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“What did the letter say?” Eleanor asked.

“Something about Gloom’s expansion,” I answered. “She’s the one who gave Inarus the collar. Like Inarus, she was trying to stop Gloom’s expansion. She told Inarus to make more Shades if you didn’t become queen.”

Eleanor paled. “I hoped Gloom was mistaken…”

“Why?” Zayne pressed. “What did Gloom say?”

“Someone has most of the diamond shards, and they’re using them to force Gloom to expand. Without Inarus’s Shades, Gloom would have already spread farther south.”

“And now that the Shades are gone, Gloom will expand.” Zayne sighed. “But why? Who wants that?”

“To generate power,” Eleanor answered. “If Gloom is expanded, then something must balance her—Her expansion creates excess vitality. Presumably, this shard bearer is attempting to claim that raw power.”

“Then how are we going to make the isle inhabitable again? What about Scholar’s Island? Mer? Will they succumb to Gloom too?”

Eleanor toyed with the crystal skull. “Now that I’m queen, Gloom thinks I can help. If I commune with the throne’s power, meditating with Gloom… we could influence this.”

“Commune with Gloom? What will that cost you?”

“It’ll take most of my waking hours. Nearly every day.”

Zayne’s brows furrowed. “You can’t do that. We need you as an active queen, not someone trapped in communion with Gloom.”

“Either I do this, or we make Shades again.”

“That’s not an option.”

There was an alternative. “Or we confront these shard bearers,” I said. “We can start with Calindra.”

“We”—Eleanor indicated Zayne—“need to stay with the throne. If you feel so inspired, make it your quest.”

He stiffened as his sister spoke for him.

Eleanor noticed it. “Zayne, I’ll need you here. I’m going to be vulnerable while communing with Gloom. My body needs protection.”

Zayne’s face blanked. The last time he had faced a choice between his twin and me, I had stolen the ashflower and run.

This time, I wouldn’t ask him to choose. “I think my part in this is done,” I rushed to say.

“But—” he objected.

“Zayne,” I continued. “You were willing to risk your life on this crazy mission to save your sister. We’ve only known each other a couple of days, and I know it feels like it’s been longer, but… I understand that you’ll want to stay here.”

He shook his head. “After what just happened? Your magic—that tether?”

“A tether?” I had sung without understanding, power streaming from me. I held my vigil in a haze.

He blinked. “You don’t feel it?”

“I…” What had I done? “I don’t know.”

Eleanor took command. “Zayne is staying with me. Brother, I don’t understand what has come over you. Why wouldn’t you stay with me? I need you.”

“She’s right,” I admitted. The words ripped through my heart. “This stronghold is vulnerable. It needs repair. In the meantime, Eleanor needs protection.”

“What about you?” Zayne asked me. “What are you going to do?”

The question surprised me, and I searched for the answer. Where would I go? I wanted to know what was happening in Mer. Rhett waited for me in Port Saundyrs.