Queen Rona said nothing, only turned away, her face even more pale than normal as she dropped her eyes to the floor. Kit got the distinct feeling there was something more her mother wasn’t telling her, but it would be futile to probe deeper into the situation now, especially from this angle. “Two of my guards lost their lives, Mother. I’d like to do something for their families. Tem has two children, and Lok was very close to his mother.”

“A pity,” Rona said, though her voice didn’t echo her sentiments. “These men swear their allegiance, promise to give their lives to protect us if necessary, Katrinetta. Think of how...