of silver thread woven into his hair. Why did he have it?
“Wine,” he barked, and the servant dashed to bring him one of the goblets from the table.
“Great Ignitus,” Tor started, “we can leave, if you wish.”
Ignitus snatched the goblet from the servant and downed the whole thing before chucking it across the floor. He blinked at Tor, frowned, and looked at Ash.
“Nikau.” There was tangible relief in Ignitus’s voice. “That champion of my brother’s—Madoc. His latest win was . . . troubling.” He glanced at the stone floor and walls with a grimace. Geoxus could easily spy here—it was his palace, crafted of his stones. “You were with him the night of the ball. Tell me—what have you noticed about him?”
Now you want my help? Why? she wanted to ask. She wanted to beg him for an answer.
Ash’s throat was raw from holding back tears. She felt Tor watching her, waiting.
Judgment and wariness from Tor; eagerness and hope from Ignitus.
The emotions made no sense, and churned the already confusing thoughts in her head.
What would Ignitus do if she told him the truth: that Madoc might be descended from a goddess Ignitus supposedly helped kill long ago? How would he react if she dropped to her knees and told him how much Kula was suffering, about the poverty and disease? Had anyone ever brought their concerns to him before? Or had they stayed silent out of fear rather than working with him to better their country?
Ash’s eyes fell to the ground. Her heart beat so hard it ached.
Remember who killed your mother.
Stavos had killed her. But Ash remembered the way Char hadn’t even noticed Ash in the hall before her fight. Her stilted conversation, the loss of focus as she bore unimaginable burdens.
Ignitus did that.
Ignitus did that.
Rook had sobbed on the arena sands, his pockets heavy with marbles he would never get to give to his son. Ignitus had chosen to tell Rook about Lynx just before that fight.
Ignitus did that.
Heat sparked in Ash’s chest. It sent feeling into her numb limbs.
Good intentions or not, misunderstanding or lies, Ignitus was still a monster.
Ash gulped in the air, tinged with the scent of crackled chicken skin and grape wine. “Actually, Great Ignitus, I overheard Madoc tell his attendant that he would be meeting someone in one of Crixion’s poor districts tonight. As you said—he is troubling. There is more going on with him. With your permission, I would like to follow him and find out what.”
Ignitus puckered his lips. “I do not like the idea of my champion venturing into this pit of a city alone. I’ll send one of my guards to follow Madoc.”
He started to snap for his guards when Ash’s chest bucked.
“If Madoc sees them, they will have no good reason to be following him,” she said. “But if he discovers me, it won’t be unusual. I already have a rapport with him.”
Ignitus hesitated.
Tor stepped forward. “I will go with her, Great Ignitus. Surely your two strongest champions can handle the dregs of Crixion.”
That earned something that was almost a smile. “Indeed.” Ignitus held for another long moment. Finally, he nodded. “Report to me as soon as you are back.”
Ash exhaled and bowed her head. “Thank you, Great Ignitus.”
Tor took Ash’s arm and guided her to the door. His face was awash with desperation, wanting to get out before Ignitus changed his mind—but Ash’s eyes dropped to the papers Ignitus had thrown in his anger.
Remaining Wheat Holdings, one read. The list beneath was painfully short.
Another. Alternative Fishing Ports. Only three locations were listed on that sheet.
Ash looked up at Ignitus.
He too was staring at the papers on his floor. His hand was on the back of his neck, rubbing out a kink in an exhausted motion that was far too human.
Tor pulled the door open and dragged Ash into the hall. Guards started to follow when Ignitus shouted from within, “Let them pass!”
For the first time in Ash’s life, she walked away from her god with only Tor by her side.
“Good thinking,” Tor told her. “Are you all right?”
She clenched her jaw. Bunched her hands into fists.
“Yes,” Ash said. She couldn’t look Tor in the eyes. “Let’s go meet Madoc and Elias.”
Seventeen
Madoc
THE HIRED CARRIAGE rocked to a stop at the palace gates. Inside the cab, Madoc turned a gold coin over his knuckles, hoping that Geoxus would agree to see him without Lucius or his suddenly supportive father.