She smiled, her face full of naked adoration. Then she turned back to the map, her fingers resting on the edge of the paper. “A shame I couldn’t go with you – I would’ve liked to see the faces of my ancestors.”

Before the Duke could respond, Roland came back into the room. “You said it was time.”

Neither acknowledged him. Instead, Lessa leaned over and kissed the Duke’s cheek. “Victory will be ours,” she said. “And it will be thanks to you… Father.”

The three of them departed.

The tear slowly began to heal from top to bottom, edges folding in until it was gone. I glanced up at the Queen, who cocked both eyebrows. “Well?”

“I was expecting to see the troll King.”

Her eyes glittered. “You didn’t ask to see him.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then shut it again. I’d asked to see my enemy, and she’d shown me Angoulême, which meant that was who she believed it to be. Given she saw all, that was no small thing. Now we knew the Duke was leaving Trollus, that he intended to recruit humans – unwillingly – to his cause, and that Roland was giving them some trouble. Best of all, Lessa had given away where we were to find him. I would’ve liked to see the faces of my ancestors…

“Of course, if you’d like to see your… father-in-law, it is easily done.” The Queen’s smile revealed a maw full of razor sharp teeth. I blinked, and they were gone. “For a small price.”

My stomach clenched at the memory of the pain that had come from her taking my song, but it hadn’t lasted long and it had been worth it to see what the Duke was planning. I could go through it again if it meant learning as much about Thibault. “What sort of small price? Another song?”

The Queen stared into the depths of the mirror on the wall. “No,” she said. “Something else. A meeting, I think.”

“With Tristan.” It wasn’t a question. “Why?”

“I desire to renew our acquaintance.”

A sour taste filled my mouth, and I turned away from her so she couldn’t see my face while I thought. She had something to gain from meeting with Tristan, that much was certain. But was her gain our sacrifice? “I’d have to go back to the castle to ask if he’d be willing,” I said. “I don’t speak for him.”

“Of course not.” Her tongue ran over her lips. “But why make the trek back through the cold when you can ask him from here? It is within your power.”

She meant that I should use his name. It was a simple enough thing to do, and although I knew he wouldn’t appreciate me using it, he might deem it worth it in the end.