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Cassia nodded. “And those personal motivations are what will make them the most desperate.”
“And the most dangerous,” Kella said. “Last-minute changes of heart could cost us everything.”
To Cassia’s pleasant surprise, Perita interrupted them, bustling in with little Callen strapped to her chest. The cares of the world stopped for a moment while they all indulged their desire to dote on him. Cassia covered a smile with her hand. Had any little boy been hovered over by such a dangerous flock of women?
Perita busied herself dressing Solia and brought Kella her other saddle blanket. Once she had seen to the two royals, she helped Cassia change into her riding gown.
“Just like old times, my lady,” Perita said with obvious contentment.
Cassia pressed her friend’s hand. “Are you certain Sabina doesn’t mind?”
“Not at all.” Perita smiled. “Miranda is helping her. She’ll meet us down in the courtyard.”
Every mention of Miranda still felt like a knife in Cassia’s chest. “How is she?”
“Just leave her to me,” Perita said. “I’ll make her see how you’ve changed.”
“You’re too generous to me.” Cassia had dreaded revealing her and Miranda’s past to Perita. She had expected it to tarnish her in Perita’s eyes. She was still astonished that Perita had responded with nothing but understanding.
“We’ve all done things we don’t fancy confessing in the temple,” Perita said. “Do you think Miranda is a divine maiden, either? None of us are. I’m not proud of what I told the king about you before I learned to trust you. But the risks you’ve taken for Callen and me show what you’re truly made of, my lady.”
“Thank you, my friend.” Cassia felt the words were not sufficient.
“Don’t thank me yet.” Perita smiled with satisfaction. “Not until I tell you the information I learned on laundry day.”
“Is someone pregnant?” Solia asked.
“Or perhaps an attempted assassination in the bed sheets?” Kella leaned forward.
Perita giggled. “You all have the best taste in gossip, Your Highnesses, if I may say so. But this concerns a onetime mage of Kyria who was cast from her temple. She was sent home to her brother in disgrace and forbidden to use magic ever again…but she is not content to accept the gift of obscurity.”
“Are you talking about Irene?” Cassia asked.
Perita nodded. “The very same.”
“You know her?” Solia asked.
“All too well,” Cassia said. “When Ariadne’s temple was hiding Zoe and the other children, Irene betrayed their secret to the Order of Anthros.”
“She sold out children to be punished for heresy?” Kella asked.
Cassia nodded. “Can you guess which free lord’s sister she is?”
“Ohh,” Solia replied, “didn’t Tyran have a younger sister who entered the temple?”
“That’s the one,” Cassia confirmed. “No doubt she and Tyran are working together—and most likely against each other at the same time. What is she up to now, Perita?”
“She’s thrilled to be out of the temple and determined to reclaim her standing among the nobility. She’s made a nuisance of herself bringing gifts to Segetia…and ever since her brother arrived at Patria, her letters have also been stacking up on Lord Flavian’s desk here.”
Solia appeared very interested indeed. “What sort of letters?”
“Flattering ones,” Perita answered. “Perhaps even flirtatious. I’m sure that dashing Imperial suitor of yours could find out on one of his nighttime walks.”
“I shall certainly ask him,” Solia said.
Cassia had not seen much of Hoyefe lately. He faithfully popped in with information, but devoted most of his spare time to Severin.
Perita smoothed the last laces on Cassia’s gown, then stepped back to rock the babe, who had begun to squirm and make grumpy noises. “You’re all as ready as I can make you. It’s a good sign Lord Loose-Breeches invited you all to ride with him today, insufferable as he is.”
