“I will not,” Kwan returned. “It’s not personal, Princess. You’ve just scratched the surface—if you really want to join, you’ll find your way in.”
Lunelle pointed to the slim dagger between them.
“Was this for show, then?”
He pushed it toward her, folding the blade into a slot in the handle.
“It’s yours now. My Plutonian captain’s insignia is carved into the handle. Whomever you bind yourself to will recognize it and know you can be trusted.”
She took the blade, turning it over in her hand. It was lighter than she expected, a scrawling rose piercing a crown carved into the handle.
“And once I’m oathbound?”
“You find your Lunar captain, and you prepare yourself. Revolutions are never bloodless endeavors, Lunelle.”
She rubbed her thumb against the intricate carving, letting it warm to her touch.
“Thank you,” she said, tucking it into her cloak. “I’ll see you again soon.”
“I hope that’s true,” Kwan said.
“And where wereyou at such a late hour?”
She heard her mother’s voice before she saw her proud shoulders held gracefully as she read from one of her daily reports.
“I was out with Yallara,” Lunelle said.
“Of course,” Oestera sighed, but did not push her further. “Your sister is up to no good, as usual.” She waved one of Tula’s missives in the air between them. “Seems she injured herself falling off a horse.”
“Astra?” Lunelle asked as she peeled her cloak from her shoulders and handed it to Lura, who waited at the door. “What happened to spook the horse? It must have been extreme if Astra couldn’t handle it.”
Oestera cast a glare at her eldest daughter. “Tula believes there was a snake. But Tula, unfortunately, is a fool.”
“She’s not afool,” Lunelle insisted, sitting across from her mother. “She trusts my sister. Something you might consider trying one day.”
She smiled, attempting to keep her tone light and playful, but she heard the edge forming on her tongue.
“I trust your sister,” Oestera said, leaning back in her seat and pursing her lips. “I trust her to lie straight to Tula’s face so convincingly she doesn’t think twice. Your father… however… knows her better. She went to Ellume with the Mercurian commander.”
“Luxuros?” Lunelle asked, trying to think of her sister’s most recent mention of him. They were all quite critical.
“Yes, the Solarian.”
Lunelle bristled. “That’s quite the accusation, Mother.”
“It’s not an accusation, it’s a fact. And if you couldn’t sense it on him the moment he entered the palace, I’ve failed as your mother.”
Lunelle rose from her seat, a veil of sweat forming against her skin.
“And you’re just fine with this? You’re perfectly content to sell Astra to a king who keeps that kind of company?”
“Sell is a harsh term,” Oestera said, laying her book on the cushion beside her. “I merely created the right circumstances for them to meet.”
“You forced her hand, youknowyou did! I don’t understand how you could do this?—”
“Lunelle,” Oestera said, a command.Stand down.“Your defense of your sister is admirable, but do not fret. I have plans in place for Astra that you do notwantto understand right now. One day, it will all be clear.”
Lunelle’s chest tightened—the fabric of her dress felt much stiffer than it had moments ago.
