I flinch at her words. Zev’s knuckles flare white. My chin dips in a hesitant nod.
“Hmm,” Tairna muses. “It’s not ideal. But not insurmountable. Once your people learn it was Tormik that murdered Meerah”—I flinch again, and Zev grits his teeth—“they’ll support you.” Tairna taps her chin, deep in thought. She sits straighter in her chair, studying us with steely resolve. “The plan remains unchanged. You rule Arbinj and Tundrayn.”
I worry my lower lip. Iwantto trust her, this woman who says my mother’s name with such tenderness. Iwantto believe she trusts me with power because of my stance on nonwielders. But how much of that power does she want for herself?
“Do you expect me to be your puppet?”
“Of course not. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be left unchecked. We’ll install oversight councils in both kingdoms. I’ll serve on your council in Arbinj, along with my advisers. But I have no doubt you’ll be honorable,goodmonarchs. Sauzon speaks so highly of you, Mayah.”
“You know Sauzon?” I ask in surprise.
She nods. “I have spies in both palaces. Sauzon is one of them.”
Zev stiffens, tilting his head. Tairna’s eyes flicker as she glances toward him, dipping her chin a hair’s breadth. They seem to be having a silent conversation, and I don’t like being on the outside.
“Sauzon is a shield,” Tairna finally says aloud, gaze still locked with her son’s.
“A shield?” I repeat, brows furrowed.
“It’s a unique wielding capability,” she explains. “We’ve only recently learned of it. They are impervious to the effects of heart- and truthwielders. Most shields are assumed to be nonwielders their entire lives. We only learned of them last year. There was a new recruit—she was hysterical after enduring severe trauma. One of our heartwielders tried to calm her, but his power wouldn’t work. After that, we began testing everyone.”
My mind reels with this new information—with how much knowledge the Rebellion has gleaned, how far-reaching their plans are. How ready they are to change the realm.
Tairna’s gaze finds mine again. “As I said, Mayah, I have no doubt you’d be an incredible queen. I want someone who cares for both wielders and nonwielders alike. A better world forallof us.”
“But how can you trust us so quickly?”
“I told you I’ve had spies in both Tundrayn and Arbinj. I know you’ve been fighting for nonwielders for years. And from what Sauzon tells me, I know you’re a kind, good person.” She glancesat Zev, giving him a faint smile. “And I already know my son’s heart.”
I mull over her words. “What do you think, Zev?” I ask softly. “You don’t want to rule.” I don’t mention the nonexistent state of our marriage. My intuition tells me that Zev doesn’t want his mother to know of our … marital troubles.
“Zev…” Tairna repeats, a wistful smile on her lips. “No one’s called you that since—”
“Lev.” The name tears from my husband’s throat like a curse.
“Yes,” she murmurs. “I was very sorry to hear of his death.”
“Were you?” Zev snaps, leaning forward. “Did you also hear of my father’s reaction?”
The temperature in the room drops several degrees. The air thickens—like it’s waiting for lightning. The blood drains from Tairna’s stricken face. She shakes her head.
“He said Lev must’ve been a worthless wielder if he managed to get himselffrozen.” His voice cracks. “Wouldn’t let me attend his funeral. Couldn’t risk the kingdom seeing their commander weep like a pathetic girl.” His fists clench around the armrests until the wood groans, and I know, if not for his iron cuffs, there would be a storm gathering in this very room. “He mocked Lev in every council meeting for two months, calling himfrozen fucking dirt, until I could get through without showing any emotion.”
Twin tears slide down Tairna’s cheeks. Too slow. Too late.
“I’m so sor—”
“Spare me your useless apologies.” His voice is cold. Empty. “You’ve done a great job with the Rebellion. Well fucking done, Tairna.” She flinches. He leans farther across the table, a vein throbbing in his forehead. “Tell me, how did I fit into your grand plan if I hadn’t married Mayah and fallen into your lap along with her? Were you planning to kill me, too?”
“Vayru, please, of course not! I-I am truly sorry for what you’ve endured. Without me there to support you. But Varad’s cruelty is exactly why we need to—”
Zev slams both his fists against the worn surface of the table, his iron cuffs clacking against the wood. Tairna and I both jump at the sudden sound. His chair nearly topples backward as he shoots up, thundering toward the door.
Torn, I glance back at Tairna—still seated, still crying. My questions about Mama will have to wait. I rise and follow the man who might never let me in again.
Chapter Seventy-Three
Thenarrowcorridorsseemeven more cramped beneath the weight of Zev’s rage as we return to our room. We’re nearly there, when a door in the hallway flings open. Sura leans out, wearing a deep, burgundy dress and her lopsided smile.
