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“You have many worries, Dhosha. I see them on your lovely face.”
“Do you blame me?”
“Not a bit. The fact that you approach your life and your decisions with thoughtfulness and care is what makes me know I’ve taught you well.”
“I wish all of it were easier.”
“Nothing worth having is easy, Dhosha,” her grandmother said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I went to see my apothecary earlier today.”
Amara stiffened. Neela spoke of a man with a great and secret talent for creating magical potions for her grandmother and, in the past, for her mother. “And?”
“He mentioned that another client from the palace paid him a visit, not so long ago.”
“Someone from the palace? Who?”
“Your brother. Ashur.”
Amara’s gaze widened. “But . . . I didn’t know Ashur even knew of your apothecary.”
“Nor did I.”
“What potion did he request?”
“I don’t know. He only mentioned Ashur’s visit in passing, when he asked after his well-being.”
“And you didn’t ask any further questions? Grandmother, I need to know.”
“Why? What difference does it make now?”
“If it makes no difference to you, then why did you bother to mention it to me?”
“I see now that I shouldn’t have.” Neela took Amara’s hand in hers. “Quiet your thoughts, Dhosha. You are strong and you will do what needs to be done. You’re close now. Closer than ever before.”
Amara let out a long, weary sigh, then nodded firmly. “Don’t worry about me, Madhosha. I know what I have to do.”
• • •
“Come sit next to me, Daughter.”
The emperor rose from his chair as Amara entered the solarium, a private room he used to entertain his most important guests.
She hadn’t known what to expect when he summoned her here, and she saw now that she wasn’t the only one he’d called upon. She was the last to arrive. King Gaius, Felix, Milo, and her brothers were already there.
orgot all about Magnus when she saw someone approaching her—Nic, taking her completely by surprise.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
He regarded her with curiosity, shifting the bulky satchel he held to his other shoulder. “I was about to ask you the very same question. Have you spoken with Nerissa?”
“Yes. She hasn’t told me everything, but she’s told me enough.” She took hold of his coat sleeve. “I know about Lysandra. That’s awful beyond words. But, Nic, you could have been killed too.”
“But I wasn’t.”
“Perhaps next time,” Magnus said, interrupting them. “Cassian, go back to the palace. You’re not wanted here.”
Nic glared at him. “I’m going to Kraeshia with Jonas.”
“Nic, no,” she said, her voice nothing more than a rasp. “Jonas is ready to put his life in danger by going on this trip. You might think you’re ready to do the same, but I refuse to risk losing you, too.”
