Kiva eyed me as if seeing something she hadn’t expected to find. “I hate to say it, but Ericen might actually be good for you.” I must’ve looked absurd, because a grin split across Kiva’s face, and she hastened to explain. “Don’t get me wrong. He’s worse than an ice bear in heat, but I haven’t seen you that engaged with something in months.”

I stared at her. “An ice bear in heat?”

She shrugged. “They’re notoriously foul and vicious. And strangely fond of chocolate.” I rolled my eyes, and she laughed. “I’m serious, Thia. You’ve always needed an opponent. Your mother, Caliza, other riders; you’re the most competitive person I know, and Ericen’s nothing if not a challenge.”

I snorted, but as per usual, Kiva knew me better than I knew myself. I crossed my arms. “A challenge I’ll win.”

She grinned.

Five

I groaned, slamming shut Proper Crow Care with a puff of dust on the table before me. A couple of off-duty guards looked up from their reading, averting their eyes when Kiva gazed coolly back at them. Night had crept in, the large, windowless library lit by sona lamps, inventions from the Ambriels that burned longer than normal lights.

“Anything?” I asked.

Kiva shook her head, tossing the book onto the table with the sort of reckless abandon that would make Caliza pale. “To be honest, I haven’t been paying attention,” Kiva said. “I can’t stop thinking about the Jin prisoner.” I raised an eyebrow, and she leaned across the table, lowering her voice. “Who else would a citizen of Jindae serve if not Razel? The Jin monarchy was torn to ruins when Illucia conquered the kingdom, the entire royal family murdered. But Razel gains nothing if you’re dead.”

“Great, so my people hate me and want me dead.”

“No.” She gave me a flat look. “I heard a rumor among the guards this morning. Some of them have family in Jindae. They’re saying the Jin princess survived. They think she sent the assassins.”

I sat up, leaning close. “Have they seen her?”

She shook her head. “It’s secondhand information, but I think the attack only proves it. If the princess is trying to organize a rebellion to take back Jindae, the last thing she’d want is for Rhodaire to ally with Illucia in any way. That makes more sense than a random attack by angry Rhodairen citizens.”

I shoved a book across the table. “Even our allies are enemies then.” I pressed my face into my hands. It was all too much. Too many questions, too many things to do, too much effort. I’d just started getting out of bed every day; how was I supposed to handle all this?

“We’ll figure it all out, Thia,” Kiva said. “One step at a time.”