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“I’m glad one of our matriarchs is still among us,” said Solia.
“How true,” Cassia agreed. “She was always kind to us two motherless daughters.”
Kella and Tilili leapt nimbly over a puddle. “She sounds like a woman worthy of respect. What are her political aims?”
Cassia guided Freckles around the patch of mud. “She is as committed to the good of the kingdom as her husband, and she has made as many sacrifices. Perhaps more. Politics keep her separated from their daughters for most of the year.”
“Where are they?” Kella asked.
“In Hadria,” Cassia answered, “away from the king and his plots. Lady Hadrian is especially proud of her eldest, Sabina, who manages the domain in her parents’ absence.”
“Ah,” Kella said. “Yes, even mothers who are proud of their daughters’ accomplishments miss them.”
She must be thinking of her own mother, Queen Hinan, but Cassia refrained from asking. Kella was not the sort of woman who liked having her feelings pried into. So Cassia continued, “Lady Hadrian’s greatest pleasure is in surrounding herself with young women whom she can mentor, to remind her of her own girls.”
“The way to her heart is through her weaving room?” Solia asked.
The first flare of Hesperine magic at the edge of the camp distracted Cassia. Her aura leapt toward Lio’s power as if he had just offered her a treat. She tried to focus on her conversation. “What you can learn at Lady Hadrian’s feet will help you in every area of leadership. She can ease you back into Tenebran womanhood…without dulling your blades, so to speak.”
“Yes,” Solia mused, “I seem to recall her and Sabina’s figurative blades being quite sharp.”
“They still are,” Cassia assured her. “And yet they manage to remain above reproach. You will win a great deal of favor with all the women of the Hadrian faction if you do not demand their lady’s respect, but show her yours.”
Callen drew to a halt by a large tent, where they dismounted and let him take their horses.
“How are Perita and your son?” Cassia asked him.
He gave her the happiest, most foolish smile. “You can ask her yourself, my lady. She’s just inside.”
“I’m so glad I’ll get to see her.”
“So is she. I’ll be just here if you ladies need anything.” Callen stepped aside to stand guard nearby and busied himself with tethering their mounts.
Solia faced the tent flap. “Why does the weaving room seem more challenging than a duel with Lord Hadrian?”
“Don’t worry,” Kella said. “Remember that time we had to infiltrate a Queen Mother’s court to extricate Hoyefe from her harem? You conducted yourself like a lady.”
“Did Hoyefe wish to be extracted?” Cassia asked.
“Not really.” Solia snickered. “I don’t think Lady Hadrian has any nude male dancers for us tonight, alas.”
Kella tsked. “Tenebra is such a boring kingdom.”
“But you’re right,” Solia said. “I didn’t do too badly at the Azarqi council whenever I accompanied you, did I?”
Kella’s humor faded. “No gaggle of Tenebran ladies could be as much of a challenge as the Azarqi matriarchs.”
They slipped inside Lady Hadrian’s tent. The woman with the greatest influence in the kingdom sat at her travel loom beside a small fire pit. The tent was appointed with her hand-woven blankets and cushions, an island of ladylike comfort in the ascetic military camp. Perita rested in a quiet corner on a cot, and Miranda and the other handmaidens appeared to be waiting on her and the babe as much as their ladies.
Sabina sat across from her mother at her own loom, looking just as Lady Hadrian must have at that age. Tenebra’s most eligible, unattainable lady had a full figure, long, wavy brown hair, and her mother’s poise. But also her father’s temper.
Cassia had been right. Sabina would not stay at home when she could wage her own battle. The question was, was she fighting for Flavian?
Cassia must find out, for Sabina might be her and Lio’s best hope of freeing her from her betrothal.
Upon Solia’s entrance, Lady Hadrian pressed a hand to her mouth, and Sabina leapt to her feet. Then with more dignity, the two women fell into deep curtsies before Solia. Behind them, their handmaidens knelt, while Perita bowed her head.
“Your Majesty,” Lady Hadrian said.
