“Had to fucking steal my thunder, eh?” Rian’s voice snaps me out of my modicum of happiness.
It’s just me and him left on this side of the gate. I snort and punch him lightly in the shoulder. “Couldn’t let it be said that Rian Valvere had better aim than Wolf Bowborn. I have a reputation to uphold.”
Rian rolls his eyes, but there’s a touch of amusement there. This exchange…it feels so familiar it aches.Like old times.Sparring and riling each other up. Before Sabine came into my life, these moments with Rian were the only thing that gave me a single damn light in the darkness.
“So,” he says, holding up his bound hands. “Did I earn myself my freedom?”
“Hell no,” I say, hard and fast, clapping a hand on his shoulder and turning him back toward the castle, where his attic cell awaits. “But you did earn yourself that whisky.”
As I shove him forward, I can’t miss his chuckle—like old times.
Chapter 23
Sabine
Ipace back and forth in Hekkelveld Castle’s library—housed on the second floor, with a balcony overlooking the city like a bird’s perch. I clutch Woudix’s ancient book to my chest with an iron grip.
It’s been two days since Woudix came. Two days since I quietly went to visit Rian in the Coffin, to give him back his bone dice in exchange for a strategy that will win me the public’s favor.
One day since Rian helped Basten end the siege on our city.
And it vexes me—how useful he’s been to both of us.How much we’ve needed him.
The door groans open, and I spin around, holding the book tighter.
Basten steps in, dressed in a fresh black linen shirt with his antler symbol across the shoulders, his hair pulled back in a loose knot at his nape, and my body softens.
“Basten, thanks for coming.” I step forward, a million words poised on my lips. Because of the siege’s end, we’ve barely seen each other outside of a few glances in our comings and goings. He’s been out in the streets, hour after hour, feeding the hungry,carting the injured to the castle infirmary, helping the royal army plan the arduous task of repairing the city. While I’ve been poring over Woudix’s book, transfixed by every page. “I’m so glad you’re here, I?—”
A step behind him, Kendan strides into the room, followed by Suri, followed by Matron White.
My words cut off, strangled.
Other than the bandages covering the burn marks on her face and arms, she looks exactly like the woman who tormented me for twelve years, down to that damn self-righteous smirk.
Instantly, I go cold from my ears to my toes. It’s followed by a wash of anger.
“What isshedoing here?” I spin on Basten, my cheeks burning red, chest heaving so hard I can barely catch a breath.
Kendan sets a rolled map on the library table, clearing his throat as though that could break the stalemate between the Matron and me. “You called for all the leaders of the opposition.”
“I’m not certain you understand who exactly I’mopposedto,” I say between clenched teeth.
“Goddess,” Matron White interjects, and I can’t help but bristle at the note of sarcasm in her tone, “May I note that, thanks to my priests’ efforts, the city’s opinion of you has drastically changed. Why, no one even remembers a time you were labeled a traitor. They blame Rian Valvere for spreading those slanderous rumors and praise you as the Winged Lady of legend, the Goddess of Nature, here to save our kingdom. Why, just this morning, every Red Church in the city held a candlelight vigil for your salvation.”
Gods—how this woman’s face irritates me. The only small amount of satisfaction I get is knowing those burn marks will disfigure her forever, and every time she looks in a mirror, she’ll think of me.
She goes on to say, “I am only here as a mouthpiece for the Red Church; a messenger of devotion, here to report on the church’s ample efforts to aid in the city’s clean up;surelyyou wish for us to continue our assistance to the hungry and needy?”
I stare daggers at her.
Basten folds his arms, looking no more pleased than me. He lets out a long exhale. “Sabine?”
“You don’t have to work directly with the Matron,” Suri suggests. “What if we ask her to leave for now, and I’ll be a go-between?”
I bite back bitter anger. “It’s fine. She can stay.”
Kendan taps the map, hoping to bring us back to the plan. “Queen Sabine, I’m glad you called this meeting. Now, if you’ll look at this map, you’ll see that the High Quarter and Varn Row sustained the most damage from the siege. We’re bringing in bricklayers from as far as Blackwater to help repair efforts. As far as the dissenters, I’m afraid at least two dozen sentinels fled, as well as one of the leaders of the Cold Coins. Folke is out now, leading a team to hunt them down, but progress is slow.”
