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“Why are you arresting us?” Thicket demanded. “I told you. We weren’t the ones who harmed the phoenix.”

“Lavender Vogeli is your sister, is she not? That makes you and your entire kingdom guilty by association. In accordance with the Treaty, Vindrya must pay.”

“Lavender does not represent Vindrya,” Thicket seethed.

The Emperor’s eyes were hard and unforgiving as he said, “We have a saying here in the Desert Kingdom. We are of one blood. As a people, we are united. The actions of one reflect the actions of many, especially the actions of those from the royal family.”

Thicket glanced at Marcellus, panicked. His jaw ticked, yet for once he looked to be at just as much of a loss as she was. Her eyes found Alouette. Her attention remained fixated on Bern and the knife leveled at her throat. Alouette may have been powerful, but she couldn’t combat the threat to Bern’s life.

They were stuck.

Lavender had lied. She hadn’t been the one to tell the Emperor about Elian and Alouette. He had figured it out on his own—and Thicket had played right into her sister’s hand.

She knew Thicket wouldn’t be able to stop herself from saving them. Now, she had been caught just like the rest of them, leaving Vindrya vulnerable and giving Lavender just the thing she needed to convince her people that Thicket wasn’t qualified to be queen.

“Then at least free Dymree’s Crown Princess,” Thicket said, doing her best not to sound too desperate. “They have nothing to do with this.” If she could at least pardon Alouette, she could still fulfill her promise to King Artus and provide Vindrya with an army, even if she couldn’t be there to fight herself.

“You have no proof that it was your sister who killed the phoenix,” the Emperor said. “Until we can discover the truth, Dymree is still the main suspect. If either you or the Dymrian Princess make another attempt to escape, I will take it as a declaration of war.”

Everything was falling apart. All of this had been to secure Dymree’s alliance but now she had lost even that.

Why are you going to such lengths to procure Dymree’s army? Why not just go to Minloc yourself?

Because. Thicket wasn’t enough.

Or at least… That was what Lavender had whispered to her every night since she had revealed Thicket’s memories were gone.

Thicket had been so desperate to prove herself and reclaim what she had lost that she had forgotten where this all started.

Jealousy. A prophecy about two sisters. A curse.

You have blue fire. Pure blue fire. There is not a single soul in this world who you cannot beat.

Alouette was right. Thicket didn’t need an army. She didn’t even need her people’s acceptance. She just needed to finally stop hiding and face her sister.

“You are right,” Thicket said. “Lavender is a part of Vindrya. Her actions were a result of failure on our end. I want to make it right.”

“And how, may I ask, do you expect to do that?” the Emperor said.

Thicket squared her shoulders. “Let me go. I will apprehend Lavender and bring her to you. She can testify for her crimes and verify that what I claim is true. If it is, you will uphold the Treaty and we will continue to live in peace. If that is not enough, then let me bear the burden of whatever remaining retribution you seek. But my people are innocent and do not deserve to suffer any more.”

The Emperor raised a single brow. “You do understand that the penalty for killing a phoenix must be paid with a life.”

Marcellus opened his mouth, most likely to argue, but she shot him a warning look. “I understand,” she said.

The Emperor studied her. His lips curved upwards. “Your loyalty is admirable, Princess Thicket Rose Vogeli. However, what is to keep you from breaking your promise?”

Elian stepped forward. All eyes fell on him as he said, “I will stay in her place. Consider my presence reassurance.”

Thicket’s blood iced over. What was he doing?

“You do understand,” the Emperor cautioned, “that if she does not return I do not intend to release you?”

Elian lifted his head, jaw set with unwavering resolution. “I do.”

“Very well then. I accept. However I require one more individual to stay. One, to assume the Crown Princess’ place. The other as collateral if she fails.”

“I’ll do it.” Thicket was shocked to see Bern. Even with the knife pressed against her throat, her eyes burned with determination. Across from her, Alouette’s eyes glittered.