Page 185 of Sharpest Court

“Erik has put Daradon in a state of high alert,” she said. “He claims that Wielders have been gaining a new foothold since the attack on the palace, so he’s dispatched the Avanish naval forces to fortify the seas, while Parrian foot soldiers secure the borders between the provinces.”

My fists clenched as I imagined those soldiers marching through my town square, driving the citizens into their homes. Erik was closing a cage around the kingdom, tightening his control under the pretense of safety.

It meant he was growing angry with his failure. And it would make the next obstacle higher.

But I believed I knew how to climb it.

A glimmer of cream chiffon caught my eye from the corridor. With a parting squeeze of her shoulder, I left Valeria to be with her brother.

These hallways were blessedly quiet, unlike those in the west wing, where the refugees were temporarily being housed. I’d visited only once and had passed Zeke’s room on the way out. He’d still looked wrung-out and slightly numb, but he’d caught my eyes through the open doorway and nodded, something fragile in his gaze.

I’d returned his somber nod, feeling a new swell of pity for this young man who had been caught up in the schemes and secrets of those more powerful than himself. Hoping deeply that Zeke would find peace within Ansora, and within his own mind, I’d continued ahead.

Now I faced Perla, who stood before one of the dayglass windows, her hair outlined by the rainbow glow of sunset.

She’d stationed herself at the palace with us, sometimes sitting beside me as I watched over Keil, sometimes drifting among the councilmembers below, ever watchful. Goren had been set up in a room down the hall to recover from his broken ankle, and I once saw her hovering outside, chewing her lip, as though deciding whether to go in. In the end, she hadn’t entered. But she’d glanced over her shoulder, looking regretful as she’d left.

“This came for you,” she said now, holding an envelope addressed to me.

“Intercepting my letters?” I asked, my weariness adding an extra drawl to the sarcasm. “I didn’t take you for that kind of courtier.”

She gave a dry little smile. “The messenger thought I was your lady-in-waiting.”

I took the envelope, realized it was open, and raised a brow.

“My finger slipped,” she said.

My brow arched higher. “Through the seal?”

She exhaled a laugh, and I rolled my eyes, needing the sound of that laughter to return me from the dark atmosphere of Keil’s sickroom.

I read the letter slowly. This was a response to the query I’d sent to the imperial docks. Though it had come back favorable, my stomach made a nervous flip.

“I know what you’re doing,” Perla said.

“And I suppose you’re asking to do it with me?”

“No,” she said, her gaze determined. “I’m not asking.”

It was my turn to huff a little laugh. There was no way to convince her out of this, but still, I had to tell her: “You might never be able to return to the home you grew up in.”

“I know that. Erik took it from me the day his soldiers pounded on my door, and I’m not sure anything I do will truly bring it back. But I also know this.” She lifted her chin, and as the dayglass shimmered out of color behind her, revealing the glittering world beyond, she said, “I don’t just want to be there when he falls, Alissa. I want to help you push him.”

Black sheets rippled over the open walls of Rheya’s throne room. Only the ceiling remained uncovered to create a vast skylight, the stars twinkling behind the framework of the golden compass star.

I was gazing up, breathing in the cool evening air, when footsteps sounded from behind. I turned to find Lye leading Calytrix and Raff inside.

While Raff had one arm hooked around his wife’s shoulders, his eyes darting nervously around, Calytrix looked alight with wonder. Her twin buns tilted back as she took in the vaulted ceiling and smiled.

“Stop trying to map the exits, Raff.” Lye rolled his eyes. “You see the lack of walls? This whole room is an exit.”

Raff glared at him. “You invited us into the empress’s territory. What do you want me to do, burst into song?”

“Actually, the invitation was for your lovely wife.” Lye winked at Calytrix. “You’re more of a plus-one.”

Before Raff could snap a comeback, I said smoothly, “Thank you for coming. Did anyone approach you on the way in?”

Calytrix shook her head. “Nobody gave us a second glance.”