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“Of course. I would never separate you from your lady.” Solia and Sabina exchanged a glance and a nod of silent understanding.
Cassia hated this. Miranda didn’t feel safe with Solia—because of Cassia. Had Miranda told Sabina what Cassia had done? It was possible Sabina knew more about Cassia’s shared past with Miranda than Cassia herself. How could Cassia not remember, if she had ruined someone’s life?
She could think of only one more peace offering. Or war offering, rather. “Sister, perhaps Lady Sabina would also like to know what role your sword will play in the future of Tenebra.”
Lady Sabina took this opening, clearly emboldened by Cassia’s words. “Is that a privilege you intend to keep for yourself and your Imperial allies—or will you let all the women of your kingdom take up arms?”
A slow smile spread across Solia’s face. “Oh, Sabina, you and Kella and I shall be great friends.”
“We have a plan for that as well,” Cassia explained. “Angara is an exception among the gods. If Solia is careful to align herself with Angara’s image, we hope Tenebra will tolerate her as an exception among queens.”
“And over the years,” Solia said, “I will make new exceptions among my ladies, then among their handmaidens. I will keep making exceptions, and so will my heirs, no matter how many generations it takes for women like me to become the rule.”
“And if they will not tolerate such an exceptional queen?” Sabina asked.
“Yes, well, it is always a risk that I will be branded an apostate and the Orders will try to make a martyr of me.” Solia waved a dismissive hand that painted a little sweep of fire in the air. “I wish them luck with that.”
That fire seemed to take hold of Sabina’s eyes, and Cassia knew they had secured the ally they needed.
“Guarantee me my father’s seat in the future,” Sabina said, “and sword lessons now. We can keep them as secret as we must, for as long as we must. But I will not wait another day for the power to protect my own lands and people. Make me your first exception.”
CALCULATIONS
Lio savored the consternation on Flavian’s face when Lady Sabina swept into his solar. The rest of the audience seemed to be enjoying it too, judging by Cassia, Mak, and Lyros’s auras, and the victorious smile on Solia’s face. Lio slid near Cassia in case she needed him, but he couldn’t deny he was also twisting the knife by standing closer to her than Flavian would prefer.
Flavian rose from his desk chair, his gaze darting from Sabina to Solia as if he were scrambling to recalculate. “Lady Sabina. What a surprise to see you here. I thought we had agreed you would pursue your, ah, goals. From elsewhere.”
“Yes, it seemed in my interests to pursue those goals, and to remain at a distance from the events at Patria.” She gave him a cold smile. “But goals change.”
“I thought I had made my own goals clear.” Flavian’s emotions carried his thoughts to the surface of his mind, fair game for any mind mage to overhear. I thought you knew I’m doing this for us.
Unwanted sympathy pushed its way up in Lio. Perhaps Flavian didn’t want to do any of this for himself, but thought it was the only way he could marry the woman he loved in spite of the feud. Lio understood being in a position like that.
“I’m afraid your goals are quite unclear, my lord,” Sabina said. “Felicitations on your continued betrothal to Princess Cassia. Or should I congratulate you on your future with Princess Solia? I admit to some confusion after the Fire Dance.”
Lio’s sympathy dried up. He had never stooped to manipulating women for his political ends.
Flavian rubbed his face. If looks could kill, they would all at least have been banished from the solar.
“Lady Sabina is here as part of my retinue,” Solia said. “I expect her to be welcomed as one of my ladies. I’d like the chambers next to mine prepared for her and her household.”
Flavian glared at Sabina. “Those rooms are taken.”
Her eyes flashed. “I hear there is an empty bed next door to the solar, but I would sooner sleep in a pigsty.”
It took an act of Will for Lio not to laugh. Mak had no such qualms and allowed a snicker to escape. Flavian flushed.
“Empty the rooms next to mine,” Solia said. It was not a request. “Shuffle your guests however you need. Pitch someone out into the camp. The Lady of Hadria must be treated as she deserves. Anyone who fails to show her respect will lose mine.”
Flavian’s jaw clenched. “Whoever fails to support me at the Council also loses my support.”
Sabina gave a haughty laugh. “The coppers bearing a king’s face won’t buy anything at the market once the new queen mints her gold.”
“Those who cast aside their coppers in anger may change their minds when the sparkle of gold wears off.”
Sabina stalked forward and slammed her hand flat on his desk. “Don’t you dare accuse me of poor decision-making in the heat of anger. I would never rest the fate of Hadria on a fit of temper. And I certainly won’t rest it on a fickle Segetian.” Sabina turned her back on him.
On her way to the door, Solia took her arm. “Lady Nivalis and Lord Deverran will be delighted that you’ve joined us. I hope you’ll all join me in my weaving room tomorrow for some Hadrian spiced wine.”
