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‘Audra said that in order to create a powerful link between the three of us, we have to know one another, deeply. That our shared blood is only the beginning of a meaningful connection.’

‘That would have been great advice years ago, but how are we meant to build decades’ worth of sibling dynamics in a matter of weeks? Should I just hand over my fucking diary?’ Thea clicked her tongue in frustration, still bitter about the fact that Audra had been unable to find a way to transfer her power to her sisters when the time came.

Anya levelled her with a stare, her scar never failing to elevate her fierceness. ‘You could start with telling us about these supposed death notes.’

Thea stared at her. ‘How the fuck do you know about those?’

Anya and Wren exchanged another look, which only served to agitate Thea further.

‘Half the building heard you and Wilder yelling about them last night,’ Wren supplied with a shrug. ‘If you don’t want everyone in your business, maybe take it somewhere else next time. In fact, please take it somewhere else next time. The aftermath of that row is seared in my brain forever. I’m scarred for life.’

Anya made a garbled noise as she tried not to laugh.

‘You’re just jealous,’ Thea quipped. ‘Everyone wants a Warsword of their own.’

Anya did laugh that time. ‘Oh, I think Wren could have a Warsword if she wanted one.’

‘We’re not having this conversation,’ Wren said firmly.

‘But we can talk about my private matters as much as you want?’ Thea countered.

‘You forfeit the right to privacy the moment you fuck on the rebellion’s war table.’ Anya folded her arms over her chest and waited for Thea’s argument.

But Thea shrugged. ‘Fine.’

‘Tell us about the notes, then,’ Wren said, more gently this time.

Thea tugged her cloak tighter around her, feeling the press of her fate stone against her naked skin beneath all her layers. ‘I…’

To her surprise, her sisters waited patiently for her to form the words, somehow recognising that this wasn’t the moment to push, but the moment to let her speak at her own pace.

‘I wanted to leave him something for when I’m gone,’ she heard herself say. ‘We can pretend it doesn’t exist all we want —’ She motioned to the stone under her clothes. ‘But it doesn’t change the reality. Fate will come to claim me soon enough, and when it does, I wanted to leave something of me behind. I —’ Her voice cracked, but she forged on. ‘I wanted to say all the things I won’t get time to say. I wanted him to know…’

Mortified, Thea found tears tracking down her cheeks. She hadn’t spoken to anyone about this, not even Wilder himself, and she didn’t realise how much it had been eating away at her.

Wren’s arm came around her shoulders. ‘He knows, Thee. Believe me, that man knows.’

Clearly not one for offering physical comfort, Anya nodded at her side. ‘Fate is nothing to fear,’ she said quietly. ‘It comes for us all in the end.’

‘Doesn’t make it easier,’ Thea muttered.

‘No,’ Anya replied. ‘It doesn’t.’

Thea cleared her throat and shrugged Wren’s arm off her. ‘Well, that was me. Who’s next?’

‘Didn’t realise this was a tit-for-tat sort of situation.’ Anya pointed ahead. ‘Plus, we’re here.’

‘You’re not getting away with it that easily,’ Thea replied.

But sure enough, familiar buildings made of stone and timber stood before the trio, roofs heavy with snow. The streets beyond were narrow and winding. Wren was right: Thea had ridden through these parts with Wilder, Cal and Kipp on their way to the floating domes, wherein she’d given Wilder over as a prisoner to the rulers of the midrealms. The memory tasted bitter on her tongue now.

On foot, the sisters made their way into the village, and Thea realised how much it had changed since she’d last passed through. The shops and stalls spilling out into the streets were gone or boarded up. The aroma of meat roasting on spits, the laughter and music from the taverns – all gone. How long had it been since she’d watched that quartet of performers juggling flaming torches?

‘What happened to this place?’ she breathed.

‘Is it so different to what it was?’ Wren asked.

‘Yes,’ Anya and Thea replied in unison.