“Get up get up get up get up!” Humusi commanded.

“Leave me alone!” the woman cried. “Guardsmen!”

It was Gudanna! But where was Uruku?

There was scuffling, water splashing, shocked grunts, and a massive sploosh as something fell into the bath. But eventually, Gudanna was dragged, sopping wet, out of the bathing room, her belly bulging in the bolt of linen haphazardly draped around her. Scars wrapped up from her abdomen, around her throat and chin, from the fire that had killed her family so long ago. Her ankles were swollen and face puffy from being with child.

“Where is Uruku?” Dagan asked Gudanna as he exited the room dripping wet, discarding the snuffed torch to the side as he walked around to face her. His voice was low. Menacing. Darker than I’d ever heard it.

Humusi and Taram pulled Gudanna tight on either side and wrestled her up closer to Dagan. I fought the urge to shrink away from the air of violence heavy in the humid chamber.

“He’s not here.” Gudanna’s lip curled up, twisting at one corner from the scars. Her hair was plastered to the sides of her face, framing bright, intelligent eyes flashing with indignation. “He did not want to come today. Said he felt the presence of Alani, and now we know why.”

Dagan stepped forward and pressed his emerald dagger to her throat. She tried to tug away, but the warriors held her firmly.

“It is no matter,” Dagan said. “Tell us where he is! NOW!”

She sneered. “I knew you’d come back to save your mother, Farmer. You’re too senseless and weak to do otherwise.”

Dagan stood taller, his lip curling with unmitigated rage. “Tell us where he is, woman, or I’ll cut out your heart.”

At that, Gudanna’s face twisted with interest up at him. “Liar,” she challenged.

Dagan gritted his teeth and sliced down her bare arm in a jagged cut. She gasped as blood began seeping from the wound and rolling down her arm.

“For the sake of Selu, Dagan!” I yelled, but he was not listening to me.

“Where. Is. Your. Evil. Husband!” He held the dagger directly in front of her right eye, shaking with rage, and for a moment, Gudanna looked afraid. Truly afraid.

“He’s in the Palace. In our chambers.”

“Then take us to him.” Dagan clenched his jaw.

“Yes! Good idea,” I told him, my heart nearly bursting with nerves. “She can escort us into the Palace and tell the guardsmen to stand down or—”

“Or what? You’ll kill me? Ha!” She sneered. “You need me alive to get to my husband.”

“But we don’t need that brat in your womb,” Iltani said, her eyes lit with malice. “Kammani is a healer and she can cut that kid right out of you if you don’t do what we say.”

Gudanna’s face went white. She looked at me. “You wouldn’t let that happen. I know it. That isn’t in you.”

Iltani continued. “You have no idea the level of death and destruction in this girl’s heart. Yes, she would! So you will lead us safely into the Palace and tell the guardsmen to stand down. Now choose! Your husband or your child!”