The turbulence outside was almost as rampant as her thoughts, rumbling between Sorein's lies and her Mother's corrupt protection. Iliya auto piloted, following as Noah half-dragged her through the hallways.

He halted in front of the billiard room.

She stopped behind him, unsure of his objective.

Noah stuck his head inside, surveying the room before gesturing her in.

His quick, secretive movements were fluid and precise as they ducked into the back corner where several leather couches faced one another in three fourths a square.

"Sorein gave his statement today," Noah said in a hushed voice, constantly looking over his shoulder. "He hasn't mentioned your condition or your association with King Ravellier yet."

Iliya frowned. "The public jury is calling for a Ritual, Noah. A Ritual."

His brows furrowed in confusion.

She had to remind herself no matter how clever he might be, Noah did not grow up in this foreign country. He was raised in a world of mortals, where sacrifices weren't a nobel and honorable punishment.

Iliya refused to give into the tears again as she forced herself to explain.

"When a male or female chosen by the Gods has already been sealed, their lives are given in their name instead of corporal punishment."

His mouth pressed into a tight line, visibly paling.

Noah continued to stare at the door with great interest, either waiting for someone or staying guarded, but Iliya couldn't decipher which.

"After some thought, I came up with a plan," he whispered, ducking in closer to her. His blonde hair swept over his gaze. "I've given Andrin my resignation."

"You what?!?"

Noah clamped a hand over her mouth with a hard glare. "You heard me."

Her heartbeat desperately clambered for a way out of her chest. "Why in Heilos would you do that?"

"For several reasons. I cannot hide behind Sorein for the rest of my days, nor can I serve Azuris when it is not my home," Noah explained, carefully lowering his hand. "Don't feel guilty, Iliya. I've submitted my application to RIM."

She blinked.

A human participating in the guild?

"Is that even possible?"

His answering smirk said enough.

"I don't understand."

He sighed, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Think about it. As an agent of RIM, I'll be able to fulfill my duties to my Father while being allowed to travel overseas. Each Officer is given two main countries as their domain and currently due to the treaties, they are looking for an Agent to travel in and out of Zavere."

Iliya knew she sounded like a fool with the stutters escaping her, but the idea was insane. Even if they could find a way to escape to Zavere, what would be the point? The implications of fleeing were far worse than standing their ground.

"But that won't exonerate Sorein. There is no point in fleeing to a King who may or may not even know I exist, not to mention how guilty it would make him look."

Noah's gaze hardened, meeting Iliya's in quiet reckoning.

She frowned, waiting for him to continue.

When he didn't, her mind buzzed with thoughts.

Iliya glanced down at her bandaged arm, remembering the runes scoured into her skin beneath the damp canvas. Smudges of blood still soaked the edges. She was in no condition to escape, not in the way Noah was suggesting.

"You don't mean for him to flee," she murmured. "Sorein will stay in Chiori Faire."

He nodded, casting a glance back over her shoulder. "I've mapped everything out if you're ready to listen."

Iliya gripped her robe tightly to her torso, rocking in her seat uncomfortably. She bit her lip and gestured for him to go on.

"Solraidas is being hit the hardest with spirits and Taqrias. Aid from every country is being shipped over the Yinae come sundown tomorrow. Once the shipyard is empty, it should be easy enough to board one of the older Tankers–" he explained rapidly, taking a breath. "I've been working on a few loose ends, but if you can trust me, I'll have one of them marked for you."

"Marked how?"

Noah twisted his hands together, lips pursing. "It'll be obvious. Trust me."

"This is crazy," Iliya muttered.

"All you have to do is give them enough doubt about Sorein's involvement in Azuris."

An idea tugged at her, starting in her gut and swarming into her mind. Impulsive. He'd always called her impulsive, but this would take it to a whole new level.

Iliya knew they needed more than proof at this point. Destry would have made sure to discredit her and manipulate the evidence away from word of mouth. She needed something big.

Something dangerous.

She thought she was going to be sick as she looked down at her bandaged body one last time. Sorein would do it for her. No matter how much he deceived her, she knew he'd do it for her. He'd always protected her.

Now it was her turn.

Iliya slowly pushed herself onto her feet and nodded. "Okay," she said. "I know what I have to do."

"Then we should get you back to the Infirmary," Noah agreed, standing. "The less I know the better. I may have Diplomatic immunity for the time being, but I want plausible deniability on my side as well."

She understood, slowly walking back into the hallway.

They would always look to Sorein so long as nothing proved his innocence.

She needed an action worse, something temporarily irreparable.

Her gut sank with the realization of what she was about to do. About the treason she was planning on committing.

Iliya found herself shivering with fear as they found their way back into her room, Aida blessing them with Rhydian's soft snoring. She had no idea how they managed to beat the dawn, the storm outside swallowing the dawn.

She took a deep breath and climbed back into bed.

Noah came to the side of her bed and leaned close to her ear. "The next trial will begin tomorrow as well," he reminded her. "If you plan to act, you'll need to do so soon."

"Find him for me," Iliya whispered.

"You can't tell him what we're doing, Iliya."

"I know," she said. "I want to see him one last time."

"This isn't goodbye."

"Noah. Find him. Before Rhydian wakes and my mother returns. Let me say goodbye."

Without another word, Noah gave her a wary look and did as she was told, disappearing as silently as he came.

She wasn't certain how long it would take for her friend to return, slumping into the bedding and coaching herself through her next steps.

The Aphyre.

It all came down to the Aphyre.

Rhydian adjusted in his chair, rolling over without waking.

Another heartbreaking crack resonated through her chest. He needed to believe she was a criminal for this to work. His trust in her would be shattered. The thought crippled her so much she almost threw up.

Movement caught the corner of her eye and she knew it was time.

Iliya saw his silver eyes first, Sorein's tall figure rolling through the door like fog over the deepest moors. He appeared to barely breath, his gaze haunted as he crept up to her bedside.

Guilt lurked there, consuming him.

For a long moment, they looked at each other, their soft heartbeats the only sound in the room.

Then she heard it.

Even if the information could make us even?

Iliya swallowed as the memories of their night in the observatory hit her. The pain was eating him up inside. His mother had been dying for years and he'd been forced to carry it alone.

Sorein had tried to tell her despite the consequences, yet here they were.

Two sides of a coin, both choosing secrecy, and here she was about to do it again.

Her instincts took over and she did as her heart said.

Iliya took his hand, watching his fingers clasp around her own, and began to cry.