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‘Fully primed. Now it just needs your touch to be activated.’ His grin widened even more when I dry-heaved at the gurgling sound that came from within the bone.

‘He filled it with Niersen’s blood diluted with vinegar. And it fucking stinks,’ Irsha said.

‘You want me to do it now?’ I asked, and Tova nodded with such vigour his belt jingled.

‘We need them active, Drah’sa. Just in case. I know you’re tired and barely healed, but this is too important,’ he insisted. I trailed a finger over the runes etched into the ivory column as he spoke. ‘In case I need to redo it.’

I pulled off the heavy bracelet he’d given me and removed the strip of fabric with the spell on it. Dry blood flaked off the bones as I held them, saturating the runes with Aether while murmuring the spell. There was so much wrongness in the ritual, but I didn’t falter.

When I was done, the world swam before my eyes.

Irsha took the now-glowing keys from my hand and wrapped them in the fabric. ‘Send your beast home. We’ll leave for the Gates tomorrow.’

At my questioning look, he shrugged. ‘Your Tangrian ally can’t take you to the Hierophant while he’s a prisoner himself. Our goal was never to kill the bastard but to shut down the Gate.’

I swallowed hard. Irsha was right. I knew he was right, but leaving Siras to face the Tangrian clerics alone didn’t sit well with me.

‘We can’t…’

Irsha strode towards me, grabbed my chin and tilted my head up.

‘We can and we will. He’s not yours to protect,’ he said. I shook my head, pulling away. ‘For fuck’s sake, Trouble, he shot you with a srebrec bolt and let Tivala torture you. He is not your friend.’

‘He isn’t my enemy either,’ I answered, ready to argue, when Tova put his hands on his hips.

‘My lord, a message from the scouts,’ called a voice from outside. The fae captain leant out, gesturing the soldier inside.

A scout came in, blinking at the gathering.

‘You can speak freely. These are our allies,’ the fae said.

‘The Hierophant’s army is marching towards Dagome’s camp near the Tivalaran Castle. The men we captured revealed that in four days the circle would close, and they’ll attack.’ He glanced towards us before dropping his gaze. ‘I recommend withdrawing and reporting to the Empress. An alliance with Dagome might no longer be viable.’

‘Do you wish to repeat what you said?’ Irsha’s cold voice, but more so his hand drifting to his daggers awakened me from my stupor. I reached out and grasped his hand.

‘No,’ I said, observing the captain’s reaction. The Dark Fae’s skin turned ashen, and when our gazes met, he looked down. ‘Captain, take Tova to the Gate. That’s your priority. I’ll head off to disrupt the Hierophant’s plan.’

‘My lady, we must warn the Empress,’ the Dark Fae exclaimed.

‘Then do so. Send a messenger as you head to the Gate. I’m not asking you to fight my war, but if you want to save Tir ha Mor, you’ll secure the Gate.’

Tova jumped to his feet. ‘What stupid scheme have you thought up now? I’m not leaving you alone… Why the fuck do I need an escort?’

Tova paced while Irsha stood with his arms crossed and a harsh, unyielding expression.

‘Because you’re the only one who can make those damn keys. That makes you the most important person on the continent right now. Go to the Gate, ensure the keys work and wait for me there. I’ll join you as soon as the situation here is handled,’ I insisted, but he only bristled more.

‘And how will you handle it? Will you sneak past the enemy to warn Reynard? Even Irsha isn’t that good,’ he said, and I tried to ignore Irsha’s smirk.

‘I hope he is, because that’s exactly what he’s doing. I’m going back into Piran’s Swamp.’ I held Tova’s gaze. He knew me well enough to know I didn’t have a solid plan, but every instinct in my body was screaming this was the right thing to do.

My friends appeared unsettled when I smiled and let my wings unfold from my back. ‘Tova, wait for me at the Gate, please. I need you ready, but don’t do anything stupid until I’m there. Irsha, tell Reynard that Dagome will have his back.’

‘Sana, for fuck’s sake, what are you going to do?’ Irsha snapped when I turned to leave.

‘Be the vivamancer everyone fears, and the Vila’s daughter they need.’

My Blade stepped forward to grab my arm but Tova stopped him.

‘No, Irsha. Roksana has chosen. You can’t stop the Queen.’