“That is what they need to hear.” Behind me, the first dragon’s power thrummed and rolled through me, rattling my bones and lending me courage. I wanted, as I had before, to touch her, but now was not the time. Not yet.

Soon.

“Very well.” There was a look in Apolla’s eyes, a mix of admiration and disappointment, but she just turned to the court. “The Algotti Empire has offered aid to the Fallen Isles in their time of need. Ten ships have been dispatched to rescue survivors of the Great Abandonment. Originally, we intended to bring the survivors here, temporarily. However, after recent events, I’ve come to a firm decision on how I will handle the refugees.”

The low boom of thunder was the only sound.

“Though it pains me, I must turn away the refugees of the Fallen Isles.”

A few people gasped, and someone let out a choked sob.

She turned to address those in the lower gallery. “I will restock your ships with food and drinkable water, enough to last for months, if necessary. The ships I sent in advance will continue to work until they’re no longer needed. But I’m afraid this will be the extent of the Algotti Empire’s influence in Fallen Isles affairs.” She smiled, as though to say we’d done this to ourselves. Which we had. “Tonight, you will be sent back to the Fallen Isles to determine your own fates.”

“What?” Eka was outraged. “How could you be so callous? We came to you for help.”

“You came at High Magistrate Paorah’s behest and attacked my city. Three thousand people are dead because you came here, and I must value the lives of my own people above the lives of yours.”

Sadness filled me. I understood why she felt that way, but The Book of Love urged us to help one another, to ensure our neighbors were cared for and welcome into our homes if needed.

It was just another reminder that she was not from the Fallen Isles, let alone Damina, and she had likely never read The Book of Love. Or, if she had, she thought it encouraged weakness.

“This was not an easy decision to reach,” Apolla said, that same grave tone in her voice. “But I have considered all I’ve given to the Fallen Isles already—my finest apartments, clothes, magic, ships, everything you’ve asked for and more. I wanted only one thing in exchange. One thing. And I was betrayed.”

I hesitated, only a moment. Confrontation rarely worked well for me, and confrontation with an audience—it was nearly unthinkable. But I gathered up my strength and spoke as the Dragonhearted. “I did not betray you. I did exactly as you asked, Apolla.”

Someone gasped at my use of her given name.

“You wanted me to heal the dragons,” I said. “Those dragons never should have been sent away from the Fallen Isles, but Paorah used the authorization he gave himself via the Mira Treaty and did what he wanted, heedless of the fact that his actions would hasten the Great Abandonment.