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Jaws dropped, and hands flew to cover mouths. Taly could see it on Ivain’s face—that wasn’t public knowledge. Yet another fire he would need to put out come morning.

“But no matter the reason, I’m happy to say, nay, relieved that you succeeded despite them. Your grace.” Kalahad met Skye’s gaze down the table. “I sincerely hope you will not allow this to become a rift between our two great Houses.”

Beneath the performance of contrition, Kalahad was maneuvering. Ghislain could weather a war. Arylaan, however, was small, consisting primarily of the Dawn Court and those wealthy enough to live near it.

The room held its breath as Skye considered. He knew exactly how long to wait for maximum dramatic effect before venturing into rudeness, perhaps hostility… He chose to wait a moment longer. “Your apology is duly noted.” He left it at that.

A ripple moved through the room. The nobles in attendance exchanged discreet glances, some catching on immediately to Kalahad’s thinly veiled attempt to extract a public statement of forgiveness. A few stifled smiles hid behind raised glasses, while others remained still, masking any reaction beneath layers of politeness.

Kalahad’s gaze locked onto Skye’s, who held it, neither blinking. Beneath their tight smiles, a current of hostility flickered between them.

Kalahad turned to Ivain next. “Lord Castaro, it is an honor to have you here, and I am deeply grateful for your presence despite the egregious transgression that has been committed to you by those under my command. I want to assure you that my commitment to our city’s welfare remains unwavering. The discovery of traitors within my own household is a grave matter, and one that I have taken to heart.”

Kalahad snapped his fingers. A curtain through which butlers and other serving staff had been streaming all night parted. “Rest assured, I have spared no effort in assisting with the investigation. We are united in our pursuit of truth and justice. In these trying times, it is our collective strength and unity that will see us through. Your guidance, Lord Castaro, is a candle in the dark, and I am committed to supporting you in every way possible.”

Six butlers in black suits, white ties, and white gloves marched single file from behind the curtain, each carrying a silver tray covered with a white cloth. They assembled in a line behind Kalahad as he announced, “The laws in Arylaan are resolute in their delineation of treason, and as the highest-ranking member of its presiding family present on Tempris, the heavy burden of justice has fallen to me. It is with a somber heart that I must act, butact I shall. Justice has been served!”

With a flourish, he removed the first cloth. Gasps and cries of shock rang out.

“Let this be a warning to all who would dare betray our trust.” Kalahad’s voice thundered through the room as one by one, he revealed each horror in turn: six heads with six sets of dead eyes that stared vacant and fixed upon the audience.

“These were the individuals who plotted against us, who sought to undermine our unity and our noble values.” Kalahad tossed the final cloth aside. “Their actions threatened the very fabric of our society, and they have paid the ultimate price for their treachery.”

Taly tried not to look, but she couldn’t stop herself. Tangled locks, matted with sweat and dirt, clung to lifeless faces. Their mouths gaped, and their cheeks were sunken, eyes forever frozen in fear. Instead of death, they smelled like whisperleaf. There were stalks of it arranged artfully on each platter.

She looked around. Where were the cries of outrage? The aversion? Wasn’t it the Fey’s nature to abhor the depravity of death?

Aimee’s lip curled in distaste, as though she’d smelled something foul. Sarina mostly looked perplexed.

Even Skye—there was no surprise on his face. Only resignation that turned to pity the moment his eyes found hers.

Ivain sat grim-faced and stoic. “It is a shame,” he said mildly. “My own investigation into the matter has yet to conclude, yet now I see you’ve executed all my prime suspects. I would’ve liked to interview them before you rid them of their ability to tell secrets.”

“Yes, I thought you might say that.” Kalahad’s hair gleamed as white as his teeth as he grinned. “Don’t worry. I saved one for you.”

Another snap of his fingers summoned another butler from beyond the curtain. This one dragged a man clad in long whiterobes behind him. His hands were tied. He had a white cloth sack over his head with the Yggdrasil—the official crest of House Arylaan—embroidered in gold thread over where his face would’ve been. His bare feet stumbled on the stairs of a dais meant for a band that had remained empty until now.

The crowd murmured. What exciting new spectacle had Kalahad arranged for their amusement and delight?

“He has, of course, already been interrogated. As were the others. I have the transcripts, but I understand if you feel the need to verify. Lord Emrys.” Kalahad extended a hand to Skye. “Rumor is you’re a prodigy beyond your years. As the injured party, the honor is rightfully yours.”

It was a subtle transition. A straightening of his shoulders, some tightening around his mouth, a series of minor shifts that nobody else would’ve noticed but Taly immediately recognized as Skye bracing himself.

She scanned the room. She saw the expressions of glee and anticipation, but there was something off about them, something unsettling.

Skye looked to Ivain, who nodded. Kalahad had brought this before the public, so that’s where they needed to settle it. He rose, buttoning his coat as he did, and strode with quiet confidence up the stairs of the dais as the room waited with bated breath.

The butler pulled away the hood as he approached. Long blonde hair spilled out. The man beneath was pale and sweaty, gagged. Bloodshot eyes opened ever wider as Skye found the proper placement of his fingers on the man’s brow.

Where his fingertips pressed, a violet luminescence began to radiate outward. The air stirred, charged with aether.

Taly heard whispers from the crowd. Things like‘Incredible’; or ‘I can feel the magic in the air... it’s like electricity,’and at least ten variations of‘I've heard rumorsabout his abilities but seeing it firsthand is something else entirely.’

Then there was her personal favorite,‘It’s like watching a god at work.’

That came from the original woman Skye had been seated beside before Jezebel took her place. She had since relocated to the far end of the table, where she watched Skye while fanning herself vigorously.

Mnemonic extraction was an advanced form of shadow magic, primarily utilized in the more covert domains of governmental affairs. Skye had never been able to stick to a specific lesson plan, and Ivain had never made him. He’d let his curiosity take him wherever it might lead, and that path wasn’t always linear. As a result, Skye possessed a wider breadth of knowledge than his age would imply, coupled with a mastery that was sufficiently adequate. Taly supposed she could see why some people might be impressed, even if he’d never taken any of his own notes.