Rather than leaving Cassius’s room and heading straight for Danyen’s, Kit decided to go back to her own chambers. She needed to catch her breath. It was obvious to her now how Pierce was getting to the queen, and she felt like a simpleton for not thinking of it earlier.

All three of her ladies were in her chambers when she arrived. She sent Seph to gather the items she wanted to put together for Ras and sat down at her desk to begin writing her report for the council. If she had any idea who among its members were with her, she might’ve included more of what Rosy and...