“Her letters could easily be a plant, created to soften our stances and put us off our guard. I understand that Tea is a friend, Inessa, but I have a responsibility to do what is best for Kion, as will you when you take my place. You cannot let your heart rule your head in these matters, especially when she has shown no signs of conciliation toward us. She may still nurse a grudge, despite her accusations. And she may have spared most of us from death, but there were deaths all the same. She is losing her self-control. What do you think, Fox?”

“Whatever her intentions, it is the results that matter, Your Majesty. She threatened Kion, and now she may threaten Odalia. If she turns against us when we reach the Hollow Mountains, then do not hesitate to take her down.”

“You can’t!” Inessa gasped.

“Is that why you’re so willing to give Tea the benefit of the doubt, Inessa? Because her death will result in Fox’s?”

The princess trembled. “We need to find another way.”

“You have to be prepared for the eventuality that there may not be another solution.” Love had scrubbed the roughness from Lord Fox’s voice. “I died a soldier once. If I can protect you, then I’d do it all over again.”

“Idiot,” Princess Inessa lamented as we left the throne room. Already the orders for the army to start for southern Odalia had been given. “She’s your sister! There has to be another option! There has to—there must be a—”

Quietly, I stole away. But before I did, I saw Lord Fox framing Princess Inessa’s face with his hands, murmuring words beyond my hearing. He wore a look I have seen men adopt when they venture into the thick of war knowing they would not return—and finding their peace in it.

Lady Zoya waited at the entrance to the palace, her face set. Beside her was the largest man I had ever seen. His beard was carefully combed and long hair pulled back from his face. A wicked-looking hatchet hung from his side.

“We leave in half an hour,” the asha said abruptly. “No word if you’re to come with us, Bard, but it would be best to prepare anyway.”

“Bard?” the tall man boomed. “Drychta, from his looks. Will Althy allow him into battlefields in the first place?”

“They’re allowing you, Rahim, and you aren’t in the army either.”

“Bah. Tresean men fight whether they wield sword, hoe, or needle.”

“What’s going on?” I asked, alarmed.

“Shadi went ahead to warn Fox, so he’ll be hearing it soon enough. They’ve sighted the azi, and it’s heading for the Hollows as well. This time, Tea’s making no attempts at hiding.”

14