Chapter 4 - Golden Kingdom

I had no idea what I should do. Since I’d been called back to Highcastle from the Earslehen outerlands a couple of weeks ago, I hadn’t had a moment of leisure. I’d been training for the Claiming Rite or fighting Taio or running from Hollows. Suddenly, I had nothing to do, and my mind and body could not relax. I felt as though there was something I was forgetting. I couldn’t stop pacing and looking about for a task to complete.

A feeling of homesickness washed over me, which was another reason to stay occupied. If I was busy, I wasn’t thinking about leaving home behind. Too late now, I bit my lip to hold the tears in. I missed my mother. I missed our little house and my cozy bedchamber and my too-small bed. I missed my sister Finnrey.

I pressed a hand to my mouth. Finnrey was gone, but I wished she could be here with me. I wished I could show her this city and this palace. She would have been so frightened of everything, but perhaps she would be enchanted too. I was certainly enchanted by this plush rug and the magic bathtub.

That was what I would do! I would bathe and put on clean clothing. I removed my weapon and placed it on the floor beside the tub. The hammer made a clink when I laid it on the marble. Kneeling down, I turned the cold faucet handle as Taio had done. Cold water came forth. Then I turned the hot handle, and the spout produced hot water. The two seemed to blend into warm water. I found a stopper beside the spout and plugged it in the drain. Now I just had to wait for enough water to fill the tub. I moved to the table and lifted a soft, creamy towel and one of the soaps. I placed them by the hammer and thought about undressing. I didn’t like being vulnerable, but my weapon was right there...

I looked up and caught my reflection in the mirror and a horrified woman stared back at me. She had long dark hair that had once been in a neat plait but had mostly come loose and hung about her face in a tangled mess. Her golden-tinged skin was quite pale and smudged with soot. Shadows bloomed under her eyes, and her cheekbones were a little too sharp. No wonder the Zulenii were afraid of me.

I didn’t hesitate now to strip off my clothing and toss it to the side. I unplaited the rest of my hair and stepped down into the bathtub. The warm water felt so wonderful. I sank down in it, turning the spout off when I was submerged to my shoulders. I dunked my hair into the water, feeling the heaviness of the last few days slide away. The soap was slippery and sweet smelling, and it lathered easily. I washed my hair twice and every inch of my body multiple times. I’d almost forgotten how wonderful it felt to be clean.

Feeling very wasteful, I drained the water and filled the tub again. How much water did the Zulenii have stored in the palace? Once I’d refilled the tub with clean water, I washed off again, making sure to rinse all the soap from my hair. I drained the water once again and wrapped myself in the towel. How did they make such soft towels? I climbed out of the tub and wrapped my wet hair in another towel, then I walked to the hearth and allowed the heat to dry me off. I ate another piece of bread or three while I waited then wandered around until I found a chest of drawers. The first drawer held underthings. Some seemed familiar but others I had no idea how to wear.

The second drawer held long white shirts. I could sleep in one of these, but I didn’t like having my legs bare in an emergency. The third drawer held trousers like the Zulenii seemed to prefer. I found a dark pair with a drawstring waist and slipped them on, tightening them until they didn’t slide off my hips. I returned to the first drawer and donned a sleeveless white top that was a bit flimsy and sported a silly decorative bow between my breasts. I went back to the tub to retrieve my weapon and made a few practice swings. Yes, this clothing would be comfortable enough for sleep and for defense.

Taio still hadn’t returned, and I kept yawning, so I walked to the bed. A little set of three stairs led to the top of the mattress. Was I supposed to climb the stairs to the bed? I put my weapon on the top blanket and watched as it sank into the plush fabric. Feeling ridiculous, I climbed the little stairs and allowed my body to sink into the cloth. Everything here was so soft. I sat, plaited my hair, secured it, then sank back onto the blanket. My hand found the Zulenii hammer, and I kept a hold on it, closing my eyes for just a few minutes while I waited for Taio.

