The Edric claimant's admission woke the throne.
He lifted his scarred hand toward Aylin. "The empty funeral was mine to order."
Every crown bell in Flood Hall rang.
The dry shutter over the last reflection split down the middle. Black-green water lifted an Aylin-shaped hand through the crack, found the ruined speaking grate, and pulled.
Wet copper tore from the wall. Throne salt lit beneath the floor, racing around the broken cord Jiang had left in the Kingwell.
Orra dragged the freed man behind the wheel platform. "Confess while moving."
He tried to stand. His legs folded beneath the royal coat, and Brann caught him under one arm.
"Western Crown socket," the man said. "Break the socket before the bells join."
"You built the funeral road," Aylin said. "You tell us why it knows my seal."
The false Aylin pulled herself from the glass.
