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'Both, but longer for the delights.'

'You can't be short on suitors?'

'I've had proposals, if they count, but no-one so bold as to propose anything less permanent, and I've been with the army; Sensis would string me up by my hair if I fooled around with her soldiers.'

'The trials and tribulations of being Queen.'

'Indeed,' said Fyia. She patted the space next to her on the sofa, and Essa sat. 'What about you?'

'Suitors?' said Essa.

'Or carnal delights?' said Fyia, with a grin.

'No,' said Essa. She shook her head, turning introspective.

'I'm sorry,' said Fyia. She put her hand on Essa's arm. 'It will ease in time.'

Essa gave a tight smile.

'My brother has a lot to answer for,' said Fyia. She leaned back against the sofa, raising her eyes to the intricate pattern winding its way across the ceiling.

'If he'd taken up his rightful position, you wouldn't be Queen,' said Essa.

'No, you would.'

'Of only a single kingdom, and I would've made a terrible queen … I'm happy in my workshop.'

'Are you?'

'You know I am. Inventing is my only true love.' A shadow passed behind Essa's eyes; her only true love, aside from Fyia's brother … 'I hear I'm to appoint a new Chancellor of the University?' she said, visibly forcing herself out of her reverie.

Fyia nodded. 'Apparently, I'm better at making enemies than enticing lovers to my bed.'

'The men of Moon may hate you for a while, but just think of all the women who can finally get an education … and you can't make a clock without breaking an egg.'

'Do you really think they made the clocks with dragon eggs?'

Essa shrugged. 'That's how the saying goes.'

Fyia entered Essa's hastily assembled workshop at the top of the tallest tower in Selise. The sun was peaking over the horizon, rays of golden light punctuating the space. Four assistants bustled about, one measuring out brightly colored liquids, one hovering next to a bubbling pot, one taking a reading from a large solar simulation that hung from the ceiling, and one looking at the sky through a telescope. Essa was at a workbench, her face shielded with metal as she worked with a flame.

Essa didn't look up, so Fyia leaned against a bench and watched the activity. She could see the dragon clock through the window, a metal ball appearing at the top just as a ray of light illuminated the dragon's head. Such a mystery, how they worked, what they did … She'd often wondered why the old Kings hadn't torn them down, against magic as they were.

Essa pulled off her shield and placed it on the bench. 'The Emperor across the Kraken Sea has created flying machines,' she said, leaving whatever she'd been working on to cool.

'What? How?'

'I don't know the details, or if it's really true, but we should send spies to gather intelligence.'

'Done,' said Fyia, 'but how do you know?'

'A trader,' said Essa. 'He supplies several inventors in the Kraken Empire. I've packed a few things for your trip.' Essa picked up a bag and handed it over. 'It’s all the usual stuff; water purification, medicines, navigation devices, and a dagger that will stay sharp … I found a new way to edge the metal, and added a special coating …'

'Thank you.'

'And please will you deliver this to your brother?' She held out a small, perfectly round, perfectly smooth metal ball. It was almost gold, but with hints of other colors—pinks and blues and greens—just below the surface, catching the light.

'Essa …'