“Twinkle is a titanoboa,” Sandor explained. “And she’s been trained to guide the royal chariot through the Imperial Pathways. Queen Hylda wanted to ensure that Brielle returns to Gildingham with proper honor.”

In her head, Sophie’s brain was screaming, YOU CHOSE TO TAKE ME IN THE GIANT SNAKE CARRIAGE OF DOOM WHEN WE COULD’VE LIGHT LEAPED?!

But she’d caught what he said about Brielle arriving with proper honor. If a monster-size snake offered any sort of tribute for Brielle’s sacrifice, she would ride in the carriage all day, every day, without complaint.

A small whimper did slip through her lips, though, when Sandor led them past Twinkle’s enormous head. The massive snake could’ve swallowed her whole without needing to unhinge her jaw, and her forked tongue kept flicking around Sophie, like she was trying to take a taste.

A seamless door in the carriage slid open, and two goblins greeted Sandor with a solemn nod as Sophie and her parents climbed in. There were no seats inside. Just a massive golden coffin and narrow spaces to stand on either side.

“Hold on to this,” Sandor said, grabbing one of the golden ropes tied to the top of the carriage and handing it to Sophie. Grady and Edaline copied him, coiling the rope around one of their wrists and clinging to Sophie with their other hands as the two new goblins shouted a command to get Twinkle moving.

The carriage had no windows—the only light came from a glowing golden orb set into the ceiling—and the ride was so smooth and steady, it almost felt like they were floating. A low rumble reverberated through the silence, and Sophie counted the passing seconds, surprised when they came to a stop after only five hundred and thirty-nine.

“I didn’t realize we were so close to Gildingham,” Sophie said.

“We weren’t. A team of Technopaths helped engineer Twinkle’s chariot to allow her to move at supersonic speeds. We’ll disembark after they carry out Brielle.”

One of the goblins they’d traveled with slid open the door, flooding the carriage with buttery sunlight as he and the other goblin lifted the coffin.

Sophie focused on the view—her first glimpse of the goblin city, where intricate gilded buildings had been built across the rolling green foothills. The architecture had an almost fragile feel, with so many arches and pillars and windows and balconies that they looked ready to float away on a breeze. A golden lake shimmered in the distance, flowing into a river that shone like the sun. And at the top of the highest peak, a golden step pyramid loomed against the horizon.

“That’s Queen Hylda’s palace,” Sandor said, following Sophie’s gaze. “And once we’re out of the carriage you’ll see the Hall of Heroes, where we’ll be going for Brielle’s presentation tomorrow. The queen invited you to have dinner with her tonight, but I asked her to give you the night to settle in before facing any formalities.”

“She wasn’t offended, was she?” Grady asked.

“If anything, she was relieved. Generally the night a soldier is lost is a night of reflection for our queen. She only offered because she didn’t want to seem an unfriendly hostess.”

Edaline smiled sadly. “Then thanks for declining. We’re going to have to rely on you for proper goblin diplomacy.”

“I’ll do my best. For instance, as we step out of this carriage and you see the crowd gathered below, it would be considered proper to offer a solemn wave.”

“Crowd?” Sophie asked as Sandor slowly exited. Sure enough, when she followed, she could see that Twinkle had brought them to a level of the city halfway up one of the rolling hills, and the golden streets below were lined with goblin warriors who’d gathered to see them. Some were shirtless with black pants and weapons, like Sandor always wore, but most were adorned in gleaming golden armor.

“This way,” Sandor said after Sophie gave the crowd what she hoped counted as a “solemn wave.” He pressed his palm against a flat panel in the center of golden door set into the mountain. “Don’t worry, my house is much bigger on the inside.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Not only was the house at least ten bedrooms—but everything was designed for someone seven feet tall. All the doorknobs were closer to Sophie’s shoulder height, and she had to stand on her tiptoes in order to climb onto any of the chairs. And it was so fancy. Shimmering rugs. Tasseled curtains. Intricately carved furniture, all in the same warm yellow tone.

“I’m assuming there’s a reason everything’s gold,” Sophie said.

Sandor nodded. “Gold is a weak metal. But we are strong. We don’t build houses or walls for protection. We build them to have a place that inspires awe—a place worth defending.”

“Well, it’s incredible,” Edaline told him. “I’d heard stories of the golden city, but I’d never pictured it quite this spectacular.”

Sandor wandered to one of the windows. “I wish you could be here under better circumstances. But I suppose it’s nice to be home. Della should be here with your clothes and things soon. In the meantime, I’ll show you to your rooms.”

Grady and Edaline were given their own suite at the end of the longest hall, and Sophie grabbed one more hug before following Sandor to where she’d be staying, in a room with a gilded four-poster bed covered in golden linens. She knew she should probably rest. But as soon as she was alone, she did something much more important.

I don’t care if this is a bad time, she transmitted. We need to talk. NOW.

She repeated the call at least a dozen times before Keefe’s voice rushed into her head.

Are Grady and Edaline okay?

Fury churned as fast as the queasiness in her stomach. I take it that means you knew?

Not until a couple of hours ago, when Fintan got a hail from King Dimitar.

So the king is behind this? She rubbed the spot under her ribs, where her tangled emotions used to be. She’d released them when she inflicted, leaving her chest cold and empty.

I don’t know, Keefe said. All Fintan told us is that Dimitar will not be our ally. I’ve been trying to find a way to reach you ever since. I’m so sor—

Don’t! Sophie interrupted. Brielle’s dead. Sorry isn’t going to change that.

Okay, I don’t know who Brielle is, but—

She was Grady’s bodyguard. THAT’S how close the ogres came to catching him. And you were supposed to warn us!