“We captured Dineas last night,” he says. “He set fire to a building full of valuable chariots and supply wagons. It’s likely he would have done even more, had we not stopped him.”

My bones go soft. It is just as I feared.

The general continues. “When he awoke, he claimed not to remember any of what transpired,” he says.

My heart clenches at the thought of Dineas waking up blank in the dungeons, not knowing how he got there.

And now Arxa’s eyes lock on me. “The last thing he remembers is visiting you and drinking one of your potions. He claims to have no memory of what happened after that, even though it’s been days.”

My mind races for a response, but there’s nothing I can say. Nothing he would believe.

Arxa doesn’t seem surprised at my silence. “I’ve heard rumors that your type can manipulate the mind. It seemed far-fetched to me, but you’ve certainly accomplished your share of miracles in our hospital. I can’t decide, though, whether you simply manipulated Dineas with your potions, or if he’s been with you from the beginning. He did arrive soon after you.”

Goddess help me. “Dineas is innocent. I gave him a potion to render him suggestible, and I told him to sabotage the effort. I couldn’t stand by and watch while my people bore the burden of another prolonged battle campaign.”

Arxa’s lips curl in something that isn’t quite amusement. “The first confession is never true, not when it comes so quickly. He’s been your ally from the beginning, then.” Once again he shakes his head. “I’ve misjudged you, Zivah. Gravely. To think I brought you so close to the emperor, and that you would have let my daughter take the fall for his death.”

Behind me, Mehtap draws a sharp breath. I could deny Arxa’s accusation, but what would be the point? He wouldn’t believe me, and it wouldn’t change my fate.

Arxa pushes away from the bars. “I’ve failed badly, though I will remedy my errors. The campaign will continue as before, but we will not be nearly as kind to Dara now. If they’ve thrown their lot in with the Shidadi, then they will die with them.”

A guard comes in and opens the door to our cell. I shrink to the back, but Arxa simply takes Mehtap’s hand. “Come,” he says to her. “You are no longer under suspicion.”

He lays one hand protectively on his daughter’s arm, and once again looks at me. “I’ll return to deal with you.”

Mehtap doesn’t look me in the eye as they leave.