“You can do it here,” Renwick said, tipping his head to the fire behind him. “They probably want to make sure you survived the storms.”

Before Lina could agree, the fae guard nodded and stepped up to the roaring fire at Renwick’s back. He whispered the magical conjuring words and the flames turned a bright green. Lina frowned but stood, ambling over to the fireplace to speak with her councilors.

“Word has come from the South,” Remy said. “Fenrin contacted me earlier.”

Bri noted the way Aneryn perked up at the brown witch’s name. She leaned over the table to look at Remy.

“The southern storms have wrecked Augustus’s fleet,” Hale said. “He was foolish to try to take the southern route this time of year. It looks like the weather has been our champion.”

“Why don’t I feel comforted?” Bri asked, her eyes darting between the cards in her hands and Lina crouched beside the fire.

A voice flickered out from the flames. Tem’s voice.

“Are you all right? Are you hurt?” Concern coated his warm tone. “Have they found him yet?”

The conversation around Bri dimmed as she honed her fae hearing, hooking into the conversation Lina whispered into the flames.

“I’m all right, Tem,” she said softly, knowing the rest of them could hear but still keeping her voice low. “We’re safe.”

“That lying bastard,” Tem growled. “It was Cole this whole time?”

“I don’t know,” Lina said. “There’s still a lot of unanswered questions.”

“I’ll alert Delta and Yaest now.” His voice hardened with resolve. “He won’t step foot in Swifthill without your guards knowing, Lina, I promise you that.”

“You did good work,” Darrow’s voice sounded from the hearth. “Whether intentional or not, you stomped out the rat, and now it’s time to come claim your victory.”

“Give her time,” Tem said. “Let her celebrate with the Northern royals. We’ll prepare for your coronation and our wedding for when you return.”

All eyes in the room darted toward Bri and she snickered, knowing that they had all been eavesdropping too. It wouldn’t matter how much she scrubbed with soap, they probably could all smell Lina’s jasmine and rose oil clinging to her clothes and hair. Judging by their surprised expressions, it seemed none of them knew Lina was engaged.

Bri held her breath, waiting for Lina to give some sign of refusal, that yes still ringing like a honeyed song in her mind.

But Lina only said, “I’ll be home soon. Stay well.”

Remy nibbled at her lip. Rua scowled at her cards. Talhan’s eyebrows lifted expectantly. Bri knew all of their tells—how to read each of their expressions—and right then, she wished she could vanish from the card table instead of bearing the weight of their pity.