Lilette gestured toward Harshen. “But—”
Brine held up her hand. “Nothing matters until we find out if our witches are still alive. We sent our spies days ago. We should hear back from them soon. If Chen uses our witches to sing, our listeners will pick up on it immediately.” She lowered her hand. “And if he uses them to sing against Grove City or any other nation, I’ll bring every last witch I have down on him until there’s nothing left.” She pivoted and marched away.
“What shall we do with the empress and the prince?” Garen called after her.
“Neither of them leaves the inner city,” Brine replied over her shoulder. “Other than that, treat them as guests.” Guardians and wastrels converged on Brine as she kept walking.
Merlay stepped down from the dais and stood before Lilette, her gaze searching. She seemed barely able to keep her emotions in check. “You’re exhausted. Come with me.”
The crowd swarmed the remaining two Heads. Conversations started up while wastrels bustled about taking notes and carrying messages. Merlay cut through the crowd.
“Wait.” Lilette hurried to catch up with her. “What about my sister and the others?”
“Try not to worry,” Merlay replied, not looking back. “Everything that can be done will be.”
Lilette shot Han an exasperated look. “What exactly can be done?”
“Brine will meet with Leader Farth. They’ll garner reports from the spies and form a plan.”
“But—”
Merlay turned. “At a minimum, our keepers’ safe release and Chen stepping down as emperor will be terms of their unconditional surrender. Trust me.”
“You have to let me help,” Lilette said. “I promised I would go back for her.”
Merlay’s steady gaze met hers. “And what would you do? Will you storm the ramparts? Demand Chen release her? Bring an army down on the city?”
Lilette opened her mouth but no words came out.
Merlay’s expression softened. “The truth is, there’s nothing you can do. Nothing but wait. Let us handle it.” She offered a small smile and strode away.
Lilette didn’t follow her. Jolin was trying to speak with Lilette, but the words circled like sharks—all sharp teeth and terrible speed. Lilette remembered the last time she’d seen Sash. The circle could have held for three, maybe four days. By now, everyone inside was at Chen’s mercy. Lilette knew that mercy all too well.
Han took her elbow to guide her through the press of people. She leaned gratefully into him, closing her eyes to the overwhelming sights and sounds. “I lost my sister before I ever knew her,” she said.
“You don’t know that,” Han replied. “They should be safe for as long as he needs them.”
Lilette felt sunshine on her face. They must be out of the pavilion now. “And if you’re wrong?”
The sounds of the crowd were fading. Lilette blinked up at the canopy, a dark lace of leaves against the indigo sky.
“You haven’t lost everything,” Han finally said.
Chapter 23
The first night Han saw Lilette, he betrayed his brother for her. If that is not proof of love at first sight, I don’t know what is. ~Jolin
The fading light cast shadows across Merlay’s face as she paused in front of the strange tree, steam drifting between the walls of woven sapling trunks. She looked pointedly at Han and gestured to a nearly identical tree set a little farther back. “That’s the men’s bathing tree.”
“You’ll be all right?” he asked Lilette.
Not meeting his gaze, she nodded.
He leaned into her, his breath brushing against her skin. “Take your time. I’ll be waiting.” Lilette watched him walk away.
Merlay folded her arms across her chest. “Jolin, if you will excuse us.”
Jolin shot an apologetic glance at Lilette before disappearing inside.
Merlay studied her. “You look like Sash. The same nose and eyes, but your jaw is finer, and her hair was wavy.”
Tears sprang to Lilette’s eyes. “What was she like?”
“She was smart. A good singer. And she hated fruit.”
“Fruit? Who hates fruit?”
Merlay gave a little chuckle. “I know. She was odd, but she was also my friend.” She was silent for a time. “I remember Lellan—you remember the ones who die.” She took a deep breath. “If only Sash had known—if any of us had known you were alive, we would have come for you.”
Lilette blinked back tears.
“There has been no trace of you for eight years. We all thought you dead.”
“I washed up on an island and was cared for by a man who raised me as his own.”