“Why?” My voice cut through the cacophony of protests.

Empress Apolla frowned at me. “You are far too valuable,” she said. “I’ve seen what you can do. Besides, your people will not harm my city while you’re here. The substance that affected your giant noorestones has been removed from your ships and destroyed, and the catapult that launched that noorestone has been appropriated for alternative use. Their removal made room for more food rations. I’m sure everyone agrees they’d rather have food than weapons.”

“Then you’ve crippled our ships. They were only able to cross the sea because of the substance. It will take decans to return without it.” And we had mere days before the last gods rose.

Apolla smiled grimly. “Then they’d better leave now.”

My heart twisted. “Please reconsider.”

“I’ve already considered. Everyone from the Fallen Isles—except you—will leave immediately. The ships are being prepared as we speak.”

“Release Mira.” Hristo stepped forward.

“No.” Apolla sighed. “If you don’t go, then I’ll deem you subjects of the empire. You’ll certainly be welcome to stay here, if that’s the case, but you’ll also be arrested and placed in prison for your attack on my person.”

Gerel glanced at Hristo, to see whether he planned to rush through the guards and grab me, I supposed. And beyond them, I caught Ilina’s worried gaze, and Zara hugging herself as she looked on, and Chenda making her shadow flutter beneath the guards—like she might be able to use it to help free me.

And then there was Aaru, dark-eyed and worried, but he kept himself pulled up tall as our gazes locked. ::What do you want?:: he tapped.

They would fight for me, I knew it. And they would lose.

A deep hum set in my soul, drawing me toward the first dragon. I needed to go to her. I needed to touch her. I needed to—

No. First I needed to defuse this situation. My heart pounded, but I made myself speak the word: “Go.”

“What?” Chenda’s mouth dropped open.

“You can’t be serious.” Zara stepped toward me, but the guards blocked her way. “Mira, you’re coming with us.”

“No,” I said. “You need to go. Find another island to settle on for now. Search for a new home.”

Ilina shook her head. “We’ll never make it home in time to save anyone. And what about—” Her eyes flickered to the bones of the first dragon behind me.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I said. “I’m sorry. This is the only way.”

Zara stared at me, confusion in her eyes, and for a moment, we shared the sort of sisterly connection I’d always wished for us to have. Our relationship had changed so much in the last few decans, and now that we could almost acknowledge liking each other, the empress wanted to force us apart.

I looked at Apolla. “Please allow me to say good-bye to my friends. My sister, at least.”

The empress considered; I saw the way she weighed the outcomes, the chances of me somehow betraying her, and how she’d appear to her court. At last, she shook her head. “You’ve already wasted your time. The tide will go out soon, and if they aren’t gone by nightfall, everyone here will be my prisoner.”