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She blinked. “You’re . . .”
“I need another advisor—just ask Yahri—and I have a particular job for you, if you wouldn’t mind digging into a mystery. I need someone I trust to review some old spy records.”
Her eyes lit up at that, but she still frowned. “I’m a princess of Zennor.Canyou hire me?”
“You have a brilliant mind, and your skills in forgery are unmatched. I would very much like to hire you. You can have the office next to mine, and in between meetings I can consult with you. I’m sure there’s a comfortable settee that can be brought, and if ever you grow tired, you can take most of your work back here.”
She bit her lip. “I don’t want to be carried through the halls.”
He knew instantly what she didn’t say; she didn’t want to be seen by his people as weak.
Still holding her hand, he skated his thumb over her inner wrist. “I’ll come early every morning to get you,” he said. “We’ll walk as long as you’d like, and if you ever tire, I can carry you through the servant passages. I think you’ll enjoy discovering the secrets of the palace.”
Intrigue colored her eyes once more, and it was so much better than the shame and tears that had lived there too recently.
Still, she teased him with a long sigh. “My skillsarelegendary,” she said. “I hope you can afford me.”
He cracked a smile, feeling her words more deeply than she surely meant them. Because of that, he didn’t verbalize his reply.
If there’s any way to keep you, Imara, I’ll find it.
Chapter 30
Mia
Meerahclutchedthequiltcloser to her chin as she pressed into the corner of her bunk. The whole world rocked violently as the ship was tossed on the sea.
Tahlyah was in bed beside her, also fisting the blanket. Her older sister looked pale.
Darkol—the bodyguard Mia had shared with Tally and Des all her life—had left a long time ago to check in with the captain, and he hadn’t returned.
On the other side of the cabin, Mother snatched up her cloak. “I’ll be right back,” she said. “I just need to speak with the captain.”
“Don’t go,” Meerah begged. Darkol hadn’t come back, and neither had the seraijan’s guards. While Mother said it was because they must be helping the crew, Meerah didn’t want her mother to vanish, too.
The ship lurched, and Mother stumbled. Her hand slapped against the wall to keep her from falling.
Thunder boomed, and Meerah screamed.
Tahlyah wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders. She was nine years old, and not afraid of anything. Not like Mia, who was barely seven andterrified.
Mother looked at them. Shards of moonlight made it through the storm clouds and the cabin’s window, revealing a rare hint of panic in her beautiful brown eyes. Her long dark hair was in a messy braid that trailed over her shoulder, and she wore a long white nightgown. She threw the cloak around her body, her face smooth and her mouth set. “Stay here,” she said. “I’ll be right back. I promise.”
Meerah’s gut dropped along with the ship. She wanted to scream for her mother to stay with them, but the seraijan was already out the door.
In the distance, Meerah could hear the frantic shouts of the sailors. The creak of the ship, and the snapping of the sails.
Tahlyah held her close. “We’ll be all right,” she said. “And we’ll tell Des how brave we were. Father, too.”
“I’m scared,” Meerah said, clutching the black ring that hung on the delicate chain around her neck. Tahlyah had the same ring, and so did Desfan. The rings tied them together, even when they were apart.
A deafening crack of thunder rattled Meerah’s clenched teeth. Flashes of lightning followed, lighting every corner of the cabin.
Then came the loudest crack of all.
Tahlyah jerked, and above them, men shrieked.
Tears rolled down Meerah’s face. “What was that?”
