Felix nodded. Nic has happily convinced everyone that you hate Magnus, princess. And that . . . didnt look like an act of hate to me. Hes going to go out of his mind over this.

Cleo stepped away from Magnus, her fingers pressed to her lips and her cheeks bright red.

Please, Felix, she said, almost desperately. Promise me that you wont tell Nic about this. Not ever.

Felix bowed. Dont worry, princess. I wont breathe a word.

Thank you.

Magnus hid his grimace. Something about how she said it, how relieved she sounded that it had only been Felix whod witnessed them together and not someone whose opinion she valued more, pained him deeply.

If Ashur could seek information about Amara, so could Magnus. That afternoon, he left the inn and strode up the road to the market Cleo had mentioned, which took him by the tempting entrance to the Purple Vine. Once at the market, he barely glanced at the wooden stalls, with brightly colored tarps meant to shield the vendors from the sun, each selling a different Paelsian commodity"from wine to jewelry, from fruits and vegetables to scarves and frocks of all colors, among a plethora of other wares. The busy maze of stalls smelled of sweet fruit and smoked meat, and closer to the docks, the odor of sweat and waste buckets assaulted Magnuss nostrils. Among the numerous attendees of the market, including crews of ships and regular citizens of the city, a scattering of Kraeshian guards captured his interest.

He watched as one of Amaras men spoke with a Paelsian wine seller, who offered him a taste of their product, but the wooden goblet wasnt presented with trembling hands or fear in the sellers eyes, but with a smile upon his face.

It annoyed Magnus to see that so many Paelsians were accepting the fate of becoming a part of the Kraeshian Empire, seemingly without a care in the world. Had it really been so bad for them before that the thought of Amara as their new leader was a gift?

He continued to watch evidence of this dynamic between Paelsians and Kraeshians until the sun was high in the sky and wearing a hooded cloak became unbearably hot. Since hed had his fill of the sights, sounds, and smells, both pleasant and foul, of the Basilia market, he decided to return to the inn.

Magnus turned in that direction only to find that someone stood in his path.

Taran Ranus.

Magnus fought not to show that unexpectedly facing the twin of Theon"someone who had nearly successfully taken his revenge on his brothers murderer"had startled him so much. But before Magnus could figure out what to say, Taran took the liberty of speaking first.

Im curious, Taran said, his voice low. How many people have you killed?

Thats a rather personal question for such a public place.

He continued, undeterred. We know theres my brother, thats one. Who else?

Magnus tried not to flinch, tried not to reach for the hilt of the sword he wore. Taran also wore his sword prominently at his side.

Im not sure, he admitted.

An estimate will do.

Very well. Perhaps . . . a dozen.

Taran nodded, his expression giving away nothing of what might be going on in his mind as he glanced at the busy market around them. How many people do you think Ive killed?

More than a dozen, Im sure, Magnus replied. He pursed his lips. Why? Are you here to taunt me with your sword-fighting skills? To tell me stories of how youve made evil men cry for their mothers before spilling their blood? How you would kill a thousand more if it meant that sunshine and happiness would reign supreme in this world?

Tarans narrowed gaze slowly moved back to meet Magnuss. For someone whod nearly taken apart the inn the other night with his urgent need to slit Magnuss throat, Taran seemed eerily calm today.

Do you regret killing my brother? he finally asked, ignoring Magnuss questions.

Magnus considered lying, wondered if he should feign remorse. But he instinctively knew he wouldnt be able to fool Theons twin. No, he said with as much confidence as he could. My life was in jeopardy. I needed to protect myself from someone vastly more skilled with a sword than I was at the time, so I acted. I cant stand here and tell you that I regret taking any means necessary to save my own life, despite my choices at the time not being the same choices I would make today.

What choice would you make today?

Face-to-face combat. My fighting skills have much improved over the last year.

Taran nodded once, but his face betrayed nothing. My brother would have bested you.

Perhaps, Magnus allowed. So what, then? I assume youre here to attempt to take my life before all these people. Are you? Or are we merely having a conversation?

Thats exactly why I followed you here: because I want to decide what to do. The other night it was so simple, so clear in my mind that you had to die.

And now?

Taran pulled the sword from the sheath on his belt, but only enough to show the blade that had a series of symbols and unfamiliar words etched into its surface. This was my mothers weapon once. She told me that the words carved into it are in the language of the immortals.

Fancy, Magnus said, his entire body tense and ready for a fight. Was your mother a witch? he guessed.

Yes. She was an Oldling, a witch who worshipped the elements with blood magic and sacrifice.

Im sure youre telling me this for a reason.

I am. I asked you to guess how many people Ive killed. Taran sheathed the sword. The answer is one. Only one.

A trickle of perspiration slid down the length of Magnuss spine. Your mother.

Taran nodded grimly. Oldlings believe twins are filled with powerful magic. He shook his head, his brow furrowing. Theres a mostly forgotten legend that says the first immortals who were created were twins"one dark, one light. My mother believed dark magic was far more powerful, so to increase hers, she chose to sacrifice the light twin.

Theon.

