Before she could ask, Ambrosine continued, “But that is neither here nor there. We both know the sort of petty, conniving man your father is—I should not have entered into any agreement with him in the first place. And besides, there are more important matters to discuss.”

Agnes’s head was spinning and the best she could muster was a confused, “Huh?”

“The past can wait. It is the future that concerns us now.”

Agnes blinked. “The future?”

Ambrosine rubbed her hands together. “Yes, my dear. The heir to Culinnon has come home at last. There is much you need to learn about this country, this island, our family’s history, but there will be plenty of time for that. For many years now, the Byrnes have been subjected to the most brutal character attacks from the Triumvirate. They are jealous of our power, of the wealth of Culinnon and the mystery it is shrouded in. Many Byrne matriarchs have thought to separate themselves from Ithilia’s control, but none have had the courage or the force of will to actually do something about it.”

Agnes felt a sudden squirming of nerves in the pit of her stomach.

“The northern islands are loyal to us, loyal to Culinnon,” Ambrosine continued. “Why should we submit to western rule? It would be far better to rule ourselves. I have spoken to the head families on all the major islands. They are with me, at last. The Malleys took some convincing—Ragna can be such a stubborn old witch—but everyone has agreed. Their ships are mine, their people mine, their loyalty mine. And now with Braxos in our sights and Kaolin ships attacking Ithilia, it is the perfect time to declare.”

Agnes’s palms went clammy. “Declare what?”

Ambrosine straightened her shoulders. “Why, declare our independence, my darling girl. To form our own state, with our own queen. And just one, not three who fight and bicker and scheme against each other and play favorites with the upper-class families. One queen to bring everyone together.”

“Can you do that?” Agnes asked. “Just . . . break away from Pelago and form your own nation?”

“Why not?” her grandmother said. “Just because something has not been done before does not mean it shouldn’t be done. Braxos has power, Agnes, and not just this tether that Sera is seeking to find.”

“I know,” Agnes said. “I read the scrolls. Or what was left of them.”

One side of Ambrosine’s mouth curved upward like a scythe. “Of course. I heard you met Matthias. What did you think of your uncle?”

“He was very kind,” Agnes said.

The scythe twisted. “I suppose that is one way to describe him.” Ambrosine roused herself. “So you know about Braxos and the power that rests there, greater than anything, a power tied to Culinnon . . . it belongs to our family. And together, you and I will create a new dynasty in a new country, all our own.”

“A what?”