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“If you don’t believe me, ask your sister. She’s the one who said it was important for some reason, but so far all I’ve done is manage to piss everyone off.” A tear shimmied down her cheek, and I forced myself not to soften. She seemed all too capable of manipulation.

“I will ask Sharlyne. But beyond that, what the fuck were you doing in plain sight? Is this a game to you, Your Highness?” I took a step toward her, fully intending to intimidate the waif of a thing before me.

To my surprise, she straightened, planting her feet, and tilted her face up defiantly.

“It was an accident,” she seethed. “I only intended to return a book to the library. I didn’t expect anyone to show up and⁠—”

“That’s the point. You should have been more careful, just in case. The book could have waited. You risked more than just yourself. Do you care about that? Because I’m not sure you do.”

“How dare you!” She shoved at me again, and I almost laughed at the attempt and her grunt of frustration when I failed to move. “Of course I care! I care about everyone here.”

Her tears fell freely now as she pummeled me with her tiny fists. I let her, finally believing her display was real. She needed to get out her frustration, and maybe, just maybe, she’d say something real in the wake of it.

When she finally stopped, she dropped her forehead to my chest and curled her fists beneath her chin. Sobs shook her body, vibrating against me. With a sigh, I put an arm around her shoulders.

“I never meant to hurt anyone,” she whispered. “I’m…I’m sorry. It’s my fault you were in the dungeon for so long. I get why you hate me.”

Pressing my eyes shut, I pulled away from her. This was not comfortable. I didn’t know what I’d been imagining—perhaps a confession and release of Nyah? But the reality of the situation was far more complex, and now I found myself navigating the treacherous waters of…feelings, ones that weren’t hatred or anger.

Grasping her arms, I waited until she peered up at me from beneath frost-colored lashes. “I don’t hate you,” I admitted. “But I will not try to coddle you and absolve you of your guilt like Nye. I am angry. You took her from me—from us, when together, we could have stopped all of this.”

She drew in a sharp breath, but continued meeting my eyes, which I took as a good sign—an indication she was actually listening. She opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off. I had things to say, and it was time she heard them.

“You might mean well, but that doesn’t change the situation,” I continued. “I know the seers say not to kill the bastard until he’s collected each of the kingdom’s stones, but I have lived with seers my entire life, and trying to follow every twisted instruction or portent they give can drive a person mad.” I thought back on Sharlyne telling me it was time to finally act and how I’d been so hells bent on reaching the king that I’d rushed toward danger. Nothing had gone as expected. And yet…I couldn’t regret Nyah coming into my life.

I stared hard at the woman before me. “Never mind how dangerous that fucking sounds—Balram having all that power in his possession before we fight him. I need you to know that if another chance comes my way, I intend to finish him.”

Leuruna’s mouth snapped shut, and she nodded, wide-eyed and still crying silently.

“I’m glad you understand me,” I said, rising to my full height again and releasing her. “You would do well to remember that every move you make going forward puts every person in our vicinity in danger—from the hired hands on the ship we’re boarding tomorrow to the girls that work for Lou and are oblivious to the danger they’re in. But it also put’s Nyah in jeopardy, as well. And if she’s hurt, Princess, that’s one thing I will never forgive you for.”

“I…I understand,” she said, hugging herself. “Rivven, please know if I could return her to you, I would.”

I winced at her words, because I felt the truth in them. I didn’t want to believe it. I wanted to blame her. It was easier to think there was a path back for Nyah than to admit she may never be free.

“At first, I thought she was just me,” Rune continued. “That my magic was out of control and dangerous.”

“Nyah was never a danger,” I snapped.

“I know,” she pleaded, reaching for my arm.

I stiffened beneath her touch.

“I always worried that I was somehow like Illio,” she said, turning away to hug herself again. “I’d hoped when I found that book—but it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter who he was. I’m me, and I am the one wielding my power.”

“It’s not about power,” I said. “When you do something, anything at all, that action affects everyone around you. Whether it involves using magic or not.”

“How am I supposed to know what the right thing is all the time?” she whined, spreading her hands before me like she was pleading for guidance.

That thought nearly shook a laugh from me. Instead, I said, “You don’t. You can’t. But simple things, like walking through a busy inn when you’re supposed to be in hiding, should be obvious.”

She dipped her head. “You’re right, of course. The truth is, I’m not very good at this.”

“This what?” I asked, confused.

“This.” She spread her arms and swung around. “Life. Interacting with other people. Anticipating their reactions. It’s all new to me.” When I started to speak, she raised a palm, asking me to wait, then started pacing the length of the room. “I’m not making excuses. I’m just stating a fact. I hope you know I’m trying, though. I will get better at it, and…and I’ll make it up to everyone. To you especially.”

I pressed fingers to my temples where a headache had started to bloom and sat at the edge of the bed. The bed I’d been foolishly dreaming of sharing with Nyah, miraculously freed, with her own body back. It seemed ludicrous in hindsight to even hope for such a thing. Suddenly, all I wanted was to be alone. “Princess⁠—”