The smile vanished from Kiva’s face, and I spun about to find Razel striding toward us, Shearen and another Vykryn her ever-present shadows. My skin instantly grew hot, my heart beating erratically.

Breathe. I drew a deep breath, holding it until my lungs burned, then let it out silently as the queen halted before us.

“I received your request, Thia dear.” She held up my note between two fingers, her head tilted like a predator considering its prey. “After last night, I have to say I’m concerned for the safety of my citizens. You clearly possess an unhealthy amount of rage.” Her eyes slid from me to the arrow I’d driven between the dummy’s eyes. “What if you were to lose your temper and hurt someone?”

My eyes widened. I possessed an unhealthy amount of rage? I was a threat to her people? She’d practically tried to kill Ericen yesterday! I started to reply when something jabbed into my side. My gaze snapped down to the pommel of Kiva’s sword as she shifted it out of view.

Right. Demure. Compliant.

“I apologize for last night.” Each word scraped against my throat like hot coals, but I forced them out. “I panicked, and I reacted poorly. It won’t happen again.”

Razel’s kohl-lined gaze didn’t waver. A heartbeat later, I realized I hadn’t blinked either and quickly bowed my head.

“Very well,” the queen said.

I didn’t dare look up. I didn’t think I could control myself if I saw the satisfaction dripping from her voice reflected in her face.

Footsteps sounded and then faded, and I raised my head to watch her leave. Around us, the training Vykryn smirked and muttered to each other.

I forced myself to breathe against the sickening feeling twisting inside me.

Kiva stepped up beside me. “It’s worth it. Remember why you’re doing this.”

“I remember.”

* * *

We stepped out of the castle to a dry but clouded day, where a blue-and-gold carriage sat waiting with two Vykryn on horseback beside it. I exchanged looks with Kiva as she gave our driver the address and we climbed inside.

“We need a way to get rid of them,” I whispered.

Kiva peered out the window at one of the massive black horses as the carriage rumbled into motion. “They only care you don’t escape. Maybe they’ll stay outside.”

Several minutes later, we rounded a bend of houses, and the Colorfalls sprang into view. They were far more muted during the day, the colors turned pastel from the pale sunlight filtering through the parting clouds.

I asked our driver for directions, and he pointed at the bakery Ericen had taken me to. The warm smell of bread drifted out as we approached, the quiet music of a wooden wind chime jingling. A massive willow tree obscured nearly half the building, and thick green vines curled around the edges and along the roof.