambers will really be sufficient to secure such a traitor?”