The messenger found me in my room alone. Although Talea and I continued to be lovers, I firmly insisted on sleeping by myself. I didn’t want her or anyone else to realize that my nighttime slumber couldn’t be interrupted.

When I arrived at the Hon’s private rooms, I saw Senera and Wyrga were also present.

Wyrga was kneeling on the floor. For once, her polar bear cub was nowhere to be seen.

I exhaled. Senera had asked me to wait before going to Duke Kaen about her, and so I had. Apparently, however, Senera had only asked so she might deliver the news herself.

The question was: Just how much had she told him? Had she told him the cub was Cherthog? Had she told him who that meant Wyrga must be? Not a witch-mother, no. The Name of All Things had been right when it had told us she wasn’t one of Suless’s chosen daughters. No, she was much worse.

Wyrga was Suless herself.

“Close the doors behind you.”

Senera looked tense, nearly standing at attention, looking straight ahead, eyes unfocused. I had the feeling she’d been questioned intensely before I entered. Next to her, on the table before the Hon, sat the Name of All Things.

Several pieces of crumpled parchment had been thrown to the floor.

“Thank you for joining us, Janel.”

I bowed to the Hon. “Of course, Your Grace. How may I be of service?”

“I think you know.”

I straightened and tried to keep my face blank.

I pursed my lips for a moment. “I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I don’t wish to assume on this matter. It concerns Wyrga?”

The Hon’s expression didn’t change. His ice-colored eyes bored into mine. Angry. I had never seen him so angry.

“Yes,” he said. “Senera was kind enough to look into the situation that ended with you on the ice. She tells me I have Wyrga to thank. Indeed, I have Wyrga to thank for convincing my wives to rekindle the worship of Suless as well.” He walked out from behind the desk, and as he passed the old woman, he kicked her in the stomach.

She cried out and rolled up into a ball, holding her midriff.

I frowned. Had I been wrong? If she really was Suless, wouldn’t she fight this? Wouldn’t she lash out?

“If you hadn’t come to my wives’ defense, her plan would never have been discovered. Or discovered too late. I’d probably be facing open rebellion.”

“Then I’m even more glad I was there, Your Grace.” I tried to smile at him, but I couldn’t shake my dread. I’d seen his temper.

Senera looked worried.

No. Senera looked scared.