“Sentinels,” she says. We wait in agony as the poor woman catches her breath. “I was looking for you. You or the Chief Scholar.” Her eyes dart around, but there is no one else in the hallway.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

She keeps her voice low and quiet, but not so much that I don’t hear her next, horrible words. “We’ve lost another child. An eight-year-old boy.”

“Skies keep him,” I say, with Hammond and Renna echoing the same. By the look in the Chief Healer’s eyes, she’s far from done.

“He was only in my care four days,” she whispers. “His mother said he wasn’t feeling well before, but even then, that makes it five days total.” Her voice racks with pain. “Don’t you see? The disease is moving faster than the scholars warned. They told us we had ten days. Now you see it is half that.”

The three of us share a look. Hammond’s expression is as close to panicked as I’ve ever seen it. Renna looks ready to murder.

“Go back to the infirmary and comfort that family,” I whisper. “Tell no one. We’ll consult with the Chief Scholar and come to you as soon as we can.”

She shoots me a look like she resents being told what to do, but she goes anyway. When she’s out of sight, Renna pivots and strides determinedly down the stairs. I know exactly where she’s headed.

“Noam said ten days,” I say as we head toward his room.

“The deserter lied,” she fires back. “And the prince is doomed because of it.”

15

ROWAN

The chimes of fourth bell ring out as I cross from the Warriors’ Hall and into the palace. The two buildings are connected by a walkway with the honey-colored glass in the windows and supported by sturdy stone arches underneath. I’d picked one of my nicest outfits—a pale yellow dress that was fitted nicely to my frame. My mother had had it tailored to me for Shirene’s sentinel ceremony, but it hasn’t seen any use since. I had left my long hair down, but at the crown, I braided it to the side and secured it with a single gold feather hairpin. I had enough to worry about without my hair getting in my face.

At best, I hope to pass for the daughter of one of the military families. The only part of the palace I’ve been to regularly is where Callen’s family lives, though I stopped going years ago when Callen did. I hope that if I walk there with confidence, it will quell any curiosity from watchful guards. Anyone stationed in the palace will be several years my senior and may not know my name, but they’d notice someone who looks completely lost.