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She turned at my approach, and she allowed me to take her arm and lead her into the manor. Laurent brought up the rear as I ducked into a small solar with a mullioned window that overlooked the lawn.

Given rounded on Laurent as soon as I shut the door. “I’m coming with you.”

“No,” Laurent said. He folded his arms. “I won’t hear of it.”

“You can’t stop me.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Did you not see what I did to Lar Guna?”

“You swore a blood vow to never hurt me in anger.”

He drew a breath. Then he scowled. “A battle is no place for a woman. Entering the city will be dangerous.”

She flung her cloak aside and gripped the hilt of Avenor’s sword. She stepped toward Laurent, her voice low and determined in the quiet room. “Women can do dangerous things.”

They stared at each other, the air taut between them.

Laurent looked at me. “What do you think?”

Given bristled. “It doesn’t matter what Varick thinks. I’m going.” As arguments formed in Laurent’s eyes, she closed the rest of the space between them and grasped his arm. Her blue eyes were wide and clear as she looked up at him. “Less than an hour ago, you said that we go together. You, Varick, and me. The prophecy brought the three of us together, but…” She looked at me, and her eyes softened before she turned back to Laurent. “Even if the prophecy no longer mattered, I’d still want to be right where I am now. With the two of you. Both of you. But we move forward as equals. I’m already outnumbered by you two. Prove to me that you trust my judgment. Allow me to take my own risks and make my own decisions. I won’t break, Laurent, but if you insist on treating me like glass, you’ll break my spirit.” She waited a beat, then added, “And you’ll make me angry.”

Laurent sighed. The post in his ear caught the light as he bent and kissed her forehead. “I can’t count on you to obey my orders anymore, can I, princess?”

She smiled at him as he drew back. “Only the ones I agree with.”

Humor gleamed in his eyes as he looked at me. “Well, that’s not so bad.”

“What’s your plan for taking Lar Katerin?” I asked.

The humor fled. “I don’t need to take the city. I just need to reach the Sanctum.”

Understanding dawned. “You plan to petition the gods.”

“It’s the only thing I can think of.” Laurent hesitated. “I’m sorry for using a bly’ad on you. I wasn’t sure how deep Lar Guna’s influence ran. If he’d won the army to his side—”

“He didn’t,” I said bluntly. “And he won’t.” I glanced at Given. “I’ve bled alongside every knight captain under my command. When the male next to you is willing to step into the path of a sword to save your life, you don’t give a fuck what he does in bed.”

Laurent looked toward the window. A chill rolled off him as his gaze landed on Lar Guna. “If only everyone saw things that way.” He turned back to me, his silver irises several shades lighter. “Can your knights from the Wastes get me to the Sanctum?”

“Yes, Your Grace. It would be better if we weren’t going in blind, but I hesitate to send scouts ahead. We have the element of surprise on our side, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

Given spoke up. “I could farsee.”

I shook my head. “Not a good idea, halfling.” As her brow furrowed, I brushed a knuckle under her chin. “Midian connected with you today. You’ve made it clear you make your own decisions, but I’d rather not risk it.”

Slowly, her forehead smoothed out. Then she nodded. “All right. I agree.”

“That was easy,” Laurent murmured.

She gave him a look. “Don’t get used to it.”

He smiled. “Ah princess, I wouldn’t dream of it.”

* * *

The first skirmish happened on the outskirts of the city.

The Sithistrans were ready for us, but they had spread themselves thin guarding the city from all sides. We had the greater numbers. Given and the thrall Mira had also come up with the ingenious idea of wrapping us in bandages. The cloth couldn’t shield everything, but it bought us time—and gave us the protection we needed to form a flying wedge and smash through the Sithistrans’ line.