Jasimir wanted to make her a queen. Atruequeen. He’d raise her to a place untouchable, and through that, she’d raise all the Crows into safety.
Jasimir balled up his fists. “She’s Ambra. You can ask the Black Swans. That’s why they sent Khoda to keep an eye on Fie. And—”
“Can we prove it?” Draga asked. “And I don’t mean by interrogation from a Crane witch. What I’m asking is how we convince the rest of Sabor that Ambra, Queen of Day and Night, was reborn as a Crow.”
“Shegets it,” Khoda grumbled.
Fie still couldn’t find words, but Jasimir was not deterred. “We can figure out something. But if I marry Fie, that elevates the status ofeveryCrow. It will be immediate, undeniable protection for the whole caste.”
“Until a few monarchs down the line, when both of you are gone and terrorizing Crows is back in vogue,” Draga snapped. “Then what? The Crows need protection, but this will only last as long as you do.”
“What’s the alternative?” Jasimir fired back. “Because Rhusana’s getting ready to raid every Crow shrine she can. We can’t donothing.”
Draga shook her head. “Rhusana’s already imploding. She’s emptying the palace treasury on these parties, she’s terrorizing the aristocracy, and she’s asking all of Sabor to roll shells with the plague. We just need to be patient.”
“And how long is patient?” Fie found her voice again, now on familiar ground. “How much of the country’s burning plague beacons right now?” From Draga’s flinch, she knew the answer wastoo much. “Every day it’ll get worse. It’ll be more to burn. And the queen’s driving the only ones who can stop it into hiding. You tell me how that ends.”
Draga scowled and looked away a moment. “I’ll keep fighting the queen on the beacons,” she said finally, resting her chin on her interlocked hands. “One more thing to keep her distracted. And… she’s throwing that ball three days from now, her biggest yet. I can challenge her there, in front of everyone, on how she’s handling the plague. Either we force her to back off the Crows, which should cost her the support of the Oleander Gentry, or she doubles down, which costs her the support of every plague-fearing citizen in Sabor. No matter what, she’ll be at her weakest.”
“I like it,” Khoda said. “It could be the right moment to reveal the real Prince Jasimir as well. The nobility will be starving for an alternative to Rhusana.”
Draga nodded slowly. “Jasimir can call fire to prove he’s a Phoenix, and we’ll arrest Rhusana for abducting and assaulting the crown prince, and throw in murder, treason, the standard. It’ll be quick, be public, and leave time for the real coronation to happen before the end of Phoenix Moon. I think we have a plan.”
There was a knock at the door. Fie snapped the glamours back into place, and Draga jumped. “Gods, that’s uncanny,” she muttered, then raised her voice. “Yes?”
The same war-witch as before opened the door. “Prince Jasimir is here. He requests a private word.”
The four of them exchanged glances. What did Tavin want with Draga?
Draga swallowed. “Very well. Cat-masters, take your leave. We will make another appointment for later.”
Jasimir crinkled the fish treats and the cats came running, dragging their leashes behind them. Fie picked Barf up again and glamoured her coat to pure black. No sense in risking Tavin recognizing the tabby.
Tavin was waiting in the hallway as they left, knotting his hands together, and he brushed past them without so much as a sideways squint. His escort of Hawks lingered outside Draga’s office, but they paid no mind, either.
The three of them were just passing the archives hall when a handful of people spilled into the courtyard. Some wore Sparrow servant uniforms, but others were in the violet robes of Owl clerks. All of them had one sleeve yanked up, flashing the Sinner’s Brand rash on their arms.
The squad of Hawks behind them seemed to be debating something. Fie caught “—her orders—” and “—no room left!”
“Then take them to the quarantine court for Splendid Castes!” the corporal commanded. “There has to be some room there.”
One pointed to the eastern gate. A curl of black smoke was rising; someone had kindled the plague beacon again.
“Thank the Mender,” one soldier muttered.
Then the beacon was doused in a puff of steam.
“This is absurd.” The soldier planted his spear butt in the ground. “These people aren’t sick and we can’t—”
“Enough! The last time someone spoke out against the queen, they left without a hand,” the corporal snapped, then realized they had an audience. “Move along, Sparrows. This isn’t your concern.”
The prince, the spy, and the only Crow in the palace traded looks. It was, in fact, very much their concern.
That didn’t mean there was aught they could do about it now.
“Of course, sir,” Khoda said, and hurried them away.
Behind them, Fie heard the squabble continue as the sinners huddled in the courtyard, wide-eyed and afraid.
