“Even if Rua has the Immortal Blade, she can’t stop attacks on her people coming from all sides,” Bri panted. “There are only so many places she can be at once.” They crested the undulating trail, careful to avoid roots and rabbit warrens. “Still, Murreneir is probably the safest place in Okrith right now. Rua is holding a ball for the Spring Equinox. Remy and Hale will be in attendance, along with some of the most powerful fae and allies. You’ll be safe there.”

“I’m not leaving the Western Court,” Lina snarled.

“You’re attending a royal event that you were invited to,” Bri hissed. “Like any good Queen would.”

“That was low,” Lina muttered.

“Whatever gets you to say yes,” Bri huffed.

She knew Lina’s desire to be a good ruler would supplant her pride. Lina wanted so badly to be a good Queen; it was evident in all of her choices. She strived to prove her worth, and if Bri could leverage that into protecting her, then so be it.

“Queen Emberspear is going,” Bri added, hoping that detail would nudge Lina over the edge into agreement. “Normally she just sends Neelo, but seeing as it is the first royal engagement of the new sovereigns of the North, she’s leaving the Southern Court to attend. It would be the perfect time to discuss your joint efforts to keep Augustus’s plans from coming to fruition.”

“You’re sounding a lot like Darrow now. This bloody harness,” Lina growled, unhooking her axe from her back and gripping it in her hands. “Better.”

“I know you don’t want to think about this but”—Bri took in a sharp breath, bracing for the inevitable fight that would come from her words—“can you trust Darrow?”

“Yes,” Lina cut in before Bri could even finish speaking.

“Lina—”

“No,” she snapped. “He almost died trying to protect my mother. You should have seen his devastation. I know he seems angry all the time and he is, but you didn’t know him before she died. He isn’t a good enough actor to be so thoroughly destroyed by her passing.”

“He was the one who suggested we come here.” Bri’s legs burned, forcing her to slow to a jog, but she didn’t stop. “Right into a trap.”

“You said yourself it could have been blue witches,” Lina countered. “Why aren’t you accusing Delta? She was there that night too.”

“Because I trust her,” Bri said.

“Because you still love her,” Lina hissed.

Bri halted, whirling around so quick Lina almost smacked into her. “I never loved Delta.” Her chest heaved. “I only ever loved one person and she’s dead, buried in an unmarked grave, her dagger at the bottom of a river.”

Lina’s eyes guttered. “I see.”