Page 109 of Heir

“Because it’s the logical thing to do. Yes.”

“And logic is all that matters.” Sufiyan sounded like he had in those months after Ruh had died. Like he couldn’t care less.

He walked away from their shelter, down the hill, and into the woods. Quil made to go after him, but felt a light touch on his arm.

“Leave him.” Sirsha stared out into the night. “You’ll only make it worse. I’ll track him. If anything threatens him, I’ll know. Sleep. I’ll take first watch.”

He nodded and squeezed her shoulder. “I’m here,” he said. “If you need me.”

Sleep was elusive, but it must have found Quil at some point, because before he knew it, Arelia shook him awake for the predawn watch. By the time the rain-heavy sky lightened enough to see their surroundings, everyone was packed up and the horses were saddled.

Quil hugged Arelia goodbye and told Sufiyan how to find Tas. To this, his friend merely shrugged before turning his back. It was clear he’d be happy to leave without a further word exchanged. But Quil had made the mistake of parting ways with someone on bad terms once before. He’d never do it again.

“Look at me, damn you,” he finally said to Sufiyan, who glowered at him, surly as an aging ox.

“Yes, Crown Prince Zacharias. Whatever you say, Crown Pri—”

“Oh, shut it,” Quil said. “I wanted to say thank you for doing this. You and I both know that you’re stubborn enough to ignore me if you wanted.”

Sufiyan shifted from foot to foot, jaw stiff. “You’re an idiot,” he said. “But don’t die. I don’t give a fig, mind you. But Ama will kill me if anything happens to you.”

“Same goes for you,” Quil said, “as she’ll killmeif anything happens toyou.”

“And if Laia kills you, Quil,” Arelia said, “the only practical choice as your favorite cousin would be for me to kill her. Which means Elias would have to kill me.”

“And then,” Quil said, hand on his chin, “Aunt Helene would have to kill Elias.”

“I’d have to kill her because she killed my father,” Sufiyan said. “But she’d end up killing me, obviously. Then my father would have to comebackfrom the dead to kill her—which, knowing him, he’d figure out how to do—”

“Well…who would I kill?” Sirsha said, and Quil was relieved to see that blank look was gone, replaced by the tiniest spark of mischief beneath the sadness. “It’s not fair that you get to have all this vengeance, while I’m stuck watching from the sidelines.”

“We’ll have to involve your sister.” Arelia put heel to flank, calling out from the bottom of the copse, “From what I can tell, R’zwana would inspire anyone to murder.”

“Don’t say her name.” Sirsha’s countenance went as dark as the clouds above. “Skies know she’s demon enough that it might summon her.”

Part III

Mother Div

31

Aiz

The morning after Aiz spent the night in Quil’s tent, he brought her tea.

“I’m grateful for the warmth, Idaka.” Aiz shivered as sand scraped the outsides of the tent, kicked up by a bitter fall wind. “But it smells awful.”

“It’s—ah—to prevent pregnancy.” Quil sat beside her. “I’m told it doesn’t cause pain.”

Aiz observed the murky green liquid. He’d clearly done this before. “I suppose it wouldn’t do for the Martial crown prince to have a half-Ankanese heir,” she said archly.

“You—don’t have to drink it,” Quil said, looking alarmed at the prospect of an heir. “If you don’t want to—”

“I’m teasing you, Quil.” Aiz pushed a lock of hair off his forehead. “I’m not in any hurry to have children. I doubt your aunt would approve, in any case. Have you told her?” Aiz asked. “About me?”

“Not yet.” Quil kissed her hand. “But I will.”

“I was thinking,” Aiz said. “The next time you go see her, you could take me with you—not because of this.” She gestured between them. “But she’s the Empress. Perhaps she could help my people.”

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