“Seriously, Car, I’m fine,” Bri replied. “Nothing a bottle of wine can’t fix.”

Carys tutted.

“I will not abandon my city,” Lina hissed, pulling their attention back to the table.

“Swifthill isn’t safe—”

“You’re not abandoning anything,” Delta cut off Darrow. “You’re finding the right weapon. The witch hunters don’t want the castle, they want you. Don’t make yourself an easy target.”

Lina leaned on her fists over the table. “They have yet to get to me.”

“And how many people died to see that happen?” Delta asked, her voice softer than Bri had ever heard it. She knew it would hurt her cousin to say it, and, judging by the look on Lina’s face, the blow landed just as she anticipated.

“I need to know more about these poisons,” Cole interjected, snapping the stare down between the two cousins. He turned over the golden mask on the table. It had been brought back from the attack, along with a dusting of the purple powder for him to examine. “I think I might be able to find an antidote. With a remedy, you can return to Swifthill without that constant fear.” He looked at Lina, his blue eyes softening. “Even if they managed to try something, you’d be able to protect yourself and any others against it.”

“The witch temple in Silver Sands.” Darrow’s voice was a deep rasp, easily carrying over the others’. “The library has collections from all of the witch covens; perhaps there are some violet witch tomes amongst them.”

“It’s worth a try.” Cole nodded. “I’ll leave at first light.”

“You should go with your brown witch,” Tem said, taking a step closer to Lina. “If there is an antidote to this poison, I want you to be the closest to it at all times.” Lina’s eyes softened at him, making Bri’s stomach clench. “My father will look after Swifthill just as he did for your mother during her official trips.”

Lina’s shoulders bunched and she took a breath. Lowering them back down, she morphed her expression from irritation to one of calm. “I’ll go, but we should crown me before I depart.”

Darrow bristled at the idea. “Do you really think that’s wise, given—”

“I know you’re eager for your coronation,” Delta said, shifting in front of Darrow and effectively silencing him. “But you are already Queen in every way that matters. That isn’t the coronation you deserve, Lina, nor does it show your true power. What’s a couple more weeks to protect a lifetime reign?”

Lina narrowed her eyes at her cousin, frowning at the wisdom in Delta’s words.

“I want you to report back to me,” Lina said carefully to Delta, her eyes dropping to her cousin’s thin sword. “You’ve been promoted from Captain to head councilor and I expect you to honor that duty.”