Helio’s POV
My heart leaped into my throat. I stood between my mother and Cindra. Mother glared at me, her teeth bared in anger. I heard Cindra shifting around to hide the book.
“Answer me!” My mother’s voice was sharp and demanding, her gaze darting between the two of us. “What are you doing out of the tower?”
“I’m dealing with her, Mother,” I said calmly, meeting her gaze. “Is right now really the time to waste your strength yelling at Cindra?”
She snarled at me. “You took her out of the tower? Why?”
“Given how the Topraks have left, and the situation at hand, do you think now is the time to starve her in the tower?” I met my mother’s gaze. “Father might have had a bit to say about my lack of diplomacy, but if King Seb and Queen Meadow decide that they’re better off following the Go
