He scoffed. “She’s his wife, not his confidant or counselor. Her voice is for singing him sonnets and soothing babies now.”

I gaped. Sven had always admired Anouk—often to the point that I wondered if he’d rather be with her than with me. His opinion had taken quite a turn now that she’d married.

I couldn’t see anyone from his camp through the trees. “Did you say other Talented live here?”

“A few. Most are hopeful to gain Talents someday. And then there are some with . . . special powers.”

The way he said those last two words sent chills along my arms. “Banes?”

His mouth opened in a pleasantly surprised smile. “You know about Banes?”

“I’ve recently encountered someone with one. You’re comfortable having these people in your camp?”

“There’s nothing wrong with them!”

“Banes destroy. They cause harm.” I pictured Coralythe’s transformation once she started speaking her curse upon me. Powerful. Terrifying.

“Banes are a helpful tool against the king. Those with Banes are more warrior-like than the Talented.”

I still had a lot to learn about Banes and Talents. I hadn’t even been to the Well yet, so I bit back any further argument with Sven. He knew things I didn’t. He knew the future. “What happens if King Mattias rejects your petition?”

“I lead these people to the Well . . . and we destroy the Trials.”

He was going to the Well. One way or another, I’d get there. At the very least I could stay in his camp until they traveled to the Well—either in rebellion against King Mattias or under the freedom of new laws I doubted the king would agree to.

There was no telling how long any of this would take. I wasn’t sure I could last that long. “You really think you can destroy the Trials?”

Sven lowered himself to his knees and took my cold hands in his warm ones. “I have much hope, now that you’re here.”

“I’m just one more person . . .” My voice faded as his meaning sank in. I went stiff as an ice shard.

He kissed my palms. “You never told me if your wishes had a limit. Is it every tear or only certain ones?”

I yanked my hands away.

“Myrthe, surely you must see how important our cause is. Are you not for it?”

“You want wishes from me.” Like Oma.

“Of course I do! For the people! To allow everyone to seek a Talent. To deny them that opportunity is to be in league with the Murder King. Don’t you see, Myrthe? You would be the people’s savior. I wonder if that is your purpose—why you were chosen as the Wishtress in the first place.”

“Chosen?” I scoffed. “By whom?”

“By the Well. The power inside the Well. I don’t think you’re Wishtress merely by happenstance.”