“Well, here’s what we actually know. The letter wasn’t addressed to anyone in particular. It only said my friend. It could just as easily been meant for you. Or another person on your Council.” My nostrils flare, not willing to accept this version of the story.

“Then how would the rebels have gotten the letter?” I snap, immediately regretting it. But she doesn’t flinch away from me, understanding my outburst is a coping mechanism to deal with my emotions. Just like Nemesia always understood.

“I’m not sure, but there are several possibilities,” she says slowly. “The actual mole may have intercepted it and placed it there for us to find. Or the rebels intercepted it and kept it because of the information it contained. All I’m saying is, we should be careful about assuming we’re in the clear with the mole. There could be multiple, or this could somehow be a trick we don’t yet understand.” She’s right, and I sigh at the complicated situation we’ve found ourselves in. Every time I think we’ve found answers, it only creates more questions and raises the stakes of failure.

“What do you recommend, then? With the Council?” She goes silent for a few beats, lost in thought. Her eyes track quickly side to side, like she’s visually playing out every possible path forward to determine which has the best outcome.

“You should still tell your Council about Nemesia. Tell them you’ve been working with us and you’re bringing us together to fight the rebels. In the background, the three of us will keep watch and try to see what information we can gather. We’re pretty good at getting information out of people when they think they’re flirting with Thorne or teaching a young and inexperienced female about politics.” She grins for a moment, but then her eyes widen. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have suggested that. Thorne doesn’t have to—” I hold up my hand to cut her off, hiding the hot spike of jealousy boiling in my veins.

“It’s okay. It’s a good strategy. I knew you’d come up with something brilliant.” My words are true, even if I hate the idea of Thorne flirting with my Council. “The three of you might find something useful. If there is another mole on the Council, someone may have heard or seen something, even if they haven’t put the pieces together about what it means.”

She looks unconvinced. “But, what about you and Thorne? Don’t you want to tell your Council about the two of you being mates?”