Bern’s horse trotted off, kicking up dust as the open wagon driven by Neelo and Rish trailed behind. Long days of travel were ahead of them. They’d venture back to the Southern Court to collect the Queen and then journey north for the Spring Equinox celebrations. Bern would stay in Yexshire to brief Remy and Hale and take over for them while they attended the festivities in Murreneir.

“See you in a few days,” Neelo farewelled, keeping a wary eye on the boats rowing toward shore.

The choppy waves jostled the boats, those rowing the oars falling out of rhythm as they battled to enter the calmer waters of the harbor.

Bri and Carys turned their horses back toward the western road. The trail hugged the High Mountains, driving straight up toward the Northern Court. It was the fastest way to Murreneir . . . and the fastest way to safety.

Bri glanced at the glittering harbor one last time. The boats drew nearer, close enough to make out the faces of the soldiers on them. She stared at Augustus Norwood’s pinched, thin lips, sensing his fury even from the distance. He must have known by the time his boats hit the silver sand, Lina would be long gone, but instead of doubling back, his boats continued toward shore. Bri thought back to the many tantrums she’d witnessed from the young prince. She wouldn’t be surprised if he razed the whole library in his anger.

The carriage sprung to life and Carys’s and Bri’s horses quickly followed. Each clomp of hooves and creak of carriage wheels was weighted by how narrowly they’d avoided an attack. If they hadn’t spotted those scouts . . . Bri didn’t know if they could have defended against the number of soldiers crammed into those boats. If Augustus had brought more of that noxious purple smoke, their group would have been trapped on the cliff, unable to flee.

Lina’s face flashed into Bri’s mind. She’d never seen her words hit someone like that—the worst weapon she could wield, the most cruel. It was a skill she’d unwittingly learned from her mother. Helvia Catullus always knew just the right barbs, collecting weaknesses and secrets to employ when she needed them. Bri hated that she’d done the same thing to Lina, that somehow her mother’s influence still tainted her existence.

The air thinned as they drove back into the arid landscapes, the greenery yellowing as the sun baked it.

They’d traveled for nearly an hour before Carys spoke. “You okay?” The words barely came out of her mouth.

Bri swallowed, rolling her shoulders. “You were right.”

“I wish I weren’t,” Carys said too gently.

Bri gripped the reins so tightly she was certain they’d leave a permanent outline on her palm. “Gods, me too.”

Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two