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Skye took a steadying breath, willing the anger to ebb out of him. He wouldn’t give his brother the reaction he so desperately wanted. Not here. Not in front of all these people.

“Tell me the truth, little brother,” Kato drawled, still twisting that knife deeper and deeper. “Taly was very pretty, but don’t throw away your honor just because some Shardless bitch let you get your cock wet.”

His anger snapped, and Skye saw red.

His body was already moving, already closing the distance—

A hand clamped down on his shoulder, a bone-shattering force that held him firmly in place.

“Stand down,” Eula snarled at Kato, flashing her teeth when Skye yanked himself out of her grip.

“Why?” Kato hissed. His hand began to drift towards the dagger at his waist. “Because he’s my commander, my future Duke? The heir to my household, so I should just fall in line like a good boy even when I know he’slying?”

Letting her aether flare, Eula lunged, punching Kato square in the nose. It was swift and brutal, and Kato staggered back. “Yes,” she barked. “For all those reasons and more. You might be a son of Ghislain, but right now, you’re under my command. And his.” A glance at Skye. “And you will not endanger this mission or these people with petty squabbles.”

Kato held up his hands. “I was just expressing some concerns—”

“Concerns that have already been dismissed.” Eula fixed him with a stare, thunder in her expression.

Kato, wisely, backed down.

“The scouts just came back,” Eula said, still not taking her eyes off Kato. “We’ve cleared the road ahead, and there are more potholes. Get to work.”

Kato gave a huff, wiping at the trickle of blood seeping from his nose. For a moment, it looked like he was going to say something.

But then that smile slipped back into place, just barely concealing that hidden edge lurking underneath. He gave a merry salute before disappearing into the crowd.

Skye turned to Eula, arching a brow.

She shrugged. “What? Just because you shouldn’t go around punching people doesn’t mean I can’t. I’m your Lt-Commander, and he’s my Marshal. I call that discipline.”

Skye’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. Or laugh. Couldn’t bring himself to. “Did anyone—”

“No one heard. At most, this will look like a disagreement between brothers, and considering that the two of you already have a reputation for animosity…” She shrugged. “Kato at least had the good sense not to go around flinging accusations with shadow mages in earshot.”

Except for Eula. He’d probably assumed she already knew.

“You don’t need to explain anything,” Eula said, sensing his thoughts. “I don’t know why Katowon’t let this be, but I’ve known you and Taly your entire lives. Every level of hell would freeze over before either of you would betray your island, your people, and especially, each other.”

Skye’s chest tightened to the point of pain. The blind trust, the faith… He had no words.

Eula looked to the front of the caravan, where the last group of scouts were emerging from the forest. Their faces were lined, their clothes wet and ragged—but they signaled the all-clear. It was safe to proceed to the canyon.

“Why don’t you go out with the next wave of scouts?” she suggested. “Stretch your legs, clear your head a bit. It’ll be good for you.”

It was tempting. He was starting to feel antsy. Claustrophobic. “Are you sure?”

A nod. “I can handle things here. You should go.”

Skye didn’t need to be told twice. He began weaving his way through the crowd, stopping briefly to grab a scrying communicator off one of the returning scouts. He hit the forest, passed through the wards—

And then he was running.

The world became a blur of color, but he channeled his aether, willing his legs to move faster, faster,faster.

We both know she’s dead.

The words still echoed.