The Bloodforged by Erin Lindsey

anything, things should be simpler there. The speakers have only five years to build alliances and make enemies, and then their terms in office are done. Here, the same families have been plotting and scheming for centuries.”
    â€œAs they have in Onnan. Do not be fooled by lofty talk of democracy, Lady Black. The Onnani have their dynasties, whatever their pretensions to the contrary. The same handful of families has been churning out speakers for generations. Nor is family the only claim upon their loyalties.”
    â€œThe leagues.”
    The hood rippled in assent. “That is another, though by no means the most influential. True power lies with the secret societies, and those cut across league lines. A speaker who represents the Worker’s Alliance might be a Son of the Revolution, while another Alliance member is a Shield. If forced to choose, they will side with their society brothers rather than their league members.”
    â€œSeems simple enough. All you have to do is find out what a secret society’s agenda is, and you know where its members stand.”
    The grating laughter sounded again. “Discovering a secretsociety’s agenda is a quest akin to finding the Lost Kingdom. They are called
secret
for a reason, my lady. Even their membership is kept in the strictest confidence. Those in my trade do a brisk business in Onnan, as you can imagine. And then there is the religious angle. Most high-ranking members of the Republicana are also priests.”
    Alix swore under her breath. Liam had enough trouble fitting in at his own brother’s court. How in Eldora’s name was he ever going to navigate his way through
that
?
    â€œI could accompany His Highness,” Saxon said, as though reading her thoughts. “I have a strong network in Onnan City, even stronger than in the Trionate. I could be of tremendous value to him.”
    â€œI have no doubt, but unfortunately, I need you here.”
    Saxon gave a thoughtful grunt. “You fear instability in His Majesty’s absence.”
    â€œWouldn’t you?”
    â€œThings are not as uncertain as they once were. War has a way of bringing a nation together.”
    â€œThe king’s position may be more stable than it was, but that isn’t saying a whole lot. He nearly lost his crown. However much the war may have glossed over the cracks, they’re still there.”
    â€œIndeed.”
    â€œI need you to keep an eye on Highmount and the council.” She paused, threw him an arch look. “Good thing you have your tick to help you.”
    â€œMy tick may change his mind about feeding me information once he realises how much power he holds under the new dispensation. His ambition is what allowed me to recruit him in the first place. It could turn him from an asset to a liability very quickly.”
    â€œIn which case, you’ll know what to do.”
    The hood twisted to face her. Dark eyes stared out from the shadows, glinting like moonlight on coal. “Be careful, Lady Black. Some stains never wash away. Some paths, once set upon, cannot be turned from.”
    â€œYou’re giving me advice now?”
    â€œI’ve been giving you advice from the beginning, and you would do well to heed it.” He turned, vanishing within thehood once again. “I will do whatever you ask of me. It is the privilege for which you pay. But consider carefully before you choose the way of blood, because it only ends in one thing.”
    â€œAnd what’s that?”
    â€œBlood.”
    Alix looked away. Her gaze wandered over the glittering burlap that lined the rosebushes to fall upon the fractured glass surface of the frozen duck pond. She flexed her shoulders, as though banishing a chill. “It’s tempting, though, isn’t it, to think that all our troubles could be ended at a stroke, if the right person were to die? Sadik, for instance, or Varad.”
    â€œKilling the Priest did not