Page 87 of Realm of Thieves

“Brynla’s aunt doesn’t know of its existence for sure, though,” Steiner says when I’ve finished, his eyes excited yet cautious.

“Only what others have said,” I say. “So I’d wager no one knows much of anything. That’s why it’s a risk. But what isn’t a risk?”

I’d also wager that Dalgaard wanted to use Brynla for this exact thing. He chose her because of where she came from, his plans no different than mine. ButIalso know that there really is something special about Brynla, something I’m certain her aunt was about to confirm before that unfortunate turn of events. I’m not about to voice that to my siblings, though. Not until I talk to Brynla about it.

“Well, obviously Brynla must want her revenge on the convent,” Solla says.

“She does,” I say cautiously.

Vidar stares at me for a moment before he shakes his head. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Andor. She doesn’t know, does she?”

“I’ve been a little preoccupied.”

Solla gasps.

“She’s been here for a month,” Vidar points out, jabbing his finger into the whorls on the table.

“I wanted to make sure that it was true before I roped her into it.”

“You’re going to have to tell her soon,” Steiner says. “Otherwise she’s going to feel even further betrayed.”

“Further betrayed?” I repeat, getting to my feet. “I haven’t betrayed her.”

“You drugged her,” he says. “You took her back to the ship against her will and left the body of her aunt behind. You should have at least taken her aunt’s body with you. You’re strong enough to have handled the both of them.”

Guilt stabs me through the ribs.

“I wasn’t thinking,” I admit quietly, sitting back down in my seat. “All I could do was get Brynla out of there. She was my priority, not her aunt.”

“That might be one reason why she’s not coming out of her room,” Solla mutters.

“Or it could be that she’s grieving,” I tell her sharply.

“You need to get her to see Sae Balek,” Vidar says. “Take some of the resin, have the visions. It’s the only way she’ll be able to channel her grief.”

“Maybe she doesn’t need to channel her grief,” I say, feeling annoyed at his suggestion, as if grief is something to use. “Maybe she needs to just deal with it as it comes, day by day.”

“We don’t have time to deal with it day by day,” Vidar says sternly. “You said it yourself: if the Black Guard is behind Ellestra’s assassination, then they’re going to be on the lookout for you. Perhaps they don’t know your plans to steal the egg, but they’re going to expect youstepping foot on their shores.” He pauses. “Which is why I’m going to come with you.”

I balk at that. The last thing I want—and need—is my brother’s help.

“You’re not,” I tell him, though my protest is feeble.

“Give me one reason,” he says with a patient look.

I glance at Solla and Steiner but they seem to be waiting for an answer, same as he is.

Because this is my thing, I want to say.I’m the only one who can do this and I can’t risk anything happening to you.

Instead I say, “You’re needed here. And this doesn’t involve you.”

“If it involves you, dear brother, it involves me,” he says, a small, slightly smug smile tugging at his lips. “And I’m sure Father will see things the same way. If you’re going to Esland to perform a robbery, you might as well turn it into a heist.”

Chapter 25

Brynla

The moon is keeping meawake. Rotund and tinged with blue, it sits in the dark sky just above the castle spires, slicing through the half-closed curtain. The light illuminates Lemi as he sleeps curled up beside the bed, turning his black coat into shades of indigo. I would get up and close the curtain but I couldn’t move, even if I wanted to. My body feels depleted, my soul outside myself. The longer I stare at the moon, the more hollow I feel, as if it’s shining a light on my loss.

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