Page 106 of The Endless War

“No letters? Jewelry?”

“No. Ahnna Kertell has my signet ring.”

Daria’s eyebrows rose. “And why is that?”

“She’s negotiating peace between Maridrina and Ithicana. My kingdom and council believe me in Ithicana, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Right.”

Daria rocked on her heels, seeming to consider this information, which Zarrah also found interesting. It occurred to her that she was painfully lacking in the details of what Keris had been up to in the time they had been apart, which was something that needed to be remedied. “Do we know what information Welran has about what happened on the island?”

“Some,” Daria answered. “There were survivors, and they told those who came to their aid the identities of all the players, including that His Grace was there.” She jerked her chin at Keris. “So while they may not know where he is now, a princess with a signet ring certainly won’t deceive the Usurper into believing His Grace is in Ithicana.”

“Feel free to abandon titles,” Keris said, finally turning back around. “Given you’ve seen me in the nude, I feel we’re on first-name basis.”

Daria gave him a dark grin. “You might regret that.”

“Undoubtedly.” Keris’s eyes, still rimmed with soot, flicked to Zarrah.

He’s waiting for you to take control.Her cheeks burned, because she’d spent all her life being trained to lead, and it felt like she’dforgotten how. “Are you taking us to the commander?”

“Eventually. His location, as well as the location of the stronghold, is a much-sought-after secret, and tensions are high with today’s events. Accommodations need to be made to ensure we aren’t followed.”

“Does this commander have a name?” Keris asked.

Daria looked at her feet. “Sure. But that’s as much a secret as the rest.” Rolling her shoulders, she added, “I’ll leave him to share what information he sees fit.”

Zarrah chewed on the insides of her cheeks. Other than rumors remembered in Ithicana and a vague statement made by Serin that she was the rightful heir, the commander appeared to be the only concrete source that her claim to Valcotta’s throne was legitimate. Who was he to have such information? Why was everyone certain that he was credible? The urge to press Daria was strong, but instead she said, “I look forward to it.”

A knock sounded at the door behind Daria. “It’s me,” a familiar voice said; then the door opened, and Saam stepped inside. He smiled nervously at Zarrah, giving an awkward bow. “Empress.” Then his eyes lighted on Keris, awkwardness disappearing as he handed him a pair of boots. “I knew it was you. Soon as I heard that some straw-haired pale-arsed Maridrinian scrapped with Welran, I said, ‘Friends, that is Maridrina’s king and none other. The man has balls of solid rock and the nine lives of a cat.’”

Keris huffed out an amused breath. “I think only a handful of those lives are left. Good to see you alive, Saam.”

“Daria thought you were done for, but I said, nah, an arrow won’t be enough.”

“God spare me, enough already,” Daria said, pulling the bag from Saam’s hand and handing it to Zarrah. “Your things.”

“Right. Sorry.” Saam gave another awkward bow. “Empress.”

“Zarrah,” she swiftly corrected. “One needs to be legally crowned before claiming the title.”

“The Usurper isillegallycrowned and still claims the title,” he answered. “So seems just enough for you to, Imperial Majesty.” Bowing yet again, he then slung an arm around Keris, hauling him out the door. “Spent the whole of the voyage back telling all who’d listen,which was everyone aboard, about your mad plan on the island.”

Their voices disappeared down the hallway, leaving Zarrah alone with Daria, the tension instantly ratcheting higher in Keris’s absence. And it was no wonder, given the way she’d treated the other woman after discovering the rebel prisoners’ method of survival. Zarrah had been so horrified and disgusted that she’d run into the arms of the enemy instead of pausing to listen to explanation. Whereas Keris had apparently handled it well enough to make jokes about it.

But Zarrah was also reminded of her conversation with Lara. She needed to make a choice about her relationship with the Devil’s Island prisoners with a clear eye to the consequences. “How has it been, being back? Have you been treated well?”

Daria was quiet. “Well enough.”

Zarrah could guess what that meant. The prisoners were treated with cool courtesy, but it was not the homecoming they’d hoped for.

“You should put your hood up,” Daria said. “The search has moved elsewhere, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be watching.”

Pulling on her cloak, Zarrah lifted the hood into place, Daria doing the same. “I’m sorry,” she said as they followed the sound of Saam’s laughter. “For how I reacted. For not listening to your side of the story.” She considered Keris’s joke, and added, “For being so self-righteous.”

Daria was silent until they reached the stairs. “It was a horrible thing that we did,” she finally said. “That’s why we kept you out of it, because we knew that we couldn’t afford your reputation to be tarnished by such behavior. That we couldn’t give the Usurper anything that might be used against you. It’s become abundantly clear to me that doing so was the right choice.”

Zarrah’s eyes pricked, remembering how no one had stood between her and whatever birds landed on the island. In her desperation and hunger, she hadn’t questioned it, but now she understood that they’d sacrificed the opportunity of a meal that wasn’t salted with immorality for her sake.

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