“Allisander may believe he has power now, but he does not have the support you once did.”
My eyebrows go up. “So are you saying that you will join Consul Beeching? You will support my claim to the throne?”
“I will,” Roydan says.
Arella nods. “As will I.”
Despite the relief in my heart, their voices carry the weight of unspoken dread, of more to say, and I hold my breath.
“There is more you need to know,” Arella continues. “Allisanderstill has the means to continue poisoning the people. He can spread it through the water and weaken the populace again, claiming that perhaps someoneelseis now working against Kandala—either Consul Beeching, or me, or even you yourself, as retaliation for his actions. When he heard we were coming to speak with you, he threatened to release more poison immediately. He controls access to the cure, so he could weaken our defenses while fortifying his own.”
My fist is tight against the table. At my side, Quint is writing furiously.
“Allisander has also revealed that word has reached the palace that the lookouts at Port Karenin have spotted a ship in the ocean flying the Kandalan flag.”
Corrick.I gasp aloud. Quint snaps his head up.
Arella nods. “I’ve sent word to Sunkeep to verify the reports, but the ship will arrive before my runners will.”
My heart is pounding so hard in my chest. “How soon?”
“Within days. But Your Majesty, you must—”
“Days!” My brother is returning within days. My heart wants to explode with so many emotions. “You’ve known this since we sat down?” I demand.
“I have.” She lifts a placating hand. “His arrival will not be simple. Consul Sallister and Baron Pepperleaf have access to armed brigantines. They’re prepared to destroy the ship upon arrival unless you surrender to them at dawn tomorrow.”
Every muscle in my body ices over.
“Artis has ships,” says Jonas. “We can attempt to form a blockade across the Queen’s River—”
“And wage a cannon battle right here at the docks,” I say. “We’llkill half the people we just rescued.” I run a hand across my face. “And he’ll release his poison anyway.”
The room goes so still. So silent. I think of Violet springing out of that cellar to throw her arms around me.
“So I am to sacrifice myself or I am to sacrifice my brother,” I say quietly.
She nods.
It’s no choice at all really. Cory has been sacrificing himself for me for years. I know what I have to do.
“Tell him I’ll surrender,” I say.
The room erupts with protests. Jonas, my guards, even Arella and Roydan.
But not Quint. His eyes are dark and fixed on mine.
Because he knows. He knows I won’t be swayed from this.
He said it himself.
You love your brother so very,verymuch.
“Enough,” I say, and they fall silent. “Tell him.I will arrive at the palace at dawn. I will be alone. I want assurance that no brigantines will sail the river, and Jonas, I want your sailors patrolling twenty miles north and south of the docks to be sure of it. You tell Allisander that if we spotone single sail, I will not appear. Those aremyterms.”
Arella nods. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
I look at Jonas. “I want my brother to arrive safely, and I expect you to honor your alliance with me and continue it with him.”
