“Elena,” he tried, but the words, thick and devious, would not come. “You—you look so free when you dance. So… confident. Like Aahnah.”
He was evading the issue, he knew, but he could not find the strength now to tell her about the nature of fire and its demand for sacrifice—not when he had just scattered an innocent girl’s ashes.
“One of the few things I know how to do well, apparently,” Elena said.
She is as stubborn as her mother, Leo thought suddenly, and that truth made him smile.
“Why are you smiling?” his daughter asked cautiously.
“Oh, dear girl,” Leo said. He took her hands in his, squeezed. “You are just like her. In the best ways. Stubborn and terrifyingly relentless.”
“Terrifyingly relentless.” Elena laughed then, low and sweet. Aahnah’s laugh. “That is the perfect way to put it.”
What did Aahnah always say?
“‘No stubborn woman,’” he said.
“‘—has ever gone to bed dissatisfied, Malhari,’” Elena said with him. She grinned. “Mother was right. Because if she ever was upset—”
“Neither I nor she could sleep.” He smiled. “And you used that as the perfect excuse to stay awake—”
“—and eat mangoes with her until you came and cleaned up the peels in apology.” Elena shook her head, eyes bright with memory. The tightness in his chest eased, just a bit, to see her like this. It would not last for long, he knew. Arish would call him soon to the hoverpod, and he would be thrust back into the world of urns filled with death and a daughter who may grow to despise him for the secrets he kept, but for now—for now,heavens above, let this moment stay.
Leo kissed his three fingers again and rested them on Elena’s temple. “You are your mother’s daughter. Stubborn, yes, but so strong, Elena. So strong. She would be proud of you.”
Elena smiled, but slowly her smile faded.
“What would she think of you, Father?” she asked in a soft voice.
Arish rapped on the door then. “Your Majesty, Your Highness.” He bowed. “We must go.”
Leo turned back to Elena, torn in his answer. Because he knew what Aahnah would think. He had heard her voice in the flames around his study.
Oh selfish, selfish Malhari.
“That I am doing my best to protect you and this kingdom,” he said. “That all I do is for you.”
Leo rubbed his temples. He had felt the beginning of a migraine crawl up his neck and the back of his head after his meeting with Elena. A cup of tea would help, but he had no time. He had yet another war council with his generals, and the plans for the ball still needed to be addressed, on top of interrogating the captured Arohassin agents—
“Your Majesty,” Samson said, interrupting Leo from his thoughts.
Leo closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and then regarded his future son-in-law.
“About the ball—I think it might help if we invite Farin,” Samson said.
Leo tried his best to keep the venom out of his voice. “Farin. The king of Jantar? Really?”
They were seated in a hoverpod heading north for Badala, a black site that lay deep within the dunes. It was an unmarked location, invisible on all military maps. It was where they sent high-level prisoners or any enemies of the state. Ravani Intelligence oversaw its daily operations. Muftasa reported occasionally about the site’s inner workings, but Leo was careful not to ask too many questions. As far as he was concerned, the base did not exist. Except for today.
Saayna was imprisoned at Badala, but he knew he could not keep the high priestess there for long. Elena was due for an Ashanta ceremony next week, and the coronation would follow. They would need Saayna for both. But until then, Leo intended to make the high priestess sweat.
“I know you think he won’t come,” Samson said. “But he will. BecauseIam here, and he wants to make sure I’m being a good pet.”
“And are you?” Leo asked. “Has Farin contacted you since the Black Sands march?”
Samson nodded. “He found it a bit theatrical, but he thinks I’m playing the part of a chivalrous knight to a queen. You know, lending her my sword even if I mean to take it back. He wants me to pull my troops when he gives the command.”
“And when will that be?”
