“Other command posts have sent in reports of the skin-ghasts. I’m going to order them to increase patrols by night. I’m also going to relay that the Crows are being targeted and require them to report any Crow casualties immediately.” Draga turned about to face the east, same as Fie. “It’s not perfect. There are a thousand ways it’ll be fouled up. But it’s a way to flush out the Hawks who are part of the problem, so that once Rhusana is handled … we can keep the oath.”

Fie’s fingers dug into stone. “You’ll—you’ll give us Hawks?”

“Save your victory dance,” drawled Draga. “First I have to parade that boy all the way back to the royal palace with enough bells, flags, and armed soldiers to really say, ‘Auntie Draga loves you.’ Then we have to win over the king and sort out a gods-awful horror of logistics and recruit volunteers and then…” Draga rubbed a hand over her face. “Then, yes. You will have Hawks.”

Fie couldn’t breathe.

You will have Hawks.

She’d done it. She’d made the oath. She’d kept it.

For her ma, for Pa, for Wretch, even for Hangdog—she’d kept the oath.

“I … apologize,” Draga said stiffly. “You should have had us sooner.” She slid Fie another look. “You’ve already figured out the catch, haven’t you?”

Fie nodded, throat tightening once more.

“Then I’m sorry for that, too.” Draga’s face softened. “He’ll be waking up any moment now. I believe you have a better use for your time.”

Fie mimicked the Hawk salute, much to Draga’s ire, and returned to her room. Tavin rolled onto his back when the door shut, drowsy and smiling as he reached out a hand. She wound her fingers in his and climbed into bed beside him.

“Were you outside?” he mumbled against the side of her neck. “You’re cold.”

“Aye.” She closed her eyes, letting herself enjoy his lips on her skin a moment more, but the longer she waited, the more bitter the words would be. She forced them out. “I know you can’t leave with us.”

He went still, fingertips pressing against her ribs.

“No,” he admitted, “I can’t.”

It was one thing for the bastard of an unknown father to roam Sabor at her side.

It was wholly different for the king’s bastard to do it.