If only there was no one else here – I could reach inside him, modify his commands until he spoke the truth to me. If I could get him onto my ship, get him alone, I might still have a chance.

He laughed as if he knew what I was thinking. Before I could ask another question, he cracked his skull against mine. The world tilted around me. Vaguely, I was aware he’d gotten to his feet, and somewhere in the distance Thrana growled.

And then something warm spurted over me. Blood.

For the barest moment, I thought it was my blood. So this was how I ended. Not by my father’s hand, but by the hand of one of his wayward constructs. The room started to settle. Jovis stood over me, his dagger buried in the man’s chest.

Not my blood. His.

I reached out, trying to steady myself, and found Thrana’s fur beneath my fingers. She bolstered me as I stood. “You didn’t have to kill him,” I hissed at Jovis. “I never ordered that.” My head was beginning to ache. I looked down to find blood staining Iloh’s jacket.

“Your jacket.” I turned to Iloh. “I’m sorry.” I wasn’t sure what I was saying. As soon as I’d stood, the room had started to spin again.

I tried to focus on Iloh’s face and only got a glimpse of his baffled expression before Jovis’s face swam in front of mine. His brows were drawn together in a dark line. “What was I supposed to do? Let him kill you? I don’t think that would have worked out well for either of us.”

“I am the Emperor,” I snapped back, indignant. I buried my fingers in Thrana’s fur, trying to make the room stay still. Pain drained away my flash of anger. There were too many people. “And… and I could use a bath. Please.”

Everything moved quickly after that. Jovis stalked out, taking his place by my door. Servants swarmed in and out, cleaning up the water and blood. One led me to the baths, Jovis trailing behind. He waited outside the door.

The bath steadied me. And then all I wanted was sleep.

I crept back to my room like a scolded dog. I’d failed. I needed those four islands to support me. And Iloh hated me. The people hated me. I curled into the guest bed, Thrana next to me. I buried my face in her shoulder, taking in her scent – like woodsmoke and damp earth. “I don’t know what to do. They don’t want me as Emperor. How do I keep fighting for that if I’m the only one doing it?”

Thrana’s cold nose found my ear. “I’m here. Ikanuy is helping. Jovis and Mephi are helping.”

Jovis. Was he really helping me? I couldn’t be sure. “Thank you,” I whispered into her fur.