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Her gaze fell to her son. “I don’t deny I’d rather be as close to you and your Hesperines as possible, and if I go with Lady Sabina, it won’t be disloyal.”
Sabina had retreated to a corner of the tent, apparently to search through a basket of thread. Was she giving herself an opportunity to control her temper?
Cassia crossed the tent toward her. When Miranda took that opportunity to go sit with Perita, Cassia suppressed a wince of regret. She longed to say something now, but she must plan a more careful approach so she did not make Miranda feel threatened.
Cassia picked up a skein of thread that had escaped Sabina’s basket and offered it to her. “I thought I might find you outside of Hadria at a time like this.”
“It’s a rare and exciting opportunity to travel.” Sabina dropped the thread into the basket and sorted through the colors.
“Have you considered traveling to Patria?”
Sabina picked at the tangled threads with practiced fingers. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“We reserved a seat for you.”
“Ah yes, a seat at the long, slow negotiations. Now that there are two contenders for the Council’s mandate, you face a painful process. It could be Autumn Equinox before anything is decided.”
Cassia woke to that dread each and every day. Autumn Equinox would mean the return of her family to this side of Akanthia—but also Princess Konstantina’s plan to bring the Departure up for a vote. If the succession of Tenebra was still uncertain by then, what would Orthros’s firstbloods decide to do?
Sabina defeated the knot, smoothing out the separated threads. “I understand you lost Lord Deverran’s vote. What a shame.”
Cassia’s anxiety mounted. “What else did Nivalis tell you?”
“She blames you and Ambassador Deukalion for what happened to Pakhne. But I’ve spoken to my father, and I know that’s not the case.”
“Someone from Hadria could help Nivalis understand.”
“Yes, you clearly need Hadrian support against Flavian. Someone who can influence everyone in our faction to vote for your sister. But not too much Hadria, or you will scare off your Segetian partisans as well.”
“Your father does have that effect.”
“He must not set foot at Patria until the moment is right. When he joins the Council, the king will know he has lost. Lucis will intervene. That cannot happen until your sister is ready to face him.”
Cassia nodded. “Astute as always.”
She was tempted to ask Sabina what she wanted. But no, that was not the right approach with this lady. Some liked to be courted. Sabina liked to do the courting. Cassia waited for her to make her move.
Sabina paused to select another color of thread from the basket. She unwound a Hadrian blue. “You need me. I can quietly accompany you back to Patria. My presence will make it clear to everyone where we stand without inciting a feud.”
“We are your allies,” Cassia promised. “We will support your goals in return.”
“So would that idiot, you know.” The spark of anger in Sabina’s gaze suggested she was thinking irreverent names again.
“Of course. I have no doubt that you would have him falling at your feet, serving up anything you wish on a golden tray. But I also know you will not join his side against Hadria.”
Sabina laughed. “I wouldn’t have to. I could sit here and continue weaving, while you and your sister are surrounded by Flavian’s supporters, with no reinforcements from Hadria.”
Cassia hated how true that was. But she respected that Sabina knew the worth of her favor and would not let Cassia or Solia undervalue it. “My sister is in a position to support Hadria in ways Flavian cannot dream of.”
“But is she in a position to support me?”
“If the support you require is of a more personal nature, I assure you, my sister and I are both doing our best to dissolve my betrothal to Flavian.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are. But not for my sake.”
“Of course for you. I hope my past assurances are proof of that.”
Sabina’s eyes only flashed with greater anger.
