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“Your Majesty, remember your lessons,” the older woman said, sounding weary, as if the subject of courtly etiquette had been often repeated between them.

“But it’s Jaren and Cal,” Issa said, almost whining. “They’re my friends.”

“A queen doesn’t have friends,” Silence said.

Issa tightened her grip on Caldon. “This queen does. Especially when they’re this handsome.”

Tipp snickered, and even Kiva had to cough to hide her laugh. She couldn’t fault the young queen’s taste.

Diverted by Tipp’s humor, Issa drew away from Caldon and took in the rest of their group. Her dark eyes inspected Tipp the longest, causing his cheeks to turn pink. “Who are you?” she asked.

Kiva wasn’t sure if the question was to all of them, or just to Tipp. He also seemed unsure, and turned helpless eyes to Jaren.

“You already know Naari,” the prince said, prompting Issa to wave cheerfully in the guard’s direction, “and beside her is Cresta Voss, Tipp Peridon, and Kiva Corentine.”

The queen’s head spun toward Kiva. “Corentine?As in —”

“She’s a friend,” Jaren said firmly.

Kiva ignored the feeling that came with his declaration, knowing he was just trying to keep her from being dragged away by the guards. As a close ally, Issa would be well aware of the rebel situation — and the bloodline spearheading the movement.

“How interesting,” Issa said quietly, looking at Kiva in a different way, no longer a vivacious child but instead a calculating queen, hinting at the woman she would one day become.

“Perhaps you would like to invite Prince Deverick and his companions to take a seat?” Lady Silence prompted her charge.

“Oh! Where are my manners?” Issa said, shoving Caldon and Jaren forward. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

There were only four armchairs in front of the desk, but neither Naari nor Cresta seemed inclined to sit, both remaining like silent sentinels as the others lowered themselves onto the plush material.

“You absolutelymustdine with me tonight,” Queen Issa said from behind her desk once more. “We’ll catch up properly then. But I have another meeting in a few minutes, so perhaps you’d like to share why you’ve come? It’s been weeks since we’ve heard anything from Evalon. Months, actually. I grew so concerned that I sent an envoy to check all was well — he’s due to return any day. But I guess I won’t need to hear his report now that you’re here. I’m so excited that —”

Lady Silence cleared her throat, and Issa’s face flushed when she realized she’d been babbling.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, before wincing. “Wait, I’m not meant to say sorry. Queens don’t apologize. But, uh, sorry.” She winced again, then sat up straighter and said, much more formally, “Please tell us why you’re here.”

Caldon looked as if he was struggling to hold back laughter, but Jaren managed to keep his composure, adopting a kind expression that immediately eased the young queen’s embarrassment. Kiva nearly sighed, seeing that look on his face.

“We won’t keep you from your meeting, and we’d be honored to dine with you tonight, thank you,” Jaren said, though his rigid posture had Kiva thinking he’d prefer not to. At least Issa hadn’t yet heard about the situation in Vallenia, sparing them from having to discuss the takeover. “As for why we’re here, I’m unsure if your father had the chance to tell you, but a long time ago, my ancestor entrusted something to yours for safekeeping, and now we’ve come to reclaim it.”

Unlike Jaren, Kiva hadn’t considered whether the premature deaths of Issa’s parents could have left her without knowledge of the ring, and she felt a sudden burst of anxiety when Issa turned to look at Silence in question.

But then the young queen shifted back to Jaren and asked, “Do you mean Sarana’s ring?”

Instant relief swept over Kiva, and she saw both Jaren and Caldon relax slightly, as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

“Yes,” Jaren answered, leaning forward in his seat. “Do you have it?”

Given the challenges that had come with the two previous rings, Kiva’s pulse sped up as she waited for the queen’s answer.

Issa looked at Silence again, biting her lip. The adviser’s face revealed nothing, but she nodded encouragingly to her ward.

“Isort ofhave it,” Issa said slowly.

Her uncertain expression made Kiva’s heart plummet.

Cresta spoke from behind them, her voice sharp. “What does that mean?”

“It’s just...” Issa scratched her nose and avoided their eyes. “My father said we were left with clear instructions about who could claim it. Instructions from Sarana herself, handed down with the ring.”