“What does, then? Our united resistance against the Court of Salt?”
“You don’t know what you’re doing. You went directly against me, Tal.”
“The Viceroy can’t have her.” He jerked his chin in the direction Yaseema had gone.
“You can’t have her either,” I growled, my hand drifting toward my knife.
Tal raised his hands. “Easy, we were just here to—” he cast a glance at his co-conspirator. “For River’s sake, can you free Badar? We won’t harm you.”
I called on my vines to recede, and his friend breathed with relief and sat up, rubbing his forearms. He too removed his dark mask, though he was much less smug than Tal. He actually had the good sense to look afraid. I didn’t recognize him, which wasn’t surprising. There were many in the Rebellion I did know, with more and more coming to our side every day.
“The Viceroy cannot have Queen Azari’s crown, youknowwhat he will do with it,” Tal continued, echoing the same thoughts I’d had myself. “We can’t risk it, brother.”
“And what exactly do you propose I do? Kill her?” I bit off, frustration spilling into something more feral.
Tal just looked at me, his face stony.
Yes, he was saying to me, without voicing the word aloud.
Yes, we should kill her.
I growled a low sound. “No. Absolutely not.”
“Nothing stopped you from killing before,” he said viciously. “Even members of your own Court. Which she isn’t.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“You think I don’t dream of every single person I’ve ever killed and know that? You think I don’t wish I had another choice for them? This won’t end if we still can’t attack Reza or raise a fight the Court of Salt. Our powers are still limited, and Rusul’s crown protects him from being attacked.”
Tal snorted. “Do you think I’m a fool? We know you want Azari’s crown to lift the curse on Tirich Mir and free the royal family. It isn’t just about the River Court.”
I went still, not even daring to breathe. “There’s no proof Azari’s crown will do that. No magic can break that curse.”
He jerked his chin. “Hers might.”
I shook my head, my heart sinking even as I said the words I knew to be true. “Queen Azari was powerful, but that curse is impenetrable. I doubt even her crown would be enough to find the entrance and allow us inside. Whatever she used is old magic, something once triggered, impossible to overcome.”
“I didn’t mean the Queen, you fool. I meant your little scholar.” Talal tilted his head. “Quite pretty, isn’t she? I mean, for a human.”
I snarled at him. “Shut your mouth—”
“This isn’t useful, friends.” Badar raised his hand, startling me because I’d nearly forgotten he was there in the middle of my argument with Talal. “Kiyan, we have no quarrel with you. We acted on opportunity. The Red Jasmine doesn’t want your human giving Reza the crown.”
“She won’t,” I bit off. “I won’t allow it.”
“Then why even go through this?” bit off Tal.
“Ask ourleader,” I nearly shouted. “This isherplan. I’m just helping to follow it through. Maybe it’s time you talk to the other members of the Red Jasmine before acting on opportunity. Tell her I’m bringing the crown back and she can fucking have it. But she doesn’t get the girl. Nor do you.”
They both looked at each other then, eyes widened in surprise.
Tal folded his arms across his chest a look of understanding flashing across his face. “She wants the rebels to steal the crown from him?”
“It isn’t my job to make sure you know what you’re doing. Everything is in place. Maybe you should all talk to each other before messing with a plan and causing the entirety of Reza’s army to come down on you in a shitstorm of epic proportions.”
Badar had the decency to look worried.
“I can protect you from him to some extent, butnotif you take her. She’s the only thing that’s given him any excitement lately besides ripping the wings off river pixies.”
Tal shuddered and looked away. “Can she really find it?”
