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'I'm sure I don't know what you mean,' said Fyia.

'Oh, Gods …' said Sensis. 'You like him!'

'I do like him. He will be a strong ally.'

Sensis threw the pillow back with terrifying speed, and Fyia only just got her hands up in time.

'Tell me what you withheld earlier,' said Fyia, firmly changing the subject. Yes, she liked Cal … she liked him a lot, but that didn't mean she should act on it. Although he was right, their marriage would solve several of her problems …

The Spider nodded in a way that told Fyia this was not the end of the Cal conversation. 'The Emperor has some trump card, although I don't know what. He doesn't have dragons, that much has become plain; he's not even pretending any longer. In fact, he now claims he never said he had them at all …'

'That man cannot be trusted,' said Sensis.

'And yet, I must trust him enough to put myself at his mercy,' said Fyia. 'In my own lands.'

She hadn’t let herself dwell, but it stung that the Emperor had invaded, that there had been nothing she could do about it. His force was superior, with scores of airships and fresh troops. Her troops were ready for a rest, and now they endured a long march before facing the Emperor's army … if it came to that.

'Whatever he has,' said the Spider, 'he'll want something big in return …'

Fyia didn't want to think about what that meant. Something big like land, money, resources … her? Venir had wanted her to marry all along, as had most of her nobles. It was reason enough for her to refuse the hand of any suitor … including Cal, but maybe she was being unnecessarily stubborn. Marrying Cal wouldn’t be a capitulation if it was what she wanted …

'Something big like you,' said Sensis, 'just in case you missed the Spider's meaning.'

'What are the laws regarding marriage in the Empire?' Fyia asked, ignoring the jibe.

'The husband takes it all,' said the Spider, 'although women have far greater rights and freedoms than here. Before marriage, they are subject to few restrictions.'

'So something big like handing over all five of my kingdoms,' said Fyia. 'I don't think so. What of an alliance? What does he want?'

'He wants what most men want … more,' said the Spider. 'More land, more influence, more treasure … he wants the world to revere him, and right now, everyone's talking about you.'

'There is a prize better than me or my kingdoms,' said Fyia, 'and he already has land and wealth.'

'Oh?' said the Spider.

'Dragons,' said Fyia.

'You can't be serious,' said Sensis.

'He obviously wants them, or he wouldn’t have spread the rumor he had them,' said Fyia.

'You would promise him a dragon?' said the Spider. 'For what?'

'He's not fire-touched; he won't be able to control a dragon,' said Fyia. 'But maybe he doesn't know that. Or maybe he's arrogant enough to believe it doesn't matter.'

Sensis considered the idea. 'I mean, it's got potential.'

'Or maybe he knows about the fire-touch, and seeks a way to bring you under his control,' said the Spider. 'To control the dragons for him.'

'He'll get a dagger in his back for his trouble if he tries,' said Fyia.

'Could you stick him in the front?' said Sensis. 'I'm sick of people complaining about your honor, so I’d appreciate a little variation …'

'I'll let you take that up with Edu,' said Fyia.

Sensis laughed. 'Any news on Essa?' she asked the Spider.

The Spider shook her head. 'My spies have found no trace. It's not surprising, seeing as my network in the northern lands is sparse.'