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Reckless, wonderful, bold Thane. He was hurt and angry and had no idea what dangers lived in the walls of his own palace.

“Dravens have hunted your craft for as long as I’ve lived,” Yrsa offered. “Whatever he did to make you believe him, it was not real.”

I reached for her hand, exhaustion clouding my mind. “I must return. You don’t understand what is happening at Stonegate.”

“It’s too much too soon.” Yrsa moved for a small pouch. The same pine scent I’d breathed in earlier was there. “You need a little more rest, Lyra. It will be clearer in the morning.”

“No! Yrsa, please!”

I hardly finished speaking before the blur of empty black stole me away again.

—

Thane was seated on a stool in the corner of the tent when I woke.

More water. More stares. More silence.

Only when he returned to his seat did he speak. “Is he truly Skul Drek? I keep trying to convince myself it was not real. That I did not see what I thought I saw.”

In the prince’s hand was a rolled bit of parchment. I recognized the writing on the page.

“So you did receive his missive?”

Thane looked at the words. “He taunted me in it, as we always did. Said I was being petulant, and if I wanted the true story, I was to meet him in a week’s time near the Black Fjords. I was rather inclined to meet him with every Stav Guard. Until we received your note and my desire shifted to getting you free.”

A heart for battle, or a heart to be a hero. Elisabet, what have you done?

My heart cracked on behalf of the prince, for the look of despondency written in every line of his face. Try to hate Roark all he wanted, such pain would not be in his voice if he had not loved him.

“Skul Drek is not what you think.” My voice was clearer, stronger. One glance at my wounded palm, and I nearly broke into a smile. The wound was healing. Yrsa’s craft was fighting Ingir’s.

No mistake, the princess was stronger than she knew.

The prince closed his eyes. “Why did he come to Stonegate? There had to have been a purpose.”

“Me,” I whispered. “He was to find the lost melder and kill me. In the meantime, he fought against soul bones.” I could tell him Roark had little control over his life and the actions of Skul Drek. I could tell him his Sentry never wanted to betray him.

I told him none of it. Thane would not believe a word.

Not yet.

“He didn’t kill you,” Thane said when I remained silent.

“No.” I shook my head. “He didn’t. He is not your enemy, Thane.”

The prince shook his head and leaned onto his elbows over his knees. “I wish I could believe that, Lyra. You’re healing well, so you should know we’ll need to be leaving soon.”

—

I learned quickly to play into their hopes. To play the part of the poor melder recovering from a Draven trance.

It worked.

Yrsa wiped away a tear from my cheek and helped me sit up once she removed the bindings from my wrists. “You mustn’t blame yourself. They lied to all of us.”

Emi. Yrsa’s voice was as harsh as Thane’s. She was broken believing Emi betrayed her heart.

I would go mad if I could not find a way to convince them otherwise soon.