“I seem to be well enough,” I agreed. I felt like a crab a seagull had dropped on a rock a few times to break its shell, but that was still an encouraging improvement. “Are the children safe?”

He nodded. “They’re with their parents. Your friend Domenic returned them home.”

I sank into my pillow. “Thank the Graces.”

“It was at Viscount Bergandon’s town house that I caught up to Lieutenant Verdi,” Ciardha said. “When I arrived in Ardence and the Serene Envoy’s staff explained you were being hunted as the duke’s murderer, I guessed you might have gone to your old school friend. If I hadn’t caught Lieutenant Verdi there, he would have run back to you without my assistance or the elixir, and I fear I would have had a disappointing report for La Contessa.”

Marcello ducked his head. “I owe you my thanks, Lady Ciardha.”

“Please, Lieutenant, I am but a humble retainer.”

I repressed an unladylike snort. “What’s the situation in the Ardentine court?”

Marcello grimaced. “Chaos. I don’t know the details. Lady Terringer is still sick—”

“Poisoned,” Ciardha murmured.

“So no one is representing the Serene Empire.” Marcello rubbed a hand through his hair. “I gather there’s a lot of shouting and confusion.”

Ciardha bowed politely. “If I may add some details, Lady?”

My mouth twitched. Marcello didn’t know Ciardha well enough to realize he’d been delivered a stinging criticism of his ability to deliver a briefing. “Please.”

“Today is the doge’s deadline, and I have verified with La Contessa over the courier lamps that he has declined to move it. While the jess has been recovered, Ardence still must return to abiding by the Serene Accords by sundown, or he will order the city’s destruction.”

“Graces preserve us.” I struggled again to sit up, and this time I succeeded. “Is there a new duke? Do they even have someone who could make that decision?”

Ciardha shook her head, her dark eyes grave. “No, Lady. Duke Astor Bergandon had no direct heir, and the succession is unclear. The Ardentine court is split by internal conflict. Domenic Bergandon leads the side calling for reconciliation with Raverra. His brother, Gabril, is urging an opposing faction to repudiate Raverra, relying on Vaskandar for protection from consequences; he is backed by several Lords of the Council, most notably Lord Ulmric. Much of the court still blames you for Duke Astor’s death. Gabril and his allies also lay the fault for the death of Lady Savony, as well as the kidnapping of the children, at the feet of the Falcons.”

“Well, that’s partly true,” I said. “Zaira did kill Savony. But she was a traitor to Ardence and the Empire.”