The direct-line archive opened to my blood. No key. No guard code. I put my palm against the black plate beside the sealed doors and felt the same warmth that had moved through the Crownstone. The locks released one after another. Seven heavy clicks. Severin did not come

Mira looked smaller without the false belly. Not weaker. Smaller. She sat at the far end of the Crown inquiry room in plain gray clothes, both hands cuffed in front of her. No white dress. No bronze key. No tears prepared for Ronan. Two neutral guards stood behind he

Ronan arrived at the capital before noon. Not with warriors. Not with an escort. With three ledgers under one arm and a sealed quartermaster box under the other. That was new.

The Crown Council inquiry room had emptied except for me, Cassian, two clerks, and an