* * *

BIRDSONG WOKE ME. I heard the occasional bird when out on patrol or at home. We knew Hollows were close in the forest when the birds and insects were silent. But I had never heard birdsong like this. These birds trilled and screeched and cawed. I tried to ignore them, but they seemed so loud. Finally, I opened my eyes.

At first, I didn’t know where I was, but I wasn’t afraid. I felt Taio’s nearness, smelled his scent. I stared up at the ceiling, noting the flicker of sunshine on the plaster. Taio hadn’t disturbed me when he’d climbed into bed with me. And he was in bed with me. His arm was a comforting presence across my midsection, his face pressed to the side of my neck. I closed my eyes again, enjoying the safety of his arms and this golden palace. Was anyone else in the palace awake yet? Had the fires in the valley been fully extinguished? Would I be able to speak to Leed today—

“Sleep,” Taio murmured against my shoulder.

“I’m trying,” I said. I squeezed my eyes closed then turned my head. “Taio?”

He sighed, opened his pretty blue-green eyes, and looked at me.

“Does Leed live in the palace?”

“No.” His gaze fell on my bare shoulder, and he kissed it.

“Will I see him today?”

“It is likely.” He rose on one elbow and his gaze traveled from my eyes to my mouth then down. “I do not want to talk of Leed.” His hand on my belly slid upward, cupping one of my breasts. Suddenly, I didn’t want to talk of Leed either. “You wear this,” Taio said, teasing my nipple until I gasped. “But when I come to you, you sleep.”

Taio toyed with the pink ribbon on the garment I wore, and I looked down and realized that the garment was almost completely transparent. I hadn’t noticed that last night. “You should have roused me,” I said.

“Not for all the tertanium in Earsleh. You need sleep.”

“I’m not sleeping now,” I said.

His gaze met mine, and he tugged gently on the little pink bow. The garment I wore came apart, separating into two pieces. Taio pushed them aside and bent to kiss my exposed breasts. I arched for him, loving the feel of his hands on me. His palms were warm and slightly callused as they scraped over my tender flesh. “I have never seen you in the light of day,” he murmured. “So belleza.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, never having heard this word in Zulenii.

“Pretty but more than pretty,” he answered. His hand moved back to my belly then dipped into my trousers. The drawstring had come loose, and the trousers slid down low on my hips as his fingers traced a lazy path to my core. I squirmed with impatience as he took his time exploring. He watched my reaction, his eyes darkening.

“Kiss me,” I whispered. Fingers still seeking my heat, he lowered his mouth to mine. I put my arms about his neck, kissing him fiercely. I wanted him to know the pent up need he was creating. But my passion only inflamed his. He nipped at my lip and whispered something in Zulenii that would probably make me blush if I asked for the translation. I ran my hands down his bare back, feeling his hard muscles and the way his body warmed and responded to my touch.

Then his fingers reached my sex, and I gasped with pleasure as he parted me. “Taio,” I whispered. He kissed my cheek and my jaw.

“I should stop?”

“No!”

“I want to hear you cry my name,” he said. “Now that we are finally alone.”

I nodded as his fingers stroked me, making my breath come faster and faster. “I want you inside me,” I said between moans.

“Yes,” he said, nuzzling my neck. “After.”

My hips rocked as I tried to increase the friction between us. He changed the rhythm of his strokes, and I made a soft cry.

“Like this?” he asked, licking a path to my breast.

“Yes. Yes. Oh, gods.”

Taio’s hand stopped moving, and he lifted his head from my nipple. The blood thrummed in my ears, and I arched my back. “Don’t stop,” I all but cried. I was so close.

But Taio wasn’t looking at me. He pulled his hand out of my trousers, and I let out a small forlorn sound. He said something in Zulenii then looked back at me. He tried to pull my shirt back together then seemed to give up and slid off the bed.

“What is it?” I asked. “Where are you going?”

“Someone is at the door,” he said. He halted in front of a cabinet, opened it, selected one of the garments hanging within, and crossed back to me. “Put this on.”

I took the robe and barely had one arm through the sleeve when the knock at the door sounded. I assumed I hadn’t heard it the first time.

