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When she said nothing else, Graeson sighed. “What is it?”

Ellie shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Ellie.”

“It’s just . . .” Ellie released an exasperated sigh. She glanced at him, her hair flying in the wind with the movement. “After all ofthat, are you really surprised by everything that happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on!” Ellie shouted. “When did you become so daft, Gray?”

Graeson blinked, unsure how to respond.

Shaking her head, she continued, “The girl has practically been to the Beneath and back, experiencing one traumatic event after another. Of course, she would do something stupid, such as betray you! She barelyknewany of you! What did you expect her to do when you all kidnapped her?”

Graeson opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Ellie had a point.Did they genuinely expect Kalisandre to trust them after practically abducting her? None of them had viewed it that way. Graeson and the others had considered it more as a rescue mission. After all, what would one call abducting someone who was already kidnapped, even if there were good intentions involved? Especially when Kalisandre belonged in Pontia.

But that was not how Kalisandre had seen it.

They shouldn’t have been surprised. After all, they had tied her up.But he had thought—they hadallthought—that they were helping her. She needed to be seen as a captive if someone had seen her with them. It was for her protection. But even so, it might not have been the right approach (even if Graeson got some enjoyment from bickering with her about it).

Still, what other option did they have? Would Kalisandre have put her faith in a group of strangers? While that was what Graeson and the others had wanted to happen, they had been naive to believe it would happen how they wanted it to.

He looked at the river nearby. Through the blanket of duckweed covering the river’s surface, he could see a small turtle peep its head out of the cloudy, brown water. As the horses neared, it popped its head back beneath the surface, hiding from view.

“You’re right,” Graeson finally said.

Ellie gasped, a hand flying to her chest.

“What?” Graeson snapped.

“Youadmitting thatIam right?” Ellie looked over her shoulders. “Where’s my journal when I need it? I have to write this down, or no one will believe me!”

Ellie laughed. Then, the laughter died after a moment, and her expression turned somber. “So, why are you going after her if she betrayed you?”

Without revealing the whole truth, Graeson explained his and Fynn’s theory.

Once finished, he ran his hand through his hair. “I can’t sit by knowing she is not in control of her life. I am not foolish, Ellie. I know that there is a chance—a big chance, mind you—that Kalisandre will still not choose me even when I break whatever hold Domitius has on her.”

“But?”

Graeson released a heavy sigh. “But I’ve been where she is. I’ve fought for control over my life. Some days . . . some days I still feel that pull, as if I’m losing that fight. I want her to experience freedom. It’s what she deserves.” Graeson stared at the sky. Branches spread across it. Through the leaves, he could see the sun breaking through. “It’s what we all deserve.”

A moment of silence passed between them as they continued riding. The horses kept trotting forward at an even pace, their hooves smacking the ground. Behind them, the wheels of the carriages creaked with every rotation. Then, a hoard of birds flew out of the trees nearby, scattering across the sky.

“It’s a plan then.”

“What’s a plan?” Graeson asked.

“We destroy whatever hold Domitius has on your Kalisandre,” Ellie said.

Graeson looked back at Ellie. He was almost taken aback by what he saw—or rather, what he didn’t. There was no pitying look, no downcast gaze, no skepticism or hesitation painting her countenance. Just acceptance.

“You believe me?” Graeson asked.

“Gray, while you are stupid at times, your instincts are usually spot on.” Ellie turned to him, her gaze steady, firm. “I trust you.”