“And you’ve never understood the crows! You’ve always hated them, and they knew it. It’s why none of them would ever let you ride them.”

Caliza’s face flushed, and my anger broke as understanding settled. “That’s it, isn’t it?” I asked. “Why you’re so against them?”

She dropped back onto the bed. “I wasn’t meant to be a rider. Mother always said so.”

“What?”

“She told me to give up on the crows. I tried anyway, but she was right. The crows rejected me.”

I sat beside her. “I had no idea.”

Caliza smiled tightly. The circlet on her head sat askew, her usually immaculate hair tangled around it. Tension rippled across her skin like an earthquake. Then she straightened, letting out a single shuddering breath. “We cannot win this war with a single crow.”

“Maybe. But we could win with a crow and Trendell’s support. And they might help us if they thought we had a chance.”

She didn’t respond at first, fingers worrying at a few strands of hair. Her fingers were so thin, delicate, not made to grip a sword or hold fast to a saddle hundreds of feet in the air.

“Please, Caliza. You have to trust me.” Reaching out, I took her hand in mine. Her fingers stilled. I leaned forward to meet her gaze, and swore for a fleeting second that tears threatened her eyes. Then she blinked, and the look was gone.

“I’m so sorry.” Her words tumbled out in a torrent. “I’ve been so overwhelmed. I didn’t think there was another way—I still don’t. I mean, I don’t know if hatching the egg is possible, and I don’t know if it will help, but you’re right. If there’s even a chance, we have to take it.” Her hand tightened around mine.

I squeezed it back. “I’ll do whatever I can.”

She smiled. “You always were the fighter. I think that’s why you were Mother’s favorite.”

A bark of laughter escaped my lips. “If by favorite you mean least disliked, maybe, but I still think you were imagining things.”

Her smile faded. “I miss her.”

“I know.” I swallowed hard. “So do I.” Even if our mother hadn’t been as warmhearted and open as I would have liked, I’d still loved her. Still wanted to make her happy, to earn her respect and praise despite the distance that stretched between us.

“In the meantime,” I said, “I’ll play nice with Ericen.”

She eyed me. “I know it’s difficult, but we have to placate him. Particularly if we’re going to break our agreement. He can’t suspect us.”

I nodded. “I’ll try.”