“Wait,” Taio ordered. He helped me push my other arm through the sleeve then tied the sash. “Ready?” he asked. I nodded, though I had no idea who or what I was supposed to be ready for.

Nothing could have ever prepared me for what I did see when the door swung open silently.

A woman with golden hair that shimmered to her waist stood regally in the doorway. She had light blue eyes that were pale as the sky on a very sunny day. She was tall, taller than me, and wore a tight white tunic over tight white leggings. If I were this woman, I might dress like that too. She was perfect.

“Welcome back, Taio,” she said in Zulenii. At least that was how I translated it in my mind. The greeting was informal, not the one I heard most of Taio’s people use with him.

“Saabin. Good to see you.” Taio’s tone was friendly but reserved. And then I knew who this woman was.

Taio’s people were very direct, but we Earslehens were masters of subtlety. I was able to catch small nuances in behavior that told me more about a person than what their actual words conveyed. I had never heard Taio use that tone. Mayhap because I had never observed him with a former lover. Because that’s who this Saabin was. I had no doubt of that.

Saabin’s light eyes tracked to where I sat on the rumpled bed. I saw her throat work and her lips tremble as she tried to smile. For the first time, I rather liked that the Zulenii feared me. “This must be the foreigner,” she said, her gaze darting back to Taio.

“Saabin of the Second House, this is Lady Mara of Highcastle.”

I stood and inclined my head, though now I wished I’d had time to wash my face and fix my hair. I felt so unremarkable next to her. I’d felt this way for much of my life, but I’d always had the assurance of my place in the kingdom in the back of my mind. I belonged in Earsleh.

Now I had no such assurance. I was alone in Zleyval. My growing connection to Taio had mitigated my worries the past few days. I’d begun to trust he’d always be at my side. But now I looked at this Saabin, his former lover, and I couldn’t see why he would choose me. Not only was she striking, she was also part of his community. I was an outsider who didn’t fit in.

Not for the first time, I wondered if Taio was only using me for the cure to the red vein virus. He didn’t need to seduce me to gain my cooperation, but my emerging feelings for him made me more amenable.

I glanced at Taio and his gaze met mine. I saw a flicker of warmth in his eyes, and my concerns dissipated. Taio hadn’t seduced me. We’d wanted each other. And Taio was one of the most honest people I’d ever met. He had always told me the truth, even when he knew I wouldn’t believe it. I pushed my worries away—or, at least, most of them.

“Welcome, Lady Mara,” Saabin said. I hadn’t noticed what a beautiful voice she had. It was low and melodic.

“Thank you,” I said in Zulenii.

Her pale eyes widened. “You speak our language?”

“A very little,” I answered.

Taio cleared his throat. “Was there something you needed, Saabin? Lady Mara has not yet had time to dress.”

“Neither have you.” Her gaze went to Taio’s bare chest, and I had the urge to tear off my robe and drape it over him. I couldn’t fail to see the hunger in her gaze. They might have been former lovers, but she still wanted him. I couldn’t really blame her. He looked irresistible standing in his bare feet, his trousers that rode low on his hips, and his bare chest with its many muscles. His hair was loose about his shoulders, and he had dark stubble on his jaw. Most women and not a few men would find their mouths watering at the sight of him.

“Your mother asked me to collect Lady Mara for the morning meal.”

“I’ll bring her.”

Saabin inclined her head, her gaze still on him. “Your parents await you in the First Lady’s parlor.”

“Thank you.”

As she still showed no inclination to depart, Taio said, “Thank you, Saabin.”

Finally, she gave a weak smile, bowed slightly, and stepped out of the doorway. The door closed silently.

I arched my brows at Taio, and he took a step back. “Why that look?”

“You didn’t tell me about her.”

He furrowed his brow in seeming confusion. “I have not told you of most people in Zleyval.”

I couldn’t really fault him for that because I hadn’t exactly asked about people outside his family. I should have been more curious about his friends and...acquaintances. “But she is not most people. Don’t tell me you and she were not lovers.”

“Why would I lie to you?”

“Then you admit it.”

