Sera quickly hid beneath the strands of beads, her fingers digging into his arm as they walked down the hill back toward the market of Arbaz. He wished he’d just agreed to go with them right away—maybe they wouldn’t have taken Sera. He was certain that Rowen would hand him over to the Triumvirate the moment they landed in Ithilia. At least they hadn’t taken Agnes too. He wondered if he would be as valuable as a hostage, not being the heir to anything.

The main boulevard was bathed in the warm glow of gas lamps; carriages and people alike stopped short to let the Misarros cross. Leo heard small gasps turn to excited mutterings.

“Is that a Byrne?”

“A Byrne in the custody of the Triumvirate!”

“Ambrosine won’t take this lying down.”

The voices seemed to follow them as they entered the portico. Leo’s jaw was clenched so tight he thought his teeth might crack. He’d imagined his face would be a positive attribute once they arrived in Pelago, but it was bringing nothing but trouble.

They arrived at the docks and Eireen led them to a ship that Leo knew at once was the Gilded Lily. Made of smooth white wood, its every detail seemed to have been dipped in gold, right down to the glittering figurehead. A row of Renalt Misarros stood waiting by the gangplank, a line of golden suns. Eireen led them onto the ship, where tiny white lights had been strung over the deck. There was a table set for two with white linen and a candle flickering in the wind. Rahel was seated at it, fixing her hair, but she jumped up at the sight of Leo, then frowned when she noticed Sera.

“My lady, I have brought you—”

“Leo,” he said, interrupting Eireen.

Rahel seemed enchanted. “Leo,” she breathed, her doe-brown eyes growing even wider. Sera gripped his arm tighter.

“We must leave now,” Rowen was growling. “The Aerin will not want to be kept waiting.”

“You are on a Renalt ship, Rowen. You do not give orders here,” Eireen said tartly, but turned away from her and shouted, “We sail at once!”

There was a flurry of activity as the Misarros readied the ship. Rahel looked around, confused. “But I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow.”

“Alas, my princess, things have changed. Your new friends are coming with us to Banrissa, isn’t that exciting?” Eireen said.

Rahel’s face lit up with delight. “I get to keep him?”

“Keep him?” Sera said, disgusted.

Rahel gasped. “What was that?” she asked, trying to peer through the beads covering Sera’s face.

“Why don’t you show your guests belowdecks,” Eireen suggested. “I’m sure they would love to see all of your beautiful rooms. And they are most interested to try dessert.”