“To someone in this Keep, they are. I’ve been here for a year and a half, Akeylah. You think the past, what, month since you arrived has been difficult? This court changes you in ways you haven’t even begun to comprehend. You learn how to hit first in order to survive. You can’t…” She pressed a hand to her stomach. Shut her eyes, as though in pain.

Akeylah started toward her, but Rozalind flinched away. “Roz…”

“Don’t. I’m trying to keep my promise to you, Akeylah.” When Rozalind met her gaze once more, she looked hard. Furious. “I’m trying to protect you. But I can’t save you from yourself.” With that, Rozalind swept out of the room.

Akeylah stared, long after the door slammed. She should go after her. Chase her down, make her talk.

Instead, all she could think about was the first argument she’d had with Rozalind. Back when Zofi had been accused, and Rozalind encouraged Akeylah not to release or pardon her. Now she was doing the same to Ren, and talking as though Akeylah were already queen.

Akeylah didn’t want this. She didn’t want a throne, a crown. She just wanted the people she loved safe, once and for all.

The doorknob to the solarium turned. The gems set in the knob reflected the sunlight overhead, sent a flurry of bright snowflakes dancing across the map of the Reaches on the central table.

Akeylah stared at those white sunspots and willed this meeting to go quickly.

“My lady.” Ambassador Perry of the Southern Reach greeted her.

“Ambassador Perry.” She smiled in welcome.

Ambassadors Ghoush, Danton, and Kiril filed in behind him. “Is His Majesty still indisposed?” asked Ambassador Ghoush, the pucker-mouthed woman who represented the Northern Reach, the moment she entered.

“I’m afraid he is not yet feeling well enough to leave his chambers. But he sent me in his stead.” She gestured to a scribe in the corner, furiously copying notes. “I will bring him a transcript of everything we discuss, along with any urgent queries that need to be resolved.”

She only hoped she wouldn’t need to impersonate him again anytime soon.

“For a week now, we’ve been hearing these excuses.” Ambassador Kiril of the Western Reach scowled. “I have never known Andros to suffer this much from a mere cold or flu.”

“We have our best mender attending him, Ambassador,” Akeylah replied.

“Not that we don’t appreciate your being here, Lady Akeylah.” Lord Perry inclined his head in her direction. “But we hope your father recovers soon. We need him more than ever.”

Akeylah folded her hands on the table. “We had best get started, then. The first item on the agenda is the crop shortage—”

“If you’ll forgive my impertinence, Lady Akeylah,” Kiril butted in. “Before we move on to the set agenda, I had hoped to discuss the matter of your sister Lady Florencia.”