“This word, admit, has a negative sound in your language.”

“Don’t avoid the question, Taio.”

“There has not yet been a question asked.”

I sighed. “Were you and Saabin lovers?”

“Yes.”

I blinked. His answer was so stark and unvarnished. I’d expected him to say something like, that was a long time ago or it wasn’t like that or, selfishly, Her? She’s like a sister to me.

But he gave me an unqualified yes.

“That’s all you have to say?” I sputtered.

“You are unhappy?” He stepped forward and reached for me. But I put my hands out to ward him off and shook my head.

“I just wish you’d told me.” I stalked over to the paper screen, pushed it open, and went to the wash basin. I looked about for an ewer with water but didn’t see one. How was I to wash my face? Taio had followed me and reached past me now to turn the faucet handle.

I would never become used to this magic. I bent and splashed water on my face then looked into the mirror. I immediately wished I hadn’t. My hair was again a tangled mess; the shadows lingered under my eyes; and despite filling my belly last night, my cheekbones were still too prominent from lack of food on our travels. I looked tired and disheveled, and my mother would have burst into tears if she saw me.

My gaze slid to Taio, standing behind me, and I could see he was deep in thought. I turned the faucet handle so the water ceased and reached for a brush on the shelf nearby. At least I could tame my hair. Not that I cared if Taio didn’t want me anymore. I had other things to worry about—like that horde of Hollows on the other side of the river and my father sending an army to take me back to Earsleh.

“I understand why you are unhappy,” Taio said finally.

I began to plait my hair into an elaborate style that wrapped about my head. Since I doubted he was about to say, you don’t like picturing me rolling around naked with Saabin, I raised a dubious brow.

“In your kingdom, you have few freedoms. The king tells you who you marry and who you lie with. Those who disobey are punished. Is this accurate?”

“Yes.”

“In Zulen, we have no such prohibitions. We may lie with whomever we choose as long as he or she is willing. Some partners pledge loyalty to one another and marry. Such loyalty is highly respected. I never made such a pledge to Saabin or she to me. We simply found pleasure in each other’s...” His gaze flicked to mine, and he seemed to reconsider his next word. “...company.”

I finished with my hair and turned to face him. “Exactly how many people’s company have you found pleasure in?”

“I did not count—”

“Oh, gods! That many?”

“Mara—” He reached for me again, but this time all I had to do was narrow my eyes and he paused. “Our customs are different from yours. To judge me by your customs hardly seems fair.”

He was right. He was absolutely right, and I wasn’t judging him. I’d wanted to feel...special. And now I felt like one of many.

“You make a good point,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

He frowned, clearly not trusting that my response wasn’t some sort of trick.

“I don’t want to keep your parents waiting,” I said and looked about for my pack. I crossed to it and took out the letters my father sent as well as the lightweight gown and tertanium necklace my mother sent. I had another set of travel clothes, but they were wrinkled and stained. “Is this acceptable?” I asked, holding the dress up.

“That is belleza but too formal for a morning meal.” Without saying more, he strode to the cabinet where he’d found the robe and pushed the other clothing inside to one side. Then he systematically slid each piece back, considering, before finally pulling out a dark green material.

“What is this?”

“One piece that flows to the floor. It may be too long for you or too big, but you can belt it.”

He offered it, and I took it, my hands sliding against the soft material. “I don’t know,” I said, but he was already sorting through a drawer of underthings.

“Wear these underneath,” he said.

I wasn’t sure this garment would suit me, but as had been made clear to me multiple times already this morning, I was the foreigner here. So I took the garments, stepped back behind the screen, and slid it closed. I don’t know why I wanted privacy all of a sudden—no, I did know. I was still thinking about Saabin and didn’t want the comparisons.

“I will go to my chamber and dress,” Taio said. “Do you remember where it is?”

I thought for a moment, picturing the palace layout in my mind. “Yes.”

“If you finish before I return, come to my chamber.”

