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Chapter forty-three

Nerys

“ T his had better be good,” Qiana muttered from the bath.

“I offered to talk to you later,” Nerys said. “I still can.” She’d have made eye contact with Qiana, if Qiana’s eyes weren’t closed. Maybe it was for the best—she felt like what she did with Idris was visible for all who cared to look.

“No.” Qiana groaned. “We are to meet a Sun Holder this afternoon. I won’t have time.”

“That’s why you’re in a sour mood? The Sun Holder?”

Qiana opened a single eye. “If only it were that. I’m glad you’re not my true ward or you’d be far too much work.” She closed the eye again.

“What is it? Tea? Silver polishing? Hair removal soiree?”

“Tea. She wants to talk. ‘Share news.’ Meet my ward.”

“Great.” It wasn’t.

“Exactly.”

Nerys crossed her arms. “I don’t have to go to so many things.”

“Yes, you do. It would look strange if you didn’t accompany me.

” Even Nerys knew that Qiana was right, unfortunately.

Just that morning the two of them had breakfast with a Lesser Supreme Land Holder and the woman’s two daughters.

Nerys had had worse mornings—the one she discovered her village massacred came to mind.

“Now, why are you interrupting the few moments I have to myself?”

“I’m accepting Adelyna’s offer,” Nerys announced. “I’m going to be a High Maid.”

The water sloshed over the side of the tub as Qiana pushed herself upright, now fully alert. And very naked. “What? No. Nerys—”

“ Callidora ,” Nerys corrected with a smirk.

“Fool, more like.” Qiana rubbed her face. “This isn’t a good idea. We discussed this. I already have the speech prepared for Adelyna—”

“And it is too late. I already accepted.”

Qiana’s eyes widened. “This is—”

“My decision.” Nerys met her gaze. “Mine. It’s my task. I don’t have time to wait for the R?ll to notice me again. I have to do something .”

“You’ll end up getting yourself killed. You do this, you won’t have time to wait for the R?ll. Inquiries will be made. People will start to look.” Qiana slapped her hand on the side of the tub. “You are risking me .”

“We have the story for you. The court will forgive you.”

Qiana’s eyebrow crept up. “And how well do you think that story will hold when they torture you?”

Torture?

“It won’t come to that,” Nerys rushed out. “Idris said that he—”

“Idris? Never mind. I don’t want to know.” Qiana took a deep breath. “This is a mistake. I’ve said that many times. You’ve doomed us to fail.”

“I won’t.”

Qiana’s eyes flared. “You had better not. I’ve lost far too much already to this fucking court.”

“I’m sorry,” Nerys said softly. Qiana had lost a lot because of this court. And the curse. But the curse was not their concern—the R?ll was.

“Being sorry won’t bring anyone back,” Qiana said bitterly. “And it’s too late to change your plan now.”