Actually, no. It was me, five years ago, when I was fifteen years old. Perhaps she thought Id let her use this very sword to kill me, but she was wrong. I fought back, and I killed her. Theon arrived then, only to see me holding a blade, our mother dead at my feet. He didnt know what she really was. I only recently found out the truth for myself. He swore I would pay with my life for taking hers, and I knew hed never understand. So I ran as far away as I could, and I didnt look back. Until now. He laughed, and the sound was dry and hollow. It seems we have this in common: We both were forced to take a life to protect ourselves, an act we cant allow ourselves to regret, because if we hadnt done it, we wouldnt be here today.

Magnus couldnt find his voice; Tarans confession had managed to render him speechless. He concentrated on the markets buzz and activity, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment.

When he opened them again, Taran was walking away from him through the crowd. He followed at a distance, considering the short conversation theyd had and feeling grateful that he hadnt had to fight for his life today.

When they returned to the inn, Jonas was in the meeting hall, as if waiting for their arrival. He stood up from his seat and put down the book hed been reading. Magnus noted with surprise it had been the same one about wine that hed been reading.

Taran, we need to talk, Jonas said. Out in the courtyard we wont be overheard by prying ears. Felix is already there waiting. You too, your highness.

Magnus cocked his head. Me?

Thats what I said.

Now Im deeply intrigued. Very well. Lead the way, rebel.

Behind the inn was an outdoor space that the innkeeper and his wife referred to as the courtyard. Really, it was a patch of brown grass bordered by a small flower-and-vegetable garden and containing two animal pens"one of chickens and one of fat warlogs that chattered angrily at anyone who came close to them.

Magnus and Taran followed Jonas to where Felix stood in the far corner of the garden.

We have information about Amara, Jonas finally said. Shes here in Paelsia.

Magnus tried not to let any intrigue show in his expression. Information from whom?

There are rebels everywhere, your highness.

Magnuss first impulse was to remind Jonas that most of his rebels were dead, but he chose to hold his tongue. Very well. Where in Paelsia?

Chief Basiliuss compound.

And where precisely is that?

A days journey from here to the southeast. Im surprised you dont know, considering it is a major point on your fathers Blood Road.

Imperial Road, Magnus corrected.

Blood Road, Jonas said again, gritting his teeth.

Magnus chose not to get into the subject of that road with a Paelsian, nor the subject of how it was constructed so quickly on the backs of Paelsian workers at his fathers command. No wonder the citizens of this kingdom were so welcoming to Amara. And did this informant also tell you why shes come here?

No.

It doesnt matter why shes here, Felix said. This is our chance.

To what? Magnus asked. Assassinate her?

That was the general idea.

No, it wasnt, Jonas said, glaring at his friend.

Killing one empress doesnt change the fact that my father gave this kingdom to her family. That her soldiers are everywhere like green splotches of mud. What about Ashur? You bring him here as if you trust him, yet we dont know what his plan is.

Ashur is a problem, I admit it, Jonas said. I have Nic keeping an eye on him, reporting any unusual behavior.

Oh, yes. Magnus crossed his arms. That should turn out just fine. So you"he addressed Felix"want to kill her. And you"to Jonas"want to wait and see. He nodded. Excellent decisions all around. I cant imagine Amara will stand a chance against this alliance.

Jonas blinked. Taran, werent you planning on killing him?

I was.

Im beginning to warm up to that possibility again.

Clearly, Magnus began, if we know Amaras location, the best course of action is to send scouts to gather more information about her current plans, why shes here, and where shes hidden the water Kindred.

Taran groaned. I hate the fact that I agree with him, but I do. I can go. Theres no reason I should stay here with nothing to do but stare at the walls.

Ill go too, Felix said eagerly.

Jonas gave Felix a wary look. You think you can handle that without doing anything reckless?

Absolutely not. But I still want to go. Felix sighed. I promise, well scout for information. Thats all.

Magnus would rather take action, like Felix, and simply wipe Amara from the face of the world, but he could see how information would be useful in the broader sense of two kingdoms at war. Shall we tell Cleo about this? Or Cassian?

For now, no, Jonas replied. The fewer who know, the better.

Magnus didnt like the thought of keeping this from Cleo, but he couldnt fault Jonass logic.

Fair enough. Well keep it between the four of us.

Jonas nodded. Then its settled. Taran and Felix will leave tomorrow at dawn.

CHAPTER 17.

CLEO.

PAELSIA.

Have you seen Prince Ashur anywhere? asked Nic.

Cleo looked up from the book about Chief Basiliuss life that shed chosen from the shelf downstairs. Her thoughts were so scattered, she mustve read the same page, which covered all five of his marriages, ten times.

Nic stood at the door of her private room. Enzo stood guard outside, her constant protector, but shed made sure to tell him that Nic was not to be barred from interrupting her.

Not today, she admitted, still stunned that the prince had returned from the dead. Why? Is that odd?

He likes to wander off and not tell anyone. His expression darkened. Does he seem different to you than before? I cant figure it out.

He seems much the same to me, but I didnt know him well, she admitted.

Neither did I.

Oh, I dont know about that. Sometimes it doesnt take years to know someone. A handful of conversations can be more than enough to know someones heart.

If you say so.

Cleo knew that Nic and Ashur had known each other well enough that her friend had grieved the princes loss deeply. And she also knew there was more than a simple friendship between the two, emotions they were only beginning to explore, perhaps now forever unresolved.

Taran and Felix also seem to be missing, she said. Where are they?

An excellent question. I thought I was allied with Jonas, but now it seems he conspires with Magnus.