Of course, after the Great Abandonment finished, those gifts might be gone forever.

“So valuable I needed an escort this large.” I motioned toward the men and women who’d come with me on the barge. They’d stayed a respectable distance away, allowing Apolla and me to talk in relative privacy, but I had no doubt they were straining to hear every single word.

“Yes.” She stepped close, as though imparting a secret. “In difficult times, such as those following unprovoked attacks, otherwise civilized people can become violent. Would that I could vouch for every one of my citizens, but I’m afraid there may be some who will see you no differently than they see those islanders who attacked the city. Protecting you is among my highest priorities.”

A slow ache pounded through my head, but it wasn’t mine; it belonged to one of the dragons lying nearby. “I was not told that I would be leaving the palace today,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “Otherwise, I would have asked my personal guard to accompany me.”

It wasn’t that I needed Hristo immediately. With the giant noorestone buzzing darkly in the back of my mind, I was more than capable of defending myself. Where there were noorestones, I was powerful.

That was why neither Hristo nor I had been informed of the location of this meeting. It was a show of control. A reminder that I needed her.

Apolla simply nodded. “My apologies,” she said, without a trace of sincerity.

I smiled, as though I accepted, and moved on. “What of the people who came aboard all those ships? Are they being guarded as well?”

“Yes.” Apolla motioned for me to walk with her around the mound of dragons. They didn’t notice our presence, and the burned ground crunched under our shoes. “My harbor guard is protecting the island fleet from anyone who would unduly harm the people residing there. Many of them seem to be merchants or bankers, tradespeople with no ability to defend themselves.”

“Paorah wanted to bring wealth and skills of the Fallen Isles.”

“In the coming days, we will determine who was complicit in the attacks on Sunder. Already, several arrests have been made—those of notable rank aboard the ship that fired the noorestone into the city. They’re being questioned and awaiting trial.”

“Trial?” I raised an eyebrow. “They’re citizens of the Fallen Isles.”

“They’re refugees seeking shelter in the Algotti Empire, per the agreement I made with High Magistrate Paorah.”

“Which he violated.”

“Shall I have the violation clauses brought up?” Her words were clipped. “I assure you, the results would not be pretty.”

“The agreement you and I made supersedes the one you made with him.”

“We haven’t signed anything.”

“Nevertheless,” I said, “you agreed to it. And no part of our agreement gives you authority over my people.”

She shook her head slowly, continuing to glide around the dragons as though we were taking a leisurely stroll together. Her tone turned gentler. “And how will you impose your authority? Will you take them back to the Fallen Isles for judgment?” She looked at me askance. “I know you wish to maintain your independence, but you’re already dealing with significant problems. These people hurt my city. My people. Allow me to take the burden of pursuing the truth and meting out suitable punishment. You would, of course, be consulted.”