“But they’ll understand.”
“They will. Because they trust you.”
Lady Neda set her embroidery aside. “I will ask Marzius to take a few soldiers and accompany you. He has been Kaelendrin’s captain of the guard for years; he’s even turned down promotions in the king’s service out of loyalty to the princes.”
She paused, thoughtful. “He and Alarik go back many years. His family hails from the same village as Alarik’s mother; they were raised together, in a manner of speaking. He is a man they both hold in trust. Having him at your side will ease their minds.”
Reiya dipped her head. “Then I welcome the captain’s company.”
The promenade along Nafara Oasis shimmered beneath the midday sun, golden light reflecting off the tranquil waters. The heat was relentless, but towering date palms cast long, cool shadows. The air was fragrant—precious oils and moonflowers drifting from the nearby Temple of Luneth, where the faithful gathered in quiet devotion.
Reiya walked in measured steps, acutely aware of the woman at her side. Annaïs moved with unerring grace, one hand twirling a white lace parasol, the other resting lightly against Reiya’s arm—a touch so faint it could be mistaken for guidance. Or control.
Behind them, Captain Marzius and a handful of guards followed at a respectful distance.
“You must find Asadia quite different from Aethonia,” Annaïs mused, her voice smooth, unhurried. “The sands, the heat, the scent of spice . . . Do they suit you?”
Reiya scanned the sandstone walls of the temple, the vendors lining the path, offering woven charms, moonflower bouquets, vials of fragrant oil.
“There is an unrelenting vitality to Asadia,” she answered, carefully neutral. “It’s admirable.”
Annaïs’s smile never wavered. “You’ve had quite the journey, haven’t you? From Aethonia’s shores to caravan roads—living among commoners, travelling with merchants. That must have been . . . quite a departure from palace life.”
“It was. Stripped of comforts, you see strength more clearly—within yourself, and within others. There’s honesty in working for something greater than yourself, even if it’s something as simple as cooking a meal.”
“How noble.” Annaïs tilted her head. “But I’m sure you were well cared for. The princes, after all, were by your side. They are both extremely . . .attentive. I know this firsthand.”
Heat curled low in Reiya’s chest—not anger, but something watchful, a nagging intuition that this was a test, a calculated provocation.
“They were precious companions,” she replied evenly. “Steady when the world was anything but. Through difficulty, we’ve earned each others’ loyalty and affection.”
The woman’s lips curved, but the precision of the gesture gave her true intention away.
“How fortunate you are, Princess, to have ensnared their devotion. The court can see it plain as day.”
Reiya didn’t let the words settle. Instead, she inclined her head, returning the smile with an edge of her own. “Devotion isn’t given freely, Lady Annaïs. It requires trust. I’m sure you agree, trust isn’t so easily won.”
A spontaneous emotion crossed Annaïs’s expression before she smoothed it away. “I couldn’t agree more.”
They walked on in silence.
Then, Annaïs spoke again. “I’m sure you’ve heard the whispers of my . . . history with the princes.” Her tone was soft, uncertain—crafted for effect. “I won’t insult you by sidestepping it. The court loves its stories. They’ve told this one often enough.”
She let the words linger, cocking her head just so—her expression perfectly open. “But you mustn’t be jealous, Princess. What happened is in the past. Everyone can see how devoted the princes are to you now. There’s no reason to worry.”
Reiya nearly laughed.
Jealous?
So deliberate a word—tossed like a stone into still water just to watch the ripples.
Reiya slipped her arm through Annaïs’s, letting out a deliberately airy sigh.“How relieved I am to hear you say so. I confess, I nearly asked myself, but I feared it might be too bold. Iwasfeeling jealous before, but you’ve set my mind at ease.”
The flicker in Annaïs’s dark eyes was slight, but Reiya caught it—a brief blink of surprise, quickly buried beneath practiced poise.
“Of course,” she replied smoothly, though her voice had cooled. “It’s natural to wonder—any woman in your position would. But it pleases me to see you so confident and gracious. Both qualities will serve you well.”
“Thank you,” Reiya returned, letting relief thread through her words. “Confidence often sharpens when tested. Wouldn’t you agree?”
