“That’s not fair,” Delta growled at her cousin.

“You think you have no meaning if you can’t wield a sword, Delta, but you are the sharpest mind I know, and I need you on my council. Which means you need to have enough energy to keep your fucking eyes open!” Lina seethed, and Bri felt every ounce of her fury that her cousin wouldn’t save herself. “You told me only if Briata Catullus took the mantle of my guard while you recovered would you let Cole treat you.” Lina’s lips twisted into a smirk, knowing she’d won. “Well, she’s here, and whether she stays or goes is your choice, Delta, so what is it?”

Delta’s head hung, and Saika rubbed a slow hand across her good shoulder. That little action made Bri clench her teeth.

“Fine,” Delta said, bobbing her head.

Lina glanced at Bri without missing a beat. “Then you should go get ready to train.”

“Good,” Bri said, trying to hide her eagerness at seeing what Lina could do with that axe. She gave Lina an approving nod, glad that at least one of them could cut through Delta’s stubbornness. It was clear then how much Lina loved her cousin—hard, but caring. She pushed Delta when she wouldn’t push herself. An ember of respect sparked in Bri’s chest. These same qualities would make her a good Queen.

* * *

Bri pulled on her fighting leathers, checking and rechecking the belts with nervous hands. The tension hung heavy in the air, knowing that Delta would be undergoing the operation as she readied to train with Lina. The lines in her periphery warped, and she knew the lack of sleep was catching up to her. She’d need to rest in the afternoon. Going more than a few days like this made her shaky, and she needed to be sharp in this place.

“She’ll be all right,” Carys said for the hundredth time, scratching out a line in her notebook.

“She’ll live,” Bri gritted out. “I don’t know if she’ll be all right.”

“It’s not your responsibility to fix every broken person, Bri,” Carys said, dipping her quill back in the inkpot.

Bri glowered at her. “I know.”

A sound at the door made them both jump. Bri was on her feet in an instant as a servant hustled in.

“Is it done?” she asked, trying to hide the eager tone in her voice.

“No, My Lady.” The servant shook his head, wringing his hands. “It hasn’t even begun. Captain Thorne demands to speak with you first.”

“Gods,” Carys said with an exasperated sigh, wiping her ink-stained fingers down her trouser leg. “Let’s go.”

Bri was already heading toward the door. They rushed after the servant, who moved on long, swift legs into the depths of the castle. Turning the corner to Cole’s office, the sound of shouting and clay shattering echoed off the walls. Bri broke into a run, bursting through the far door.

Her boots crunched over the shards of pottery as she took in the space. Delta lay on the table in the center of the room, Saika beside her, holding her good hand. Lina stood with her arms folded, leaning against the far wall while Cole busied himself with his potion bottle. They all seemed to freeze when Bri entered.