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watching it blacken and shrink, her fingers unconsciously rolling and unrolling the sash of her robe.
It gave me an idea.
Sidonie, did you ever hear the tale of the deposed Menekhetan queen who had herself smuggled
before a Tiberian general rolled in a carpet? I asked.
She stopped and stared at me. You re brilliant.
No. I grinned at her. But between the two of us, we manage to shine fairly brightly, love. If
Kratos can find a discreet way out of the palace, I m willing to sling you over my shoulder and carry you
to the harbor.
When? she asked simply.
Give me a day, I repeated. Send for me tomorrow like you did tonight. Don t risk drugging
the guards. A few moments will be long enough to confer. I glanced at the window. And I don t think I
ought to stay any longer. The second team of guards will be arriving soon.
Tomorrow, then. Sidonie took a deep breath. Will you hold me first? I gathered her into my
arms, wishing I never had to let her go. She clung to me, pressing herself hard against me. I wish you
didn t have to go, she whispered against my chest. Imriel, once this is over, I never, ever want us to be
parted again.
I know, I murmured against her hair. Believe me, love, I know.
Leaving her that night was one of the hardest things I d done. It felt like I was tearing my heart
out of my chest. I had mad fantasies of staying and barricading the door, holding the world at bay; or
seizing Sidonie and trying to fight our way clear of New Carthage.
But I didn t.
Instead, I forced myself to let her go. She clung to me for a few heartbeats longer, then released
me. I turned away reluctantly and left.
Outside her bedchamber, the Amazigh were snoring and the fire was burning low in the hearth. I
stirred the fire back to life and laid another log on it, then took up my post outside Sidonie s door. There
I sat, trying to contain the storms of emotion churning in my heart, trying to remember how to be Leander
Maignard.
It wasn t long before fresh guards came to relieve the others. They startled at the sight of their
sleeping fellows, then shook them awake after a hushed exchange and several darting glances my way.
The Amazigh woke groggily, but they awoke. There was another hushed conference, this one with a
furious undertone, and more anxious looks in my direction.
You ve naught to fear on my account, lads. I shifted and stretched as though my limbs were
stiff from a long night s inaction. Believe me, I ve been on the receiving end of Lord Bodeshmun s
threats. I yawned, covering my mouth. And I do believe I caught a few winks myself. My silence for
yours, good fellows?
It will not happen again, one of the new guards said curtly, his Hellene heavily accented.
I m sure it won t, I agreed.
Well and good, Sidonie was right. The Amazigh might be fiercely loyal, but their personal loyalty
was to Astegal. They obeyed Bodeshmun for his sake, but they didn t do it gladly.
As before, I waited until the chambermaid arrived a little after dawn with her breakfast tray. This
time, I knocked on the door for her. Sidonie opened it. Our eyes met, a silent spark passing between us.
But if nothing else, we d had a good deal of practice dissembling together in public.
Good morning, my lady, I said. Did you rest well?
Well enough, she said. Once again, I thank you for your kindness, Messire Maignard.
I bowed. It is an honor, your highness.
I lingered long enough to watch her turn and walk back into her chamber. I d carved a divot of
flesh out of her back, and I knew she was hurting badly. It didn t show, not in the slightest.
That was my girl.
After what was surely the longest night of my life, I made my way to my own chambers. I was so
exhausted as I was descending the tower stairs, I barely heard the deep rumble of Bodeshmun s voice in
time. My pulse leapt like a startled hare, and I plastered myself against the inner wall of the stairwell.
There I froze, praying like hell that Bodeshmun wasn t headed for the stairs.
He wasn t.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him pass below me, his black robes swirling as he addressed
Lord Gillimas. And for the first time, the thought occurred to me that it would be infinitely easier to get
Sidonie out of New Carthage if we ignored the business of Bodeshmun and the talisman altogether.
Of course, that would leave a dangerous enemy at our backs.
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