Page 137 of A Vow of Embers

Letting out a deep sigh, he said, “Fine. But I’m coming with you.”

That was fine with me. Then I could see his face immediately after I found my proof.

I pushed past him slightly and heard him mutter, “This is so completely pointless.”

We walked in silence for a couple of minutes until he said, “Why are you so determined to always put yourself in danger?”

“Why is your city dangerous?” I countered. “Overrun with career thieves and murderers?”

“After the harvest season has ended, there are many unemployed men who come into the capital and cause trouble. The professional thievery issues we deal with are usually in the countryside.”

“Why don’t you put those men to work? You need increased security both at the palace and in your city. It was too easy for me to get out.”

He didn’t say anything and only scanned the area, as if searching for threats. It was something of a relief to have him here. If I did come across drunk men looking for trouble, I wouldn’t have to worry. Xander could just glower at them and frighten them off.

“And if you’re so worried about how dangerous your city is, why did you used to sneak out all the time?” I asked.

“I’m me.”

I sensed that there was something more to his story, beyond just checking on Io.

He surprised me by adding, “I have to see my people for myself. I can’t rely on reports from those who are more invested in lining their own pockets.”

No one challenged us as we went to the administration building. It made me wonder if anyone had spotted us and backed off once they’d seen the prince, or if he was wrong and Troas was not as dangerous as he seemed to think it was.

I ignored the happy memories that flooded into me from the last time we were here. The guard had been an older man back then, and considering how easily Xander and I were able to get inside, that seemed to still be the case. We went straight to the lead administrator’soffice, the same one where I’d found the book that talked about priestesses’ dowries.

Xander used a flint to light a candle. “Hurry and look.”

I took the candle and used it to read the labels on various drawers. I found one marked “Tariffs” and pulled out an entry book and skimmed through it until I found the Locrian entries.

The prince read over my shoulder. “Six hundred minae. Just as I said.”

This couldn’t be right. I knew what I had seen. Locris had so little. There had to be some other kind of proof. Maybe one that was hidden. I wished Suri were here. I tried to think about what she would do.

I closed my eyes and emptied my mind. I reached my fingers out and felt ... there.

Something was strange about this drawer. An image of it had popped into my head. I moved the other books aside and brushed my hand along the edges.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I think that there’s ...” My voice died as I felt a latch. I pulled at it and a hinge squeaked as the bottom of the drawer lifted up.

Another book lay at the bottom. It was an entry book, just like the other.

But the Locrian entry was completely different. Sixthousandminae.

His face had paled slightly. “By the goddess, you were right. I’m sorry.”

It was better than besting him in battle. I decided to be a gracious winner and not torment him about it. “Thank you.” But then I couldn’t help it. “I told you so.”

His mouth was set in a grim line as he looked at the true entry book. This was obviously new information to him. I knew then that he wasn’t responsible for it.

“Who is doing this?” I asked.

“My stepmother is the only person who could.” He flipped through the pages, maybe looking for proof of her involvement. “Pelias probablyhelped her. Neither one of their names are in here. She’s too good at covering her tracks.”

“Where are they putting the money? The salt?”