Ren rose from the desk, crossed to sit beside Akeylah on the bed. “Akeylah, think about it. You hardly know her. I warned you about getting too close.…”

Akeylah turned her face away. Swiped angrily at her eyes with the back of her hand. “Even if she is…” Akeylah couldn’t say the word. “Even if she’s in that condition. It still doesn’t mean she’s capable of all this.”

“Pregnant mothers can tithe or curse with their child’s blood. I don’t know what happens if the mother is Genalese, but since her child is half-Kolonyan…” Ren stopped speaking when Akeylah’s mouth went slack. “What is it?”

“The tithing…” Akeylah whispered. She swallowed hard. Spoke again with her eyes shut tight. “I didn’t understand it. Neither did Rozalind—she told me the ability came on her suddenly, and she couldn’t figure out why.”

Ren swore. “You knew she could tithe? Why didn’t you tell us?”

Akeylah tugged at one sleeve. Wound her fingers through the fabric. “I didn’t think it relevant. She’s not related to us. What did it matter?”

Ren grimaced. Stared down at her lap.

“Even Rozalind didn’t know why she could suddenly tithe.”

“She wouldn’t,” Ren said. “She wasn’t raised here; she doesn’t understand how the Arts work.”

Her sister drew a shaky breath. “Look, even if she’s pregnant.” This time, her voice barely shook. “We can’t be sure she’s the heir.”

“You’re right. We need proof.”

“How?” Akeylah met Ren’s gaze.

“You’re closer to her than anyone. And from the sound of it, you’ve ignored the heir’s demand, so they’ll be gearing up to punish you somehow, soon. If you stick to Rozalind’s side, never let her out of your sight—”

“I have duties to attend to,” Akeylah protested. “And I’ve needed Rozalind to stay and look after Father while I do.”

“How long has it been, a week already?” Ren looked up, out the window. “Either Zofi will be sending the cure in the next couple of days, or…” Or Father will be dead soon, anyway. “Do you think you can delay your other duties that long, at least? Push back any nonvital meetings and stay with Father and Rozalind for now?”

Her sister nodded, though her mind looked far away.

Ren reached out, touched Akeylah’s shoulder. “I apologize for accusing you earlier. When I suggested you were working with her. I just… I had to be sure.”

“It’s all right.” Akeylah managed a weak smile. “I’d have done the same.”

Ren didn’t believe that. Akeylah was always the kind one, the softest sister. But she appreciated the lie. It made Ren feel a little less bad for distrusting one of the few allies she had left.