She nodded, knowing it was true, but also knowing that she’d regretted leaving him behind since the moment it happened. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

“Nia,” Donnally said with a sigh. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Apologize.” He ducked his head to look straight into her eyes. His own were rimmed in red. “I guarantee I have more to apologize for than you. You are the only reason we get to have this conversation at all. You.”

Her stomach clenched at the thought of all the things Donnally might have to apologize for. “You can tell me anything,” she said, giving him a steely look.

A rueful smile bent his lips. “Maybe.”

Her hand warmed around the blossom, and she was glad to have something to hold onto as she considered the one question she truly wanted the answer to. “What made you choose me?”

In the silence that followed, the sounds of the celebration swelled between them. The moon above was full and blue light ringed the barges like pools of starlight. All around, the ocean was covered in orange petals. Every last one had been plucked and delivered to the sea. Except the one Caledonia held as she waited for her brother’s answer.

Donnally raised his eyes to the stars, then slowly brought them back to Caledonia. When he spoke, the words were careful, measured, as if each one had been weighed out precisely. “I think it’s more accurate to say I’m still working on it. But I’d never been given a choice before. Not like that. Lir saved my life, and I guess I wanted a chance to do the same for him. Save his life.”

The idea that Lir had ever done anything to save her brother’s life was infuriating. It was all Caledonia could do to concentrate on not crushing the blossom in her hand. If she could keep from doing that, she could keep from lashing out.

“He’s . . . he’s my brother.” Donnally said it as kindly as he could, but without apology. Whatever had happened in his life, he’d ended up with the person she despised most in the world and they’d become family.

Caledonia caught herself midway through a snarl. Fury burned in her cheeks and she tossed the blossom into the water. “You still think that? Even after standing against him? He took everything from you.”

“I do,” Donnally answered quickly, then paused, licking his lips before saying anything more. “Do you— Are you going to execute him?”

The question surprised her. But not nearly so much as the realization that it mattered to Donnally if Lir lived or died.

“I—we haven’t decided.” She gave the most honest answer she could.