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Skye grimaced. “You’re right. I did say that.” And, to his credit, he had tried. But just like every night before, he couldn’t bring himself to go back to a room and a bed that still smelled likeher. Taly. His friend and the woman that always seemed to be leaving him behind.

“Skylen,” Eula said, and he had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. He knew that tone. All the women in his life had somehow masteredthattone. “We have a long day ahead of us, and you’re our commander. We need you at your best.”

It wouldn’t matter,Skye almost said, but thankfully didn’t. Eula was just doing her job, trying to account for the variables they could control. And if she wanted to believe that a few hours of tossing and turning might make any damn difference, he saw no harm in letting her. The journey to Ryme would be long and dangerous, and they weren’t ready. But the longer they stayed, the more they opened themselves up to further sabotage, maybe even another attack.

By now, they were both tired of building funeral pyres, each one larger than the last.

“I’m fine,” he said.

“No, you’re not,” Eula immediately replied. “You’re thinking about Taly. You’re wondering if you did the right thing.”

Skye’s jaw clenched, and he leaned forward, watching as the first of the wagons began rolling out of the gates. He’d told Eula the same thing he’d told all the others—that he had sent Taly to find the relay. It was a lie, of course. But nobody had questioned him. Not to his face, at least.

“It might have been a mistake,” Eula said after a moment, misinterpreting the guilt in his expression. “But I believe in Taly. She’s smart, tougher than anyone gives her credit for, and she’s good with a gun. I’d bet good coin she’s already found her way to Ryme, and when she finds out how much you’ve been worrying, she’ll laugh herself silly.”

Skye attempted a smile. He hoped, but he knew she wasn’t going to be there. He knew because she wasn’t really his scout. She wasn’t heading for the relay. She had left him behind, lied to him about why, and all the evidence that had come out since then… Kato had discovered spells inscribed on her arm, a web of shadow magic hidden beneath a glamour so complex, it was nearly undetectable. And while he didn’t know the substance of those spells, there were so many terrible things a shadow mage could do to another person. Ways to take away their free will, to make them act against their family and friends. To erase the memories of those trespasses.

Taly was working with the enemy. He truly believed that, as much as he believed that she had been forced into the role unwillingly. And while that distinction might not matter to the people who had lost their homes, their families, demanding that blood be repaid with blood—it did to him. Which is why he had lied for her. Protected her. And once they made it to Ryme, once he delivered these people to safety, he would be free to go find her—and bring her back kicking and screaming if that’s what it took.

“As for your brother,” Eula went on, “he’s still convinced Taly is a traitor.”

“Still?” Skye asked. He had done everything he could to assuage his brother’s concerns. He had told so many lies.

Eula nodded. “Yes. I’ve been told he’s been questioning the ensigns, and even though I don’t think it was his intent, rumors are starting to spread. About you. And Taly.” She gave him a meaningful look.

Skye swallowed, turning back to the market square down below. “I see.”

“Yes,” Eula sighed, frowning as she followed his gaze. The first of the wagons were being wheeled out of the compound gates, only half loaded.

Skye said, “Rumors have brought down entire households, and we can’t afford to be divided right now. Is this going to become an issue?”

Eula shook her head. “Surprisingly, no. I think it may have actually increased your popularity among the ensigns. Taly is a beautiful human, and you’re a Highborn noble—they think it’s one of those cheap coppershop romance novels, and for now, I don’t see any problem giving them something better to talk about than the army of corpses trying to beat down our door. Your brother, however…”

“You think there’s a problem?”

“Yes… No… Maybe?” Another sigh. “Kato—he means well, but there’s too much anger there. Too much misguided loyalty. He’s convinced himself that Taly is a threat to this island and this organization, and I’m not sure what it’s going to take to change his mind. I’m afraid that if he keeps poking at this issue, he might do some real damage. Something more severe than a bit of gossip.”

Skye pressed his lips together. Kato’s suspicions were valid, and a part of him respected his older brother’s attempts to do what he thought was right. It was honorable, if inconvenient.

Eula placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’re going to get through this,” she said, though Skye couldn’t be certain if it was for his benefit or hers. “Let’s get these people back to Ryme, and then,once we’re safe, once we find Marquess Castaro and start trying to sort through this mess, I’m going to help you find your girl. Even if she didn’t make it to the relay, she’s still a damned hero for trying.”

Skye snorted, leaning against the parapet wall as he watched Eula make her way down the walkway, towards the stairs. “Taly’s notmyanything,” he called out, “and I’m pretty sure she would skin you if she ever heard you refer to her as belonging to anyone for any reason.”

Eula gripped the staircase railing, smiling over her shoulder. “Maybe,” she said. “But I have a feeling that, in this case, she might not mind.” That smile widened in a way that made Skye distinctly uncomfortable. “Just a bit of friendly advice—the next time the two of you decide to go at it between the library stacks, be a little quieter. That’s how rumors get started.”

Skye cleared his throat, resisting the urge to tug at his collar when he felt his neck start to flush. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, not bothering to come up with a lie. He was done trying to pretend he wasn’t in love with his best friend—the girl he had known since she was six and he was ten.

A clamor rang out from inside the keep, followed by a shout. They both looked towards the sound of the commotion.

Skye asked, “Is that—”

“Yup.” Eula sounded tired. It was the Riette sisters—the final two holdouts of the Gate Watcher leadership still arguing to stay at the compound. The youngest was becoming increasingly hysterical, demanding to speak with the“damned person in charge.”

That was Skye, and he felt a stark sense of relief when Eula gave a weary shake of her head and said, “I’ll take care of it. You just make sure you’re ready for today. Take whatever time you need, do whatever you need to do. I know it’s been hard, especially with Taly not here and Kato trying to stir up trouble. I know you weren’t expecting to become a leader so soon. But you stepped up when we needed you, Skye. And you’ve done well. As well as anyone could’ve done with the same shit situation. Leaving is the right decision. Don’t let anyone make you doubt that.”

“Thank you,” Skye said, and meant it.

Even if it did little to stop him from doubting.