“I will,” I said. I heard the door close, and I slid the screen open to peer out at my chamber. I was already dressed, but I’d spotted a long rectangular mirror on the inside of the closet door and wanted to see how I looked. If I looked hideous, I’d wear my Earslehen dress, even if it was too formal. I swung open the door and stared at the woman in the mirror. I did not look like myself. I looked like a Zulenii—well, except for the golden tone of my skin and my dark eyes. But this gown was like nothing any Earslehen had ever worn. It had a high collar and bare arms. The bodice was fitted, and though Taio had worried it would be too big for me, it fit me snugly. The skirt was too long, but the skirt would bunch up if I tucked it in a belt. I’d just lift the hem as I walked. I loosened a few tendrils of hair to frame my face and nodded.

Next, I found my boots, wiped them off, and slid them on. The long skirt hid how inappropriate my scuffed patrol boots were for a dress like this. I would have preferred hiding in this chamber all day, but as that wasn’t an option, I’d be bold. I grabbed the letters of introduction and clutched them tightly, rubbing my fingertips lightly over the seal with the wolf embossed on it. I wanted my weapon too. I didn’t know if I was allowed to bring it, but I wanted it. I went to the bed and found the hammer leaning against one side. Taio must have put it there when he climbed in beside me last night. I hefted the hammer and wished again it was my skullcrusher. It wasn’t, but it was better than nothing. I secured it in my belt. Squaring my shoulders, I opened the door to my chamber, prepared to march to Taio’s chamber.

What I wasn’t prepared for—again—was Saabin.

She said something I didn’t have time to translate in my head, but she indicated the gown I wore so I assumed it was something about my clothing. I looked down at it, wondering if it was a mistake, but then she smiled and nodded at me.

“Belleza,” she said, and that was a word I knew. “Come. I’ll take you to the First Lady’s Parlor.” She offered me her arm, and I wondered how rude it would be not to link my arm with hers. Since I was a foreigner, I figured I could get away with not following some of the social rules. Instead of taking her arm, I pointed to Taio’s chamber.

“Taio asked me to go to his chamber,” I said in Earslehen because my spoken Zulenii was far too basic. But she seemed to understand and walked beside me as I started for Taio’s door.

“I’ve never met anyone from another kingdom before,” Saabin said, probably thinking I wouldn’t understand her. I didn’t exactly, but I understood generally what she was saying. “Do your people always carry weapons about?” she said, seemingly more to herself than me.

“Yes,” I said and lifted the hammer. “Be ready.”

Her expression turned somewhat fearful, and she gave me a tight smile. By that time we were at Taio’s door, and I knocked on it.

“Mara, come in,” Taio called from inside. I looked at Saabin to see if she’d noticed that he’d said my name and invited me into his chamber. But before I could push the door open, he opened it and stood in the doorway. If he saw Saabin there, he didn’t pay her any attention. His gaze locked on me and traveled all the way down the dress I wore and then all the way back up again. Heat flooded me everywhere, and I had the urge to tuck a finger into the high collar and loosen it. Taio’s gaze sharpened. “Why do you have a weapon?” he asked.

“For protection.”

“You have nothing to fear here. You are safe in Gold House.”

I gave him a long look and made no move to reach for the hammer. He gave a half laugh. “Will I find you sleeping curled up with the hammer every night?” he asked.

“Only one way to find out,” I said.

“As much as I hate to interrupt,” Saabin said—or at least something to that effect—“your parents are waiting.”

Taio offered me his arm. “We should go.”

With Saabin watching, I took Taio’s arm, and she gave a little laugh. Clearly, she was slightly afraid but not at all intimidated by me. Mayhap she thought to bide her time and seduce Taio when he grew tired of me.

No. I couldn’t think like that. I had to stop being a dusthead.

We returned to the receiving room from the night before, which was now flooded with sunlight and views of the mountain. Outside, colorful birds the likes of which I had never seen flew to and fro, but I didn’t have much time to watch them before Taio steered me toward a door to one side. Saabin took a seat on one of the chairs. Apparently, she was not continuing with us.

