“I think you’d be meeting with her mother. Zoi is only four.”

“You can tell a lot about a person when they’re four.”

I laughed. “Oh really? Beyond their favorite color or food?”

“I’ll know not to trust her if her favorite food is spinach. And of course, I’ll meet with her mother, too, if she’ll agree to see us.”

“Talin will make sure she does.”

He was silent for a few moments. “Nor, I know you were hoping to free the Varenians before any fighting starts. But from what everyone has told me, that’s going to be impossible.”

I started to weave Titania’s forelock into a braid, then brushed it out again with my fingers. “It was also impossible that I would survive cutting myself on a blood coral or that a girl with a scar would leave Varenia to marry the prince. It was impossible to escape New Castle and make it home again, and it was impossible that I’d visit Galeth and learn about healing from a witch.” I fed the last granules of sugar to Titania. “Everything I’ve done for the past seven years is impossible, depending on who you ask.”

“So what’s your plan?”

“My plan hasn’t changed. I just need to figure out how to get Ceren away from New Castle.”

I expected Roan to ask me how, but instead he glanced up at the sky, and I was glad I didn’t have to answer. A plan was beginning to take shape, but it was desperate to say the least, and I knew if I had to defend it now, it would crumble.

I leaned against Titania and looked up, trying to picture the future, but all I saw was the same thing I’d seen every night of my life in Varenia: a black sky studded with stars, each one a possibility that I hadn’t yet imagined.

“Good night, Roan,” I said, and left him staring up at the stars.

* * *

By the time we reached the border the following day, Talia’s soldiers had already claimed the crossing. There was no one to stop us from reaching her camp; those who might have yesterday were all dead.

The camp was a field of tents as far as the eye could see. Whatever her methods of building her army, Talia had certainly been effective. The camp was huge, with men and women, and even some children, all busily bustling from one place to another.

“Ceren’s army can’t possibly be bigger than this,” I said to Ebb as we were escorted to the largest of the tents. Talia’s headquarters, apparently.

“Perhaps not,” Roan said. “But Ceren can be assured of his soldiers’ loyalty. Who knows if the same can be said of Talia?”

“Let’s try to be open minded. If she’s who Talin says she is, we have no reason to doubt her.”

We all fell silent as a figure emerged from the tent. She was tall and elegant, her waist nipped tight by a leather corset over an emerald gown. Her hair cascaded to the middle of her back in golden-brown waves, her tanned skin still flawless, though she was at least forty. She didn’t wear a crown, but she didn’t need to; anyone with eyes could see that she was the leader.

“Welcome, friends,” Talia said, arms spread wide as she floated toward us. The lessons she’d learned in Varenia had clearly never been forgotten; she was the picture of grace and beauty.

But there was a sharpness in her green eyes that I hadn’t seen in her portrait in New Castle. I knew this woman probably had very little in common with the girl who grew up in Varenia, as eager to please as Zadie had been. She’d been through so much since then. But I hoped the woman who had raised Talin was still in there somewhere.

“My son has told me so much about you all. I know you’ve had a difficult journey.”

Roan lowered his chin, as close to a bow as he was willing to give. “We have indeed.”

I glanced around anxiously, afraid someone would point out his lack of courtesy. He hadn’t used any form of address.

“I have accommodations ready for you,” Talia said, ignoring the slight if she noticed it. “My soldiers will take care of your horses while we get to know each other.”

Roan’s posture remained rigid. “My soldiers will stay with their horses. I will be happy to meet with you for a short time, but we won’t be needing accommodations.”

“No?” Talia arched her fine eyebrows. “I had hoped you might stay a bit longer. I know my son made it clear to you that we could use your help.”

“We haven’t decided yet,” Roan said. “Perhaps after we’ve met the woman king, we will have a better sense.”

A shadow passed over Talia’s expression, but it was gone in an instant. “Of course. Come with me... What did you say your name was?”

“Roan. And how should I address you?”

I struggled not to roll my eyes. Why did he have to be so arrogant?

“You may call me Talia, of course.” She turned with an amused grin and a swish of her skirts, reentering the tent. Zadie, Sami, Adriel, Ebb, Roan, and I followed. As soon as we were inside, I spotted Talin, seated at a long table with a bunch of other men.

“Nor!” He rose and crossed the tent in a few strides, pulling me into his arms. “Thank the gods. I was afraid you wouldn’t make it.”

I extricated myself gently, fully aware of his mother’s eyes on us. “I’m happy to see you, too,” I whispered.

He seemed to remember himself and turned toward Talia. “Mother, this is Nor, the woman I told you about.”

Talia’s lips curled in a smile. “I knew it the moment I saw her. My son tells me you helped make our reunion possible. I am eternally grateful.”

I dropped into a curtsy. “It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

When I rose, she was still staring at me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and something I couldn’t decipher. “And who are your companions?”

“My sister, Zadie; Governor Kristos’s son, Samiel; and our friend from Galeth, Adriel. I believe you already know Ebb.”

Talia inclined her head to Sami. “And what is the governor’s son doing so far from home?”

Sami bowed at the waist. “I tried to warn the Varenians about Ceren, Your Majesty. Some of our people thought I was a liar, that I was conspiring with Nor against the king.” He gave a tight smile. “They decided I no longer belonged in Varenia.”

“I see. And how did you survive banishment?”

“I was fortunate to make it to shore near the port market. I had friends there willing to help me.”

Talia cocked her head, a grin playing on her lips. “You can tell me how you happened to have friends at the port market another time. But you must be famished. I’ll have some food and drink brought to your tents.”