"You certainly act like you're all right," Leonidas eased up in his rigid, rehearsed steps, not only for Signless' sake but for the cameras. The Capitol wants to believe they're only having some minor skirmishes but in truth, the war is encroaching their borders, noble blood pretending like the plague won't touch them. Even Cora can see the writing on the wall and it's not pretty.

"Are you and Roland set to head out again?" he had to ask, "For charitable and diplomatic purposes, of course." There's always the matter of Roland's safety.