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The queen’s eyebrow rose. “Is he now? And just whom have I murdered?”

“Siobhan.”

“That is an old rumor propagated by the Amaridians,” she responded coolly. “Edward knows it is not true.”

“Then he’s either been lying, or his opinions have changed.” In quick, terse terms, Ahnna explained to Alexandra everything that Edward had said in the throne room, the queen’s lip curling with disgust as she listened.

“I knew he hadn’t let it go,” Alexandra said between her teeth. “Knew in my heart that he still conspired with those ungodly menaces to the north. He would destroy our relationship with Ithicana, a God-fearing kingdom, all because of the hex that witch put upon his soul. And to what end? What is Cardiff compared to the bridge and its access to Maridrina and Valcotta? He would have us trade our steel for sealskin when we might trade it for rubies. Fool!”

“Can he be stopped?” Ahnna demanded.

Alexandra bit at her thumb as she paced the room. “Not easily.”

“So what do we do?”

“I suspect Edward means to reveal a deal with Cardiff tonight, which is why he does not want you there. Which means that you must be there.”

“What will that accomplish?”

“There will be outrage over what he has done, of that you can be sure. Your presence will remind the people of Ithicana. Of the old and secure alliance with a God-fearing nation. They’ll see an opportunity to undo Edward’s idiocy with a union between you and William. A king only has power if the people will it, Ahnna. Edward will not have the support of the people tonight, and you must capitalize on it.”

It wasn’t much of a plan, and seeming to understand that, Alexandra gripped Ahnna’s hands. “You are betrothed to marry William. No matter what Edward achieves, you will one day be queen and have the power to undo all that he has done. No matter the hurt in your heart over his deceptions, cling to the truth that Edward will not live forever.”

“How do we get her to the ball, Your Grace?” Hazel asked. “There are guards on the door. They might allow us to come and go, but if they see Lady Ahnna, they will surely interfere.”

“Georgie will be our ally in this, I think, for not only are his family’s lands near to Cardiff’s border, but they are also good and God-fearing people. Most of all, Edward’s actions will put Virginia at risk, and Georgie would die before seeing harm come to my daughter. That he came to me with your speculations speaks volumes of his feelings about the situation. It is no small thing to go against the orders of one’s king,” Alexandra said. “Hazel, get what you need, and we’ll move to my rooms to prepare. I’ll go speak to Georgie. Be ready to leave when I return.” Her eyes locked on Ahnna’s. “This is your moment, Ahnna. Your moment to live up to your mother’s aspirations for you to forever unify Harendell with the Bridge Kingdom. Do not disappoint.”

She turned and strode into the other room, the door clicking as she exited into the hallway beyond.

Ahnna had no idea how this would work, but she didn’t intend to face it wearing a dressing gown. Striding to the wardrobe, she wrenched it open, staring at the gowns hanging within. “I hate all of these.”

Silence stretched, then the maid said, “There’s another option. Wait but a moment.” Hazel disappeared into the other room, then returned with a box. “Lady Bronwyn brought the dress with her, and I’ve kept it hidden because with what I’d learned about your relationship with your queen, I thought you might have thrown it away. Which would have been a tragedy.”

For the first time in a long time, Ahnna didn’t tense at the mention of Lara. Didn’t feel emotion rising in her veins. As though in finally confessing the truth to James, she’d expunged that poison from her soul. “What dress?”

“Better to show you.”

Hazel opened the box, then handed Ahnna a piece of paper.

Ahnna,

Not all armor is made of steel.

Lara

She reread the note twice, looking for a code or hidden message, but there was nothing beyond the obvious. Setting aside the note, she nodded to Hazel, who reached into the trunk and lifted out a gown unlike anything Ahnna had ever seen. Setting it on the bed, Hazel retrieved a smaller box and handed it toher.

Inside glittered gold and emeralds and black diamonds. A crown Ahnna recognized as her mother’s—a gift from Valcotta decades past—along with matching earrings. But nestled among them was the necklace her father had given her mother. The necklace that Aren had given Lara. And that Lara, for a second time, was trying to give to her. There was another note in the box, and it said, Once, when I was lost, this helped me find my way. May it do the same for you.

Hazel had been right to hide this from her, because if Ahnna had seen it when she’d first arrived, she would have shipped it back on the next riverboat. But so much had changed. “It’s perfect.”

Alexandra reappeared. “Georgie will distract his men. Put on a hooded cloak. All of this is for nothing if Edward realizes what we are up to.”