Taio opened the door, and we entered a smaller chamber. Small, that is, compared to the enormous receiving room. This room was obviously intended for an intimate group. Instead of the stark white and gold of the formal areas of the palace, this chamber was painted pale blue with darker blue-green accents on the moldings. Several chairs and a couch in jewel tones sat around a small hearth with a cheery fire crackling. On the other side of the parlor a man rose from a round table covered in a pale blue and white cloth. I recognized the man from the night before—Taio’s father. Beside him, Omira smiled at me. Beside her, Lady Onnigh also gave a tentative smile. As Taio led me forward, the two ladies also rose and came around the table to greet me. Taio’s father bowed and said, “Welcome, Lady Mara.”

I bowed in return. “Thank you,” I said in Zulenii.

Then Taio’s mother was before me, pulling me into her arms. “Lady Mara, again, welcome.”

My gaze met Omira’s over Lady Onnigh’s shoulder. Omira laughed. “Mother, you are making her uncomfortable.”

Lady Onnigh immediately pulled back. “I am? I apologize.”

“Her people do not embrace so freely. Now, move aside so I can make her uncomfortable.” Then Omira pulled me into an embrace. “Let go of your weapon,” she whispered in my ear, and I realized I was clutching the hammer tightly. Slowly, I forced my hand to open just as Omira released me.

“Lady Mara,” the queen said, “you must tell me if I offend you.”

I didn’t understand all her words, but Taio murmured a translation as she spoke.

“There was no offense,” I said with Taio translating. “Your customs are different than mine, but I will become accustomed to them.”

“Remember Leed told us her people are not affectionate,” the king said.

“An embrace is just courtesy, not affection,” Lady Onnigh said. Taio didn’t translate any of this, but I pieced it together. Truly, I was not offended. When Taio had come to Highcastle it had never occurred to me that other people were even alive in the world, much less that they wouldn’t know our language or ways. My way seemed natural and right, so I saw my past self in the Zulenii queen.

“Shall we sit?” Taio asked, indicating the table.

“Yes, yes!” The queen gestured toward a padded chair, and Taio led me to it, taking the seat to my right. Omira sat on my left, and I appreciated her support. Across from us were the king and queen.

“Tea?” asked the king.

Taio nodded. “Thank you, Father. Two cups so Mara might also try it.”

The king rose, and I jumped to my feet as well. The queen started and dropped the metal lid covering a plate. The sound reverberated through the chamber, and everyone looked at me. Well, not everyone. Omira’s head was down, and her shoulders shook with laughter. Taio took my hand and tugged gently. “You need not stand every time my parents do.”

I gave him a skeptical look. “But they are the rulers.” Effectively the king and queen—whatever they wanted to call themselves. “It doesn’t feel right to sit much less allow them to serve me.”

“What did she say?” the queen asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“She still wants to treat you as a queen,” Omira told her with a snort.

“Oh, no, Lady Mara.”

“Mara, please sit and I will explain.”

I glanced at the monarchs and they both gestured to my chair and nodded. Reluctantly, I sat but remained at the edge of the seat.

Taio continued. “In Zulen, we do not have a king and queen. We are not a—I don’t know the word. Omira?”

“You know her language better than I.”

“Monarchy?” I supplied.

“Yes. My family is the First House, and we have traditionally been chosen by the people to lead. But the people do have a choice and every person in the kingdom votes once every decade. If another family is chosen then we would become the Second House and leave Gold House for the new First House to inhabit.”

I remembered Taio had introduced Saabin as of the Second House. Her family must have been the rulers here before Taio’s family.

“We refer to my parents as the First Gentleman and First Lady,” Omira told me. “And they are citizens like the rest of us. You need not kneel before speaking or stand when they stand.” She leaned closer so only I could hear. “In fact, you will probably terrify my mother if you do that again.”

I tossed Omira a scowl. This was all very strange. Every instinct in me wanted to rise because the king—First Gentleman—stood, but I held onto my seat. Finally, Lord Tsoh passed Taio a cup of brown liquid. He handed it to me and then took his own. I sighed with relief when the king-who-was-not-a-king finally sat. Lady Onnigh lifted the metal cover from the plate again and used a spoon to distribute some of the food to another, smaller plate. This plate she held out to me. I realized I was expected to take the plate, but I couldn’t help but glance at Lord Tsoh. Should he not be served first? And shouldn’t someone besides Lady Onnigh be serving?

