“It’s been a while, Briata,” Abalina said. She sat with the predatory stillness of a lion, her sharp eyes the same shape as her cousin Delta’s, though a shade darker.

“Since before the Siege of Yexshire, I believe, Princess Abalina.”

“Just Lina,” she quickly corrected. “I hate the name Abalina. It sounds like seafood.”

“I hate Briata. Just call me Bri.” Bri snorted. “Briata is the name for a damsel who wears fine dresses and writes poetry in rose gardens.”

“And that’s not you?” Lina taunted.

“No.”

“Could have fooled me.” Her snicker spread to a grin as Bri scowled at her. “I nearly saw you that time in Saxbridge.” She hung her axe back on the hook of her belt. “At Neelo’s card game. When Hale stole the Shil-de ring?”

“Ah, yes. That time.” Bri smirked. “I thought your mother kept you cloistered up in the castle ever since Yexshire?”

“She did . . . but Airev still gets out every now and then.”

“I can see that.” Bri’s chuckle ended on a sobering thought. “I’m sorry for her passing.”

“She was so certain that you would be the end of her.” Lina’s gaze dropped to the coin purse in her hands. “She didn’t worry nearly enough about her own people.”

“I’m not here to steal your crown, Lina,” Bri murmured. “The prophecy of my birth is about the Eastern Court. I’m sure of it now. If I will seize the crown from its sovereign, that must be Augustus Norwood.”

Lina paused before her expression softened. “I believe you.”

“Do you, now?” Bri narrowed her eyes, unable to tell if Lina was being honest beneath that beautiful, stony expression. Bri had been prepared for a battle, expecting to be greeted by contempt from the Princess just as she had from the council.

“My mother was the one with a grudge, not me,” Lina said, straightening the beads of her necklace.

“Hmm.” Bri mused, unsure of her response. Normally, she was a great judge of character, but something about this Princess put her off-balance.

“My people already spit at you for being here. I don’t need to prove my power to you.” Lina shrugged. “Though your presence in Swifthill is a distraction, since your mother has made my ascension to the throne incredibly difficult by spreading her gossip and lies.”

“My mother is as petty as they come.” Bri grimaced, making Lina smile. “I’m glad neither of us are like them.”

“Me too,” Lina whispered. “Though I feel bad saying it now that she’s gone.”

The chilled night air swirled around them as Bri pulled her cloak tighter around her. “I saw Delta today.”

“It was awful.” Lina’s throat bobbed, her eyes going vacant. “She took on an army by herself to protect me.”

“She survived.” Bri tried to sound consoling, but she knew it was little comfort.

“I think sometimes she wished she hadn’t.” She cleared her throat. “I don’t think she would have let Cole help her until you arrived. For whatever reason, she thinks I need a replacement for her protection while she recovers, and she trusts you.” Lina glanced back at Bri, the paint on her face gleaming in the moonlight. “I’m glad you came.”