Page 99 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

My jaw nearly hit the floor. “How long have you been in there?”

“A few hours.” She grinned, completely unapologetic. “Had to sneak in before your crew got up. Gotta say, communal changing isn’t so bad. Jax and Tae have some pretty nice assets.”

I groaned. “I willnotbe telling my squad my sister has been spying on them.”

“That’s probably for the best.” She grinned like she knew I’d struggle to unsee that mental image.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice lowering.

Her smile faltered, shifting to something more serious. “Did you get into the vault?”

“Yes, but…” I hesitated. I hadn’t told anyone about the strange letters I found—correspondence between the castle and the outer kingdoms. Something about them unsettled me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. “I didn’t find anything that screamstraitor.Just a bunch of letters about supply lines and troop movements.”

“You’re sure?” Solei’s eyes narrowed.

I swallowed hard. “Positive.”

“Fine. Because Cyran has a new target for you.”

My blood turned cold. “What?”

“The king’s private chambers.”

I grabbed her arm. “Is he insane?” My voice was barely a whisper, but the panic behind it was real. “The vault was badenough—that rune combination was nearly impossible. If they change it now that I’ve broken in, I won’t get back in.”

“Forget the vault.” Solei shook her head. “Cyran thinks it’s too public now. Too many nobles have access to it. But the king’s quarters? Onlyoneperson gets in and out of there freely.”

“EvenIcan’t break into that part of the castle.” My voice dropped lower.

“Who said anything about breaking in?” Solei arched an eyebrow. “I want you to get invited in.”

I blinked. “How?”

“That’s your job. Figure it out.”

My mind was spinning. This was impossible.Cyran’simpossible.

The silence stretched until I finally whispered, “How is everybody?”

Solei flicked her braid back over her shoulder. “The same. Nothing changes in the Order.”

That wasn’t comforting. I nodded anyway. “We should go.”

Solei slipped through the door first, disappearing down the hall. I waited a few heartbeats before opening the door.

Eilvin stumbled back a step, blinking in surprise. His hair was still damp from whatever pitiful excuse of a wash he’d managed, and his tunic was half-laced.

“Where are you rushing off to?” he asked, his tone suspicious.

I forced a smile and shrugged. “Breakfast. Same as you.”

His gaze slid past me down the hallway. “Who were you talking to?”

My heart skipped a beat. “Myself.” I gestured vaguely toward my room. “Trying to figure out if I have enough clean clothes to survive the next few days.”

Eilvin didn’t look convinced. His eyes narrowed. “Sounded like two voices.”

I snorted and shoved past him. “You are welcome to look.”