Jayden opened his mouth and closed it several times. “Wait. Did you say me?”

“Yes.”

Stunned silence. “Are you insane?”

She huffed. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”

“Because you tend to do things that are not—”

“Careful,” she warned.

“Conventional. And I’m…”

“You’re?”

“Damaged, broken, untrustworthy. I betrayed you to the priestess, even knowing that she would kill you. How can you ever forgive me?”

“Do you want forgiveness?”

He paused as he did some soul searching. She waited.

“Yes,” he said. It was the truth. “I do. But it’s too much to ask of you. Of anyone.” His thoughts turned to Mojag.

“As for me, Hanif reminded me that people are capable of changing should they choose to make the effort. And I’d be a hypocrite if I could forgive Rendor’s past and not yours. He does have the genuine desire to make amends, and I’ve been reading your soul this entire time so—”

“You have? I didn’t feel it.”

“My skills have improved. Desperation is a great teacher, although I wouldn’t recommend it.” She shuddered at her two close calls. “Regardless, do you wish to make amends?”

“Of course I do.” He was surprised by his own vehemence.

“Before we offer you the job, you have to agree to some conditions.”

“What are they?”

“First, no more black cells. We’re going to rebuild the prison, but it’ll have light, and collection stations, and the inmates will help with the city’s maintenance unless the prisoner is really dangerous.”

“That’s a good idea. I agree.”

“Second, no more vagrants. They will become a legitimate part of the city. For those who can’t afford the taxes or tithes, there will be a system in place to help them find a better job. And children under two circuits old will be exempt from both.” They’d finally located the mother of the baby the Arch Deacons had used as bait. As Orla had predicted, the woman couldn’t afford to raise a child, but she’d believed the baby was going to be raised in one of the chapels.

“I’m all for that.”

No surprise—he was the Vagrant Prince after all. And a part of the bargain he’d made with the priestess included helping them.

“Third, the guards are there to protect the people, not police them. They’re to be called protectors.”

“All right.”

“Fourth, all the artifacts and treasures that the Water Prince collected are to be put on public display and made accessible to the historians. Banqui has officially retired, so you might want to consider hiring Aphra as your chief archeologist, but that’s just a recommendation, not a condition.”

“I agree to the museum. And she’s hired.” He swallowed. If she wants to work for me.

“You’re going to have to get over that,” Shyla said.

“Over what?”