Kalen had volunteered to do the deed, arguing it would be too dangerous for the king to carry out the execution, given the prisoner’s condition. His blade was quick and sharp, and the grotesque mantis-like daeva died instantly and without further pain.

King Rendorvik ordered full honors for his burial. “You would not have come all the way here if your work wasn’t important,” he said, “I appreciate your offer to stay for the funeral, but it will take time that you don’t have.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Althy said, grateful. “I only wish we could do more.”

“You can help by finding the madman responsible, Lady Altaecia.”

“I’ll stay behind to help Rendor,” Councilor Ludvig informed me. “A full investigation must be carried out, and he’s asked me to take charge. Let me do what I can here while you do what you can in Kion. Perhaps we can find the answer coming at both ends.”

“I will miss you,” I told him tearfully, hugging him tight.

He snorted. “I’ll see you in a few months, child. Let’s not be too dramatic about this.” But I thought his eyes were misty as he said it.

King Rendorvik presented me with Sakmeet’s journal before we left. “She had no living relatives here, and her writings should be appreciated by one who understands her work.” I was touched and thanked him warmly.

Lord Garindor promised to hide both of the rare books should any other asha come from the Willows. Lord Cyran seized Khalad’s hand, promising to help the Drychta protect the tomes with his own life if necessary, oblivious to Likh’s displeasure.

All good-byes said, I reached out toward the azi again, knowing full well it might be the last time. The daeva understood; I found sorrow instead of anger, but the thoughts reaching out to me were those of comfort. This time, there were no visions of Istera in flames to torture me as we climbed up into the sky and became lost among the clouds.

As before, we landed a good distance from the city, where we had departed. To our surprise, soldiers arrived as we were disembarking. At their head was the elder asha, Hestia, smugly in the lead. With her was the Deathseekers’ leader, Zahid, and Kalen’s friends Ostry and Levi, both unable to hide their discomfort.

The azi was quick. As soon as we had disembarked, it launched itself into the air and vanished from view, heedless of Hestia’s stuttered ultimatums. Seething, she turned to me instead.

“Tea of House Valerian.” Even under the spell of the Calm rune, I had to resist the urge to smack the smirk off of the elder’s face. “On behalf of the Willows, I am arresting you for the murder of Sancha al-Sarim.”

“Who’s that?” Likh asked, confused.