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Any attempt to sneak him into the castle would simply draw too much attention.

“I will be in the castle for hours at most,” I said. “By now, the guards would have told Sabium of the fire at the market. You said youhave found a merchant who has agreed to our alternative series of events.”

And still, my heart thundered at the thought of all that could go wrong. When I’d boarded that ship with Nelia, I had never imagined I would return to Sabium’s castle.

He sighed. “Yes. In return for a better life. But I don’t need to tell you this is a huge risk. If you would wait a few days, I could speak with my mother and ask what she sees.”

I shook my head. The risk was great, yes. But the grimoire… The grimoire would change everything.

“A few days will be too long. Questions would be asked about my injuries and why the castle wasn’t notified. My understanding is that removing this so-called grimoire from Sabium’s possession could be the blow needed to end this war. Unless you misspoke?”

“No.” Silence stretched between us, and his frown deepened. Did he suspect I wanted the grimoire for myself? If so, he would do whatever it took to make sure that didn’t happen.

I let my gaze drop to the ground. “It’s not just a case of revenge. It’s…it’s for Nelia. She gave her life for me. For us. She would want the bloodshed to end. If we’d known such a grimoire existed, both of us would have worked to find it long before now.”

I kept my voice free of blame. But when I lifted my eyes, I caught the guilt and grief in Pelysian’s eyes.

Yes. Feel that guilt. Perhaps if we had known just how valuable Sabium’s little book was, neither of us would have gone to that mine. We would have focusedour attention on finding that book, and Nelia would still be alive.

I let Pelysian drown in his guilt for a long moment, enjoying the way his eyes darkened.

“These are called consequences, Your Majesty.”That was what he’d said when Nelia died.

Now, he could suffer theconsequencesof keeping important information from me. Hopefully, he would learn from such a difficult lesson.

According to our spies, Sabium would have guests for dinner. Important guests. Our spies hadn’t been able to tell us exactly who those guests were, but the servants were busy arranging for a formal dinner. Which would buy me time.

Even Sabium wouldn’t slice my throat between courses. Not in public.

Things were different now. No longer did I need to play nice with Sabium to stay alive. He’d taken my dignity, my freedom, myson. And now, I would take that grimoire from him and wield its dark power myself.

If everything went according to plan, I wouldn’t need help to escape the castle. Sabium would be the one screaming as he bled his life away.

“In that case, may the gods be with you.” Pelysian nodded at me. His movements were stiff. Since the moment Nelia had died, he’d spoken only when necessary, barely meeting my gaze—unless he was arguing about my choice to return to the castle.

As if her death were my fault, when I’dtoldher to leave.

I didn’t bother with goodbyes, simply turned andstalked toward the closest guard. From there, everything went as planned.

The guard was ecstatic to be the one who found Sabium’s missing queen. Of course, my husband didn’t bother visiting my rooms himself when I returned to the castle, but that was to be expected. And it was most definitely preferred.

I spent several long minutes walking those rooms. The rooms I’d been so sure I wouldn’t see again.

Pelysian had described the grimoire in detail. And I remembered seeing it that day Sabium took the mirror. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to hide it in his private library or in the hidden chamber beneath his rooms—the one he likely thought remained a secret. He wouldn’t keep it in his rooms either.

The hybrid heir had used Madinia to destroy the castle sanctuary, and it was currently being rebuilt. So it wouldn’t be hidden there.

No, there were three places it was likely to be. In the royal treasury, within the royal crypt, or on Sabium’s person.

If it was the last option…

No. He would be foolish to keep it with him throughout the day when anyone could see it and become curious. If he really did refuse to allow it out of his sight…

I would have to accept the inevitable. But I had to try. I could almost feel the immense power and knowledge of the grimoire calling to me.

After a long bath, I allowed one of the maids to help me dress, noting the cool, silky feel of the silk, the plush sensation of velvet. Just one day in the clothes ofthe poor and I suddenly had a new appreciation for my own clothes. I waved her away, stomach churning as I considered my first move.

The crypt would be the easiest to visit. So I started there.