Page 153 of Heir

She leaned down and took his lips between hers so he could cry out into her, so they could cry out into each other, leaving their wanting and everything they couldn’t say in each other’s chests, in the chambers of their hearts.

After, when they lay next to each other, she turned to him to find him looking at her.

Their coin burned hot as she traced his face with one hand. Sirsha knew the pattern was blooming, and grief lanced through her, because if he was her Adah, her other half, then what would he do when she was gone? It would hurt—more than he could know. Not just the pain of love lost, but the sundering of a blood oath. She still felt the hole where J’yan’s oath had been, years later.

But he wouldn’t be alone. He had Sufiyan and Tas and Arelia. They would help him. He’d get through it.

“Sirsha.” He caught her gaze and held her tight. “Your eyes look like you’re saying goodbye. Come back. Be here with me.”

She nodded, looking away so he wouldn’t realize that shewassaying goodbye. She just didn’t have the strength to speak it aloud.

44

Quil

It was still dark when Quil left Sirsha sleeping. He kissed her forehead and slipped away, only to spot Tas sneaking out of the groom’s quarters in the inn’s courtyard.

Tas grinned. “I’ll keep your secrets if you keep mine.”

Quil chuckled. “Nice to see that some things don’t change.”

“All part of the job, little brother. That groom knows every guardsman in this district. If someone comes looking for us, we’