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Silver did not speak as they rejoined the others.

“We have done what we can here,” Argent said. “We should return to our tower.”

More of the Lost Ones were standing or sitting up than before. Many of those Adam had assumed dead looked to have been simply unconscious, likely from the banshee song, but just as many, if not more, lay unmoving.

“Agreed.”

Across the graveyard, the elves vanished. Adam lingered for a moment, then followed.

The northern tower had fared better. The banshees had not broached its defenses, though the Lost Ones were beyond decimated. The survivors huddled around their remaining fires, looking dazed and shocked.

It was hard to say which group—these, or those in the east—had fared better, but it hurt to know that many of the Lost Ones had died because Dautre and his fellows had chosen to save their people and their king.

He couldn’t taste anger in the air now. It was like a collective fever had passed.

“Adam?” Silver asked. Adam followed him toward the ballroom where he held court.

Several bodies lay there, the elves they’d lost in battle.

To the side stood a group, which included Dautre. They numbered about a dozen.

They could have fled, thrown themselves in the planes, and likely never faced the king’s wrath, but they’d surrendered.

Silver took to his throne.

“Where is the Knight of Swords?” he demanded, his voice booming.

“We do not know, sire,” Eran answered. “None can find her.”

“You, Dautre,” Silver said. “You are her squire. Why does she not answer our summons?”

It was never a good sign when Silver switched to the royal we.

“I do not know, sire.”

“It has recently come to our attention that she gifted mortals elven spells, spells such as those that brought the banshees here today and cracked the sky.”

Adam expected shocked whispers or gasps, but the assembled court stood frozen and silent.

“This is the cost of today,” Silver said, waving at the bodies on their biers of ice. “We will have answers.”

Adam exchanged a glance with Dautre. They had to be thinking the same thing. If the knight was missing, was North okay? He was all alone.

“You have something to tell us, Page?”

“I would speak it in private, my king.”

“Leave us,” Silver said. “Dautre, stay.”

Some of the elves vanished. Some walked out.

Sheets of white ice blanketed the walls, floor, and ceiling, sealing the three of them in with the dead. Adam locked his knees, determined not to slip and fall.

“Speak freely and quickly.”

“I do not believe the knight did this,” Adam said.

“People died, Adam. You almost died, and yet you defend her.”