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“The man I saved helped me—Ollie. I’ll introduce you.”

“He’s here? What if he’s in on it?”

“You don’t think I considered it?” Tarley snapped at him. “Don’t you trust me?”

In on it? Lachlan’s face bunched, then relaxed. He hated that she’d thought it but understood. He’d been a stranger then, no one to her other than a representation of the kind of person able to hurt her.

“This isn’t about trust. Mother–”

“She can’t know, Tai. She’ll never let me back out.”

“I don’t want any of my sisters to die,” Mattias said in a low voice; Lachlan had to strain to hear his words. “Or be carted off because of some stupid law. And now–”

“And now what?”

Mattias looked behind him, grabbed hold of Tarley’s arm, and walked her deeper into the stable so they were unseen beneath the loft. “Something’s off between Mother and Auri,” Mattias whispered. “They went out late a few nights ago.”

“On a call?”

“I don’t think so. When does Mother take Auri on calls?”

“Never.”

“Exactly. Jessamine and Brinna said Auri was acting strangely the day before. Then–”

“What?”

“They left. That’s when they found the Royal caravan.”

“The Queen’s here?”

“Attacked, Tar. Burned out. No survivors. Auri said the bodies were unidentifiable, except for a single soldier wearing Jast armor.”

“Jast armor? Only one?”

Lachlan straightened, frowning. That couldn’t be right.

“And the queen?” Tarley asked.

“Thought she’d been among the dead, but she’s here.”

“What?” Tarley nearly shouted it.

Mattias hushed her. “Showed up the night before last. The guard died getting her here, and she hasn’t woken up yet. Mother and Jessamine have been with her nonstop.”

“Stars, Tai. This is bad.”

“You see?”

Silence stretched between them as Lachlan reeled at the information. It didn’t make any sense. Jast wouldn’t have attacked the queen. He was sure it hadn’t been the queen’s order to attack him. Who was behind the assassination attempts?

When he heard them move, Lachlan stepped away from the railing and waited for Tarley and her brother to climb into the loft. His assessment of Mattias was correct, clearly young and untested, but by the look Lachlan was getting, very protective of his sister.

“This is Ollie,” Tarley said, then turned and faced Lachlan. She didn’t meet his gaze. “This is my brother Mattias.”

Lachlan uncrossed his arms. “Hello.”

Mattias grunted.