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Kara did a double-take.

“Oh my God. It’s that awful heirloom Daa’sten brought with him. Some vintage treasure from the royal vaults.”

“I remember,” nodded Ela. “He said a messenger delivered it with instructions from Vahn that you were to wear it at the wedding.”

“But it was awful so I shoved it in a drawer.”

“Lucky for all that you did.”

They turned to look at Vahn, still unconscious in bed. His face was relatively unscathed, save for a cut on his cheekbone and bruising round his jaw from flying debris. He’d taken the brunt of the blast on his back, where his scales had saved him from major injury.

His serpetrus would be tender for a while, and he’d probably be sore when he woke. But he was alive and Kara had spent every minute since the explosion thanking the stars for that mercy.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” she said. “How could anyone know he’d want me to wear that particular necklace?”

“I’ll bet you the moon of Xantis he didn’t,” said Rhyn. “Whoever booby-trapped it justsaidthat to make sure you’d wear it. Thank Vannla you had the taste to ditch it.”

“So why did it explode when we went back to our room?”

“At a guess I’d say it was activated by Vahn’s proximity,” said Ela. “It was probably meant to go off when you stood next to him during the ceremony. It’s a small device but enough to take you both out. Maybe some of the wedding guests too.”

Rhyn’s fist tightened on the bag.

“We all know who did this.”

“We don’t have any proof, we can’t make accusations,” began Ela, but Rhyn shook his head.

“Only the Zhaal and a handful of high-ranking officials have access to the vaults. And of all those who do, just one wasn’t at the wedding yesterday.”

“Baelon,” said Kara. Anger and despair vied in equal measure. “But why would he do something like this? When we’re so close to peace for the first time in years?”

“Because he’s a megalomaniac,” scowled Ela. “He wants Earth’s subjugation, not friendship.”

“And the throne,” said Rhyn. “Let’s not forget the throne.”

“So arrest him,” Kara demanded fiercely. “Send your soldiers and lock the bastard up.”

“We can’t,” said Rhyn. “Ela’s right. We don’t have proof. Only circumstantial evidence.”

“But we know it’s him,” she insisted. “We can’t just do nothing.”

“We won’t,” Ela promised. “But we have to move carefully. For a start, he’ll be wondering why no-one’s said anything about a bomb blast.”

“Good.” Rhyn smiled viciously. “That’ll get him worried.”

“But if we reveal the Zhaal was attacked, it will unsettle people. It will almost certainly jeopardize the peace process.” Ela frowned. “Which plays right into Baelon’s hands.”

“We can’t allow that,” said Kara firmly. “What have you told people so far?”

“Nothing yet,” said Ela. “The royal quarters have been sealed off to everyone except us. The doctor and Vahn’s bodyguards are sworn to secrecy. The main bedroom is a mess but the rest of the wing is undamaged. So far no-one is any the wiser. But eventually people are going to notice the Zhaal’s missing.”

“Not necessarily,” said Rhyn. “He’s just got married. Everyone will naturally assume he’s, ah, spending time with his bride.”

“That won’t work forever,” argued Ela. “We need to come up with something. Get ahead of it.”

“Why not just tell the truth? That he survived an assassination attempt?”

“Think it through, Rhyn. If we can’t prove who was behind the attempt, Baelon could point the finger at anyone. He might even blame the humans. We can’t take that risk.”