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She ran and dove into a tent, and Serali let out another of those laughing huffs.

I shook my head. What did Serali have against that woman?

"You've had your fun. Now, let's go grow some food for Kaiya."

The little dragon chirped and nodded, and then we were blinking once more — landing in the center of the sad patch of soil. I moved the poppin berry seeds to an empty spot near the other seeds and mounded up dirt around them.

"Well, hello little friends," I sang. "Let's see if I can help you out …"

Chapter 33

Kaiya

Iclasped my hands behind my back as Frexin strode into her sitting room — expression unreadable. Her hair, dress, and makeup were all a bright blue to match the vertical stripes on the wallpaper behind her.

That was a good sign, wasn't it? If she'd meant to kill people, she'd have worn red …

Tye came in a moment later, dark circles ringing his yellow eyes — those normally golden cheeks, pale and sunken.

Had he slept at all?

Frexin sank elegantly into a tall, gilded chair with red cushions while Tye stood at her side. His gaze was fixed on some spot behind me, expression entirely devoid of emotion. It felt almost as if he'd been replaced by a cold, stone statue …

He must have gotten more tattoos.

The door opened once more, and Korym andHolden filed in. Holden's smirk was pained as he limped across the room, but Korym's face was pure joy.

Did seeing me receive punishment really bring himsomuch joy? Or was he just happy to see anyone suffer?

Lady Frexin cleared her throat and gestured for me to sit in a slim wooden chair directly across from her. I dipped into a curtsey and did as she bid. The chair was hard, narrow, and slightly shorter than normal — likely an intentional move to keep her guests feeling uncomfortable …

"Lady Frexin," I started, keeping my eyes downcast. I'd rehearsed my statement a thousand times already that morning. "I'd like to explain —"

"Stop there." Frexin's voice was icy. "I've already heard what happened yesterday, Miss Maderoth."

I gripped my hands more tightly and forced my face not to betray my fear.

I'd known she might not give me a chance to share. But Ineededto find some way to get her to listen without making things worse.

"I understand," I said, voice carefully respectful. "But there's more to the story, my lady. Mage Holden and Agent Fordyth can vouch that I didn't do anything and —"

Frexin gave a harsh laugh, halting me mid-sentence. My mouth went dry as I tried to not react.

"Oh, don't give me that look," she snapped. "Even without Korym's statement or your terrible lying skills, Iwould have learned what really happened. Now keep quiet until I'm done."

I forced a nod.

This was it then. I was going to fail before I'd even begun.

I looked at Tye out of the corner of my eye, hoping for some kind of backup despite his words the night before. He'd been somewhat helpful on the mission. But he just stared at the wall, body rigid, jaw clenched.

Those damn tattoos …

"Sabotaging the deal with a rumor about Lord Westin having a contagious disease was very … inventive," Frexin continued, voice deceptively calm.

A chill went down my spine.

How did she know about that? Did another airship go out to Lady Valtru in the night?