“Tilda Corentine’s Champion has successfully completed the Trial by Fire,” Warden Rooke announced in a loud voice to the awaiting prisoners.

Shock murmured across the audience, before cries and applause rang out, tentative at first, and then loud enough to make Kiva’s ears hurt on top of everything else. She didn’t have it in her to investigate who was genuinely pleased by her surviving as opposed to those who wished she’d failed.

Rooke raised his hands, and when the crowd quieted again, he said, “In two weeks, Kiva Meridan will face her third task, the Trial by Water. You will bear witness, as is law. Until then, you’re dismissed back to your regular duties.”

The crowd began to disperse, while Kiva swayed in Naari’s arms.

“Are we done here?” the guard asked Rooke.

“Go,” the Warden replied with a flick of his hand. But when Naari started to lead Kiva away, Rooke said, “No, wait.”

He held up the amulet between them. Kiva’s eyes were moving in and out of focus, and she blinked against the dry grittiness left over from the fire, trying her hardest to keep from yielding to the darkness creeping into her vision.

“This can’t happen again,” Rooke warned Kiva in a low voice. “I told you I can’t help you, and I assumed it was implied that no one else can help you, either. I don’t care that Prince Deverick is the heir to Evalon’s throne. If anyone interferes with your third task, royal or otherwise, there will be consequences. Do you understand?”

Kiva shook her head, but not because she didn’t understand. “It wasn’t the prince,” she rasped, every word sounding like charcoal scraping against wood.

Rooke’s expression tightened. “Don’t lie to me.” He thrust the amulet at Kiva, and she fumbled for it with her hand that was still clasping the cloak. Naari took it from her, sliding it into her own pocket for safekeeping.

“I’m not,” Kiva said, all but wheezing now. “It wasn’t the prince. It was the princess.”

“Everyone knows Princess Mirryn doesn’t have enough fire magic for the stunt you pulled today,” Rooke said. “It’s public record. She can manage a few small flames, at best, but her real talent is with air. The power in your little amulet—you can thank Prince Deverick for that. He’s the strongest fire elemental in the Vallentis family.”