Someone crashed into Cal and pinned her to the stone wall behind her. And iron shackle was clamped down on her wrist and the fire went out.

"Cal, relax. You need to calm down," said Matias.

"He tortured her! He tortured his best friend! He tortured my mother! He tortured the Queen!" shrieked Cal.

"Look at me!" Cal looked at him, her fury dying down. The look on Matias's face told her enough; he'd heard everything. "I will deal with him, but I can't do that if he's a pile of ash. Now, will you let me do my job?"

Matias was close. She wanted him closer. Cal hung her head. Matias gently took her wrist and unlocked the iron shackle. Cal's heart fluttered at the touch of his fingers. 

"I'll see you later?" he asked, offering half of a smile.

She nodded. "Yes, you will."

They stayed that way for a moment longer before Matias took a few steps back. Cal started walking away. 

"We need to talk," she heard Matias hiss to Miles.

She made it halfway down the stairs when she spotted Dugu.

"Dugu? Can I help you?" she asked as she approached.

Dugu fidgeted with the cuff of his tunic nervously. "I was wondering if we could talk out in the gardens. Just the two of us, if you wouldn't mind."

"Of course," she said.

They walked down several flights of stairs and out into the gardens. 

"What did you want to talk to me about?" she asked.

"You don't want to marry any of the men that travelled here, do you?" he said. When she didn't answer, "I'm okay with it if you don't. I'm not going to force you into a marriage you don't want. And I've seen how the captain looks at you."

Cal's head whipped towards Dugu. "What are you on about?"

Dugu scoffed. "You can't possibly be so clueless, Your Highness. I saw how he panicked when you fell. He stayed up through all hours of the night by your bedside for five days. I would watch him mutter prayers to the gods that you would wake up. If that's not true love, then I don't know what is."

Matias loved her. For how long, she didn't know.

"I take it that you're in love with him, too," said Dugu.

She didn't answer. Couldn't answer. 

"Your Highness, if I might try to make this decision a little easier for you: Follow your heart," he said.

Dugu started walking away. 

"Dugu," she said. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at her. "Thank you."

Dugu smiled. "Of course."

Cal stared at Axel's son. Was he still a people-pleaser? Possibly. But Dugu Warren would become a great man to fill his father's shoes.

—

"How much of that did you overhear?" asked Miles, his back turned as he looked out the window.

"All of it," said Matias.

What Malary Roman had said was true—partially. Miles Gomez was a murderer—a mass murderer, at that. Whether or not he killed Gladys Roman was up for contention.

Miles opened his mouth to ask a question, but Matias cut him off. "I'll be the one asking questions, thanks."

Miles sighed. "Very well, Captain."

Matias watched his father fidget with his silver wedding band. "Look me in the eyes when you answer this," he said, his voice breaking. "Did you kill her? Did you kill mom?"

Miles turned, staring his haunted grey eyes into Matt's. "No."

"Did you torture Queen Marilyn?"

"Do you know what a witch is, Matias?"

Matias snarled, "I ask the questions."

Miles narrowed his eyes. "Humour me, Matt."

Matias rolled his eyes, scowling. "I know what a witch is. They're being who wield dark magic and do dealings with demons. They corrupt and are corrupted."

Miles smiled. "It was a witch who made me cause so many people so much pain. A witch who made me kill so many. I was the most notorious of all the killers enslaved to her will. And, yes, I did torture the Queen—unknowing and unwillingly.

"I have tried in every way I can think of to win back the people's trust—to redeem myself." His smile fell. "Some days, I wonder if laying down my own life for the sake of this kingdom will be what finally convinces the people that I'm not the monster the witch forces me to be twenty years ago. Unfortunately, that same witch is still out there. If she's dead or alive is up for debate."

"Did you murder Gladys Roman?"

"The witch was too strong. I tried to fight it, but Gladys died in the end."

His heart dropped. He killed Gladys. The madwoman Malary was right.

"How long has Cal had magic for?" asked Miles.

"About six days now," he answered.

Miles swore viciously.

"Father, what's wrong?"

Miles braces his hands on the bureau. "You need to start conscripting men. Get more guards on the rotations."

"Father, is everything alright? It could just be your cannon shock acting up again." It was a lie and Matias knew it. He didn't want to acknowledge the true cause of Cal's sudden magic.

Miles shook his head. "This isn't canon shock, Matias. The Wards around Tenebrarum have been breached. The Queen of Darkness is coming."