Taio took the plate and placed it in front of me. “As our guest, you are served first,” he said. The queen—First Lady—served the others while I stared at my plate. I did not know what this food was, but it was sort of yellow and lumpy with bits of red and green in it. The food had been placed on a thin piece of bread. I watched Taio out of the corner of my eye to see how I should eat the food. He lifted what looked like a fork and speared some of the lumpy bits. I lifted my fork to follow his example, but then beside me I saw Omira use her bread to make a little wrapper for the food. She lifted the wrapper and bit into it. Was that how I should eat it? Did women eat the food differently from men?

My stomach rumbled at the delicious scent of the food, but I hesitated.

“Should I serve her something else?” the First Lady asked Taio, interrupting a conversation Omira and Lord Tsoh had begun.

“No.” Taio leaned close and spoke to me. “Are you not hungry?”

“I don’t know how to eat this. Like you or like Omira.”

Taio took hold of both my hands. I felt my cheeks heat at this blatant display of affection before his parents. I shot a quick look at them, but Omira and Lord Tsoh were still speaking rapidly in Zulenii and Taio’s mother was smiling in that tentative way she had.

“Mara.”

I looked into Taio’s blue-green eyes and felt some of my tension melt away. His eyes were so calm and steady. “We do not have rules here.”

“Everyone has rules, Taio.”

“Let me say again. Our rules are not so”—he released one of my hands and made his hand stiff as though it were a wall—“rigid. We value expressions of creativity and individuality. As long as you hurt no one physically or...” He tapped his heart. “Or in here. Hurt the feelings, I think you say.”

I nodded.

“As long as you do not do this, you may eat and sit and walk however you like.”

I did not quite believe him, but I trusted him. He had never done anything to hurt me—except that time in the arena, but that had been out of necessity. I still felt as though there were rules that might be unspoken, like the constant embracing, but he could hardly explain everything to me. The person I really needed to speak to was Leed. He could explain these people to me.

“Very well,” I said. “I will eat.”

“Good.” He lifted one of my hands and kissed the back. My face felt as though it were on fire.

“You’re embarrassing her, Taio,” Omira said in my language.

“She looks pretty with pink cheeks,” he said and went back to his meal. I could have hit him for saying that, but Taio had said I was not allowed to hurt anyone physically. I looked back at my plate and speared a piece of the yellow, lumpy food. I tasted it, chewing slowly, then smiled. It was unlike anything I’d tasted before but good. I smiled at Lady Onnigh, and she smiled back.

Taio had joined the conversation with Omira and his father. I’d missed the beginning, and with all three of them speaking so quickly, I couldn’t follow it. Instead, I ate my food and sipped my tea, which was also very good. After a little while, I heard a word I did know: marry. My gaze darted to the king—I mean, First Gentleman—and his expression was very serious. “You do not have to make that decision now,” he was saying to Taio, or something to that effect. “Give it time. Marriage is not a step to be taken lightly.”

“Her father did not allow me to leave with one of his daughters lightly,” Taio said. “The expectation was she would be my bride. I intend to honor the Claiming Rite.”

“You have brought her here safely,” Omira said. “If you treat her well, I think that is good enough. It’s better than you would have received if you had lost the rite.”

Omira’s words hit me like a blow to the chest. How could she oppose our marriage? Taio was right that my father expected me to become Taio’s wife. I was expected to become the next queen of Zulen. Of course, my father hadn’t understood that Zulen did not work that way. And Taio didn’t know that my father was sending an army to invade and bring me back.

So perhaps Omira had a point. Taio would have been killed if he had not won the challenge. If the information I had now was correct, my father still planned to kill Taio and countless others. This was something I needed to talk to Taio about, but not here with his family. In private.

The conversation had moved on, but I heard Leed’s name spoken and sat forward. I didn’t speak, but Lord Tsoh paused and glanced at me. “You have something to add, Lady Mara?” he asked.

“You say name Leed,” I said in his language, aware I sounded like an idiot but wanting to make an effort.

“I did.” He nodded, not giving any indication he thought my attempt at Zulenii laughable.

“Talk Leed,” I said. “Now.”

“He is not here,” Taio said slowly in Zulenii.

“Where is he?” I reverted back to my language as I couldn’t think fast enough in Zulenii and my thoughts were flying now.

“He is at the lookout, studying the behavior of the Twilight Men.”

“I need to see him right away.”

“I agree, but we can finish a meal with my parents first.”

“Fine.” I sat back slightly then heard the crinkling of paper. I’d almost completely forgotten about the letters of introduction my father had sent. I reached into a fold in my dress and pulled them out. “May I approach?” I asked Lord Tsoh.

Taio translated and the First Gentleman nodded. I stood and walked past Omira to her father. I sank to one knee and held out the letters. I know Taio said I didn’t have to do this, but it felt like the right thing to do. My father would have wanted me to present them thus.

Lord Tsoh took the letters with one hand but also covered my outstretched hand with his other. I jerked in surprise, but he didn’t move his hand. “Thank you,” he said. I gazed up at his face, and though he didn’t have the same face as Taio, he had the same eyes. His eyes looked kind, even if the rest of his face was stern and hard. “Should I read these now?”

I realized he wouldn’t be able to read them as they were written in Earslehen. I glanced at Taio, but he gave me a curious look. “What are those?”

“Letters of introduction from my father.”

“Ah. He gave them to you before we departed.”

“Yes. Can you read them?”

“My reading of your tongue is weak. We will ask Leed.” He rose and bid me stand. “Mara, no one doubts you are who you say. There is no need for letters.”

I nodded. I knew this, but I’d felt compelled to present them anyway. I felt I owed my father that honor, even if I now knew he didn’t deserve it or any other honors either.

“Come, we will find Leed,” Taio said.

With a few words to his family, he led me out of the parlor and back into the receiving room.

Where Saabin waited.

I’d almost forgotten about her. She stood, graceful as one of the birds fluttering outside, and I was once again stunned by her beauty. I had never seen anyone with golden hair like hers. She was also the tallest woman I had ever seen. She was only a little shorter than Taio. She asked Taio a question, her gaze remaining on him as though I didn’t even exist.

Taio answered, using my name and Leed’s name. She must have asked where we were going. She didn’t seem to like the answer, either, as she made a disgusted face. Was it Leed she did not like or the lookout? She sighed and took Taio’s arm, which made my brows go up. Apparently, she was accompanying us.

Taio asked her another question, but he didn’t disentangle his arm from hers. She answered, smiling up at him, and I wished I had nails so I could rake them over her face. Taio seemed to accept whatever she said, and he started forward. Then, as though he’d forgotten me, he turned back. My face must have told him something because his own cheeks went pink, and he dropped Saabin’s arm.

“Mara, are you ready?” he asked.

I gave him a long, unblinking look. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I apologize.” He held out a hand, but I didn’t take it.

“Is she coming?” I cut my gaze to Saabin, who stood smiling at me as though she knew exactly what had annoyed me.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“We can discuss it later.”

I put my hands on my hips. “And if I want to discuss it now?”

“Then we risk Leed leaving the lookout before we arrive. We could spend all day chasing after him.”

I heaved out a breath. “Fine.”

Taio offered his hand again, but I swept past him and out the large doors to the receiving room. The stairs leading to the first floor were right there, so I didn’t have to pause to get my bearings. I swept down them, head held high. Below, several Zulenii were standing in the entrance hall. They looked up as I came down the steps, their expressions turning to terror. They separated and fled for the corridors on either side of the entrance hall. Good. I hoped they were trembling in their impractical open-toed shoes.

I reached the enormous doors, which were flung wide, showing the expanse of the Golden Path and the bustling city.

No one stopped me, so I stepped outside.