Black smoke rose around them, circling higher and higher until it flooded Antonia's sight completely. Taking a slow breath, she focused her mind, thinking of the wine cellar. It had been a while since she had snuck down there, but she remembered it well enough to form an image.

When the smoke cleared, they were no longer in Antonia's room but in a dimly lit corridor. Torches lined stone walls with barrels tucked away on either side of her. Antonia looked down at her hands. Nothing was there except for wisps of black smoke that formed around her when she moved. Checking to make sure nobody else was around, Antonia took a few steps forward. Black wisps came from beside her, and she knew Octavia was near her as they moved past the barrels of wine, where bottles were all lined up neatly with labels hanging off them. Antonia's hand went right through when she tried to touch one, the smoke appearing before fading away again.

"-think I could drink my own wine!" a voice said. Antonia froze. She knew that voice. The lights flickered around her, and she moved down a staircase. "Preposterous!" Savoy continued, voice the epitome of indignation. Antonia peered around the corner before continuing her journey down the stairs. At the bottom, she could see two figures huddled in the corner.

"This is no longer your wine," Friedrich said, running a hand over his face. He stood to the side, his hand on his hip where his axe sat. Savoy's wrists were rubbed raw from where he was chained to a wooden chair. Antonia froze, feeling a piece of her ache at seeing the discomfort in his face as he shifted in the chair, trying to remain upright. "And this isn't what I came to speak of-"

"It is very much my wine, boy. I paid for it."

Despite the situation, Antonia almost laughed at someone as old as Friedrich being called 'boy' in such a manner. She supposed she shouldn't put it past Savoy to make even adults seem young next to him.

"Please," Friedrich said calmly. "We need to bring our discussions to some closure. Do we have your support?"

Savoy snorted. His hair was matted, beard a tangled mess, and eyes bloodshot. Antonia bit her lip. If she spoke, her words wouldn't be heard in these walls, but people outside Antonia's room might hear, and the last thing she needed was someone knocking down her door to find her using black magic.

"My support?" Savoy repeated. The chains rattled as he adjusted again. "You have come into my home, kept me prisoner, and told the king I betrayed him. You think that this warrants my support?" he asked. Friedrich sighed. "I have done all you asked at the hand of coercion."

Antonia inched closer. Now that she knew where Savoy was, she should focus on searching other parts of the castle. She could use her magic to find escape routes. Octavia could sneak Savoy out while she took watch.

But, for whatever reason, she found herself unwilling to move. Antonia was trapped to watch the scene folding out in front of her as Friedrich leaned over to grab the arms of the chair and lean down so he could meet his captor's eyes.

"The lords all have powerful forces, Savoy. They have armies, magic, and money. Even with the king abdicating, they insist on supporting the monarchy-"

"Then it sounds like you have quite the fight ahead of you, commander," Savoy interrupted flatly. Antonia's heart sped up. She took another step forward, noticing the black smoke to her right also moving. The fire flickered again, allowing shadows to hover over Savoy's face. "How ironic that you've made yourself a military leader, child. We both know what happened last time."

Something flashed across Friedrich's face. Pain. Anger. Friedrich hovered over him. "I think you misunderstand me," he said. Savoy tilted his head up to meet his gaze. "If you side with the revolution, many lords will follow. There will eventually be peace." Savoy kept staring, and something cold washed over Antonia as she realized what Friedrich's next words would be. "If you do not side with us, the only other way to keep the king's supporters at bay is to give them nothing to support. Do you understand me?"

Savoy didn't answer at first. His eyes were fixed on Friedrich without so much as blinking. "You wouldn't dare." Savoy yanked at the chains - the first sign of outrage touching his voice. "Your wife would-"

"Don't speak of Jivanta," Friedrich said, voice rising. "You have no right to speak of her when-" He stopped talking, taking a long breath. Savoy almost looked sorry before pursing his lips. "I do not wish for bloodshed. I know you love the royal family as your own." Savoy looked away at that. Antonia stepped forward again, but the movement caused more smoke to gather around her. She paused again, but not before Savoy's eyes snapped up. Antonia held her breath.

Friedrich didn't seem to notice. He was waiting for a response, hands behind his back with wary patience. Savoy kept staring at the space where Antonia stood. Did he know she was here?

Could he know?

Savoy had always been close with her parents. He was also the most well-traveled, flitting from continent to continent. It occurred to Antonia that Savoy would know most about that whispered prophecy her family so feared. It would be Savoy whom her parents could trust with that information, knowing his loyalty to the crown and to them.

"Well," Savoy said slowly. He looked back up. "I wish I had a way to warn the Thalestris family that their lives are at stake... because I will not take your side, Friedrich. I will not betray those I have taken an oath to serve."

A shaky breath left Antonia's lips. No. No, please. No. Friedrich's hand clenched around the handle of his axe.

Lie, Antonia thought desperately. Please lie. Just lie. Your honor is not worth this. Say you'll take his side.

She would scream, but it would be useless. Savoy had made his decision. Friedrich knew it, too. Antonia placed a hand over her mouth to keep herself silent. Savoy glanced once more at the sliver of smoke that appeared and grimaced.

"Be quick, commander. Rats are lurking about," he said, voice oddly light.

"You're sure this is your decision?" Friedrich asked quietly. A long pause followed. "Please don't make me do this." Antonia's lips trembled beneath her hand. Savoy didn't waver. Her heart thudded wildly, trapped in black smoke, unable to intervene. "In that case... I'm sorry it ends this way," Friedrich told him quietly. "But we have no more use for you."

Savoy only leaned back, giving access to his neck. Friedrich didn't bother to draw it out. He stood on one side of the chair and brought out his axe. Until that moment, Antonia hadn't bothered to pay the weapon too much attention. It was long, the leather-bound handle extending about a foot with a dual blade at the end, glittering silver with intricate carvings in the metal.

Friedrich heaved it up, holding the axe over his shoulder and swinging like a logger might cut down a tree. With a grunt and horrible cutting sound, blood splattered across the wall.