“Our families are likely suffering,” Sami added. “Have you gone mad?”

“Quiet!” Zadie cried, silencing both of them. “Can’t you see that Nor was buying us time? Those councilmembers despise royalty, Talin. They were going to escort you straight to the border, where Ceren’s guards are probably circling like sharks at a chum bucket. And, Sami, I know you want to help our families, but Ceren has men all over Ilara hunting for Nor. The moment they spot us, we’ll be captured or killed, and what good will we be then? We need a plan, and time to get the Galethians on our side. Honestly. Think!”

I mouthed a thank-you to Zadie as the men sat down on a bench and stared at their boots, shamefaced. A few minutes later, Roan appeared at the entrance to the hallway and waved us back toward the meeting room. His expression was so stony I was sure we were about to be told this was our last night in Galeth.

The councilmembers rose in unison when we entered, but Yana was the one to speak. “The vote was six to five. Personally, I voted against it. I think you’ll bring us nothing but trouble, and we have no good reason to allow this. It’s certainly never been done before in the history of our people, and I don’t see why we should start with you.”

“Yana,” Roan said under his breath.

“Oh, very well,” she growled. “Congratulations, outsiders. And welcome to Galeth.”

13

As the council broke up for the night, Roan led us back into Leesbrook. “Yana seems to think I’m responsible for you lot,” he said. “First we’re going to get some ale, and then I’m going to explain what your life in Galeth will look like for the time being.”

I was grateful we would have more time to formulate a plan, but I had the distinct impression that we weren’t going to be able to convince the Galethians to help us in the next couple of days, if at all. I also knew that my idea to escape alone and look for my parents was flawed, potentially fatally so. I told myself I would give it three days. After that, I would leave no matter what.

We entered the inn together, receiving strange looks from some of the other patrons, until they saw Roan and nodded in recognition. Physically, Galethians were as diverse in appearance as Varenians, but there was something about us that marked us as outsiders. Probably the way we clung to Roan like whale calves to their mother.

He pointed to a table in the corner and went off to get us a pitcher of ale, trusting us to manage without him for a few minutes.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Talin whispered to me as we sat down.

“I’m improvising,” I whispered back. “Besides, I didn’t see anyone else coming up with a better idea.”

“Here we are.” Roan set the pitcher down between us and passed out a half dozen cups that looked disturbingly like horse hooves. “Help yourselves to the ale. It’s on me.” He took a long swig, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and settled into his chair like he hadn’t a care in the world.

“Now then. Talin, Osius, and Grig: you’re military men and strong riders. I want you to join me at Fort Crag. I could use the help now that we know this Ceren fellow might be paying extra attention to our border. If you agree, you’ll be given the same living quarters as the rest of my riders. No special treatment, just a bed in a barracks and two hot meals a day.”

Osius and Grig nodded. They were used to that kind of living, but they wouldn’t speak until their leader did.

“What about the others?” Talin asked.

“I’m getting there.” Roan took another swig of ale, taking obvious pleasure in dragging this out. “Samiel can sort things out with Hoff, since they made an arrangement when he came.”

I glanced questioningly at Sami. “Who’s Hoff?”

“When I first reached land after I was banished, I met a Galethian at the port market,” Sami explained. “He saw me hiding in an alley, clearly suffering, and bought me a meal. It was a risk, trusting him, but I was desperate. After he heard my story, he offered to bring me to Galeth, knowing I couldn’t stay in Ilara. He found me a job with Hoff, the eldest member of the council.”

There was a sadness in Sami’s brown eyes I didn’t recognize. He turned to Zadie, gripping her hands tightly in his. “I’m so sorry. I hated leaving the port, knowing you would worry about me. That was why I left the message with the kite seller. I planned to come back to you, just as soon as it was safe.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”

“I am.” Sami looked healthier than he had in years, probably because he was finally getting enough to eat, but I knew that he had to have suffered greatly from being kidnapped and banished, both physically and mentally. “Zadie can stay with me,” Sami said to Roan.

Roan nodded and turned to me. “You’re a good rider, Nor, and Titania makes up for what you lack. You’re welcome to join us at Fort Crag, or you can stay with your sister if you prefer.”

What I wanted was for us all to stay together so we could decide what our next move would be. If Talin really believed he could convince the Galethians to help, then he needed to do it quickly. And Zadie, Sami, and I had to figure out the best way to help our parents. What we needed was someone who could tell us what Ceren was planning, and if there were any chinks in his armor.

“I’d like to speak to the captured guard,” I said suddenly.

Roan’s eyebrows rose above his cup. “Oh?”

“Tomorrow morning, if possible. I will decide where to stay after.”

I expected Roan to argue, but instead he shrugged and drained his ale. “I’ll see what I can do. Get some sleep. You look like you need it.”

I scowled at his retreating back and rose, waiting for Zadie to follow. She glanced at Sami, then at me. I realized with a blush that she wanted to go with him tonight. “I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

I went up to my room and changed quickly. A soft knock sounded on the door just as I was about to blow out my candle for bed. I was tempted to ignore it, but I padded to the door in my shift and cracked it open. A pair of sea glass eyes waited for me in the dim hallway.

“I’m sorry,” Talin said as I closed the door behind him.

“I wasn’t trying to undermine you, you know. I was just afraid you’d ask for the Galethians’ help and they’d refuse you, and we would be out of options before we’d even started.”

“You were right. That’s exactly what would have happened, Nor.” He took my hand and led me to the bed. “I’m used to being the one in charge, whether I want to be or not. But I’m smart enough to recognize when I’m wrong.”