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“I’m more resourceful than they gave me credit for.”

“Good.” He holds his head high. “Keep that spirit. But do it without getting into more trouble. I can’t keep coming to the academy with my life on the line like it is.”

My heart sinks at the realization that he’s more worried about his life than mine.

He creeps even closer, speaking even quieter. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Go back to land?”

His eyes flicker yellow. “Don’t even think about it. No, I need you to keep an ear out. You’re in the same school as the kids of the most influential people in Valora. Listen to what they’re saying. If you hear anything suspicious, let me know. You might be able to figure out who the mastermind behind this is easier than I can.”

I hesitate. Earwig is an obvious hater, and she did throw me under the bus with Middlebrooks. But she would make my life even worse here if she found out I told the king about this. On the other hand, my dad’s life is on the line.

“What?” Dad demands. “Do you know something?”

I swallow. “I do know one girl, but she’ll make my life miserable if I say anything.”

He inches closer. “Nobody will ever know. Ever.”

I take a deep breath. “Okay. Her name is Earwyn.”

“Last name?”

“I don’t know. She’s a fourth-year student in the Royal School. There aren’t any other Earwyns.”

His mouth forms a straight line. “It’ll be easy enough for me to find out what I need, and I assure you that it won’t come back to you.”

“Thank you.” Relief washes through me.

“Find out anything else you can. Ask dumb questions in your government class to make it look like you’re clueless. Given that we spent so many years on land, it’ll be believable. It’s a matter of life and death. Someone else in this academy has to know the truth, and that person is most likely in your school.”

“I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Perfect. But don’t call me. I don’t think the lines are secure. I’ll send my people to check on you. If any castle servants arrive to drop off gifts, give them updates.”

“Don’t send gifts!”

“You don’t want them?” He gives me a double-take.

“No! That’ll make kids jealous of me, and that’s the last thing I need. Send the servants under some other guise. Just nothing that will make me look worse.”

“I’ll think of something. But you’ll do that for me?”

“Of course, Dad.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

I’m never going to see land again at this rate.