Chapter 119

Mara’s POV

Ronan’s account arrived in Black Hollow several days after my note. I read it in Elara’s rooms with the door closed, while the courtyard below filled with the ordinary noise of carts and people arguing about supplies. He described the visit to Darius, the requisition he had disguised as an assessment, Ilyra’s objection, and every chance he had to tell me what he intended. He wrote plainly that he had kept the plan from me because he knew I would object.

I had asked for the truth, and he had given it. My hands still shook when I set the letter down. I didn't want to reward him for doing now what he should have done before the relay station. I also couldn't pretend the account was another evasion. Both things were true, and there was no magic in Black Hollow to spare me the work of holding them together.

The wren was in his account. I had drawn it on the