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Now Sabina laughed. “Well, you are human, after all.”
“Not for much longer,” Cassia snapped. “I should be a Hesperine right now, but I came back to help my sister. And no, it’s not because I want power and immortality and all that nonsense. I only want to stay with Lio.”
“Only a fool would believe that immortality is your reason for going to these lengths. It’s not that difficult to get transformed into a Hesperine. But to secure a match with a Hesperine ambassador? Yes. That would require reshaping a kingdom.”
“Now do you understand?” Cassia asked. “This is my goodwill gesture. This is something valuable you can use against me, if I don’t uphold my end of the bargain. Please, take me at my word. Solia is only interested in her Imperial, and I in my Hesperine. She intends to rule without her power hinging on any man, least of all Flavian.”
Sabina’s gaze sharpened. “If I joined you at Patria, I trust your sister and I would have the opportunity to speak about what I envision for Tenebra’s future—and my own.”
“You are precisely the kind of lady she hopes will help her establish that future.”
“Very well,” Sabina said. “Your sister has my partisanship.”
Cassia had best make sure they never lost it, and with it, Sabina’s discretion about Lio. Had Cassia done the right thing? She could only hope so as Sabina accompanied her back to the fireside and wove them into her mother’s conversation with Solia and Kella.
“Do you remember, my dear?” Lady Hadrian asked with fondness in her eyes. “That visit when we were all at Hadria was one of the happiest times of my life. I still have the tapestry you and Princess Solia wove for me.”
“We did so much weaving together.” Sabina offered Solia a conspiratorial smile. “When we weren’t sneaking out to watch the men at sword training.”
“Then your father caught us,” Solia said with a laugh, “and we didn’t have to sneak any longer.”
Sabina reached out and offered her hands to Solia. Solia took them, a hint of vulnerable hope in her eyes. She needed Sabina’s political support, of course. But she also wanted a friend.
“Mother,” Sabina said, “now that our queen has returned, I do not wish to be parted from her. Will you and father permit me to return to Patria with Her Majesty?”
Lady Hadrian’s happiness faded.
“Callen could go as Lady Sabina’s bodyguard,” Cassia suggested, “and with Hesperine help, it would be safe to bring Perita with us as well. Naturally Lady Sabina will want her handmaiden Miranda with her as well.”
Sabina appeared pleased with this idea. “There is no one else I would rather have at my side at a time like this.”
“I fear sending my girls into that den of predators,” Lady Hadrian said, “although I know you are equal to it.”
“I know, Mother, but I cannot in good conscience remain here while our queen faces her Segetian challenger alone.”
Solia put a hand on Lady Hadrian’s. “And we can all look forward to a future when politics no longer keep us apart.”
Lady Hadrian’s expression steeled. “We will do anything we must for that day. You have my blessing, Sabina. But you know you must secure your father’s.”
Sabina’s tone was gentle. “I shall ask his permission now.”
“You intend to return to Patria with our queen tonight?” Lady Hadrian asked with composure that was surely hiding pain.
“I know it’s too soon,” her daughter said, “but it will only be for the duration of the negotiations. As soon as the Council comes to a vote, you and Father can join us.”
Lady Hadrian found a smile. “I am so proud of you.”
Cassia had never seen Sabina near tears, unless they were tears of anger, but now she blinked hard at her mother’s praise.
Callen escorted Sabina, Solia, and Cassia to a neighboring tent and ushered them in, remaining outside to stand guard. Upon their entrance, Lord Hadrian looked up from the map on the trestle table before him and bowed to Solia. “How can I serve, My Queen?”
“A personal matter,” Solia replied with a smile. “It is your daughter who has a request for you, my lord.”
He circled the table to sit against the edge of it. The wry smile he gave Sabina was full of familiar affection. How different a father he was than the king.
“I know that look,” he said. “Do you wish to replace my favorite steward again?”
“Something even more disruptive, I’m afraid,” Sabina replied. “I wish to accompany Her Majesty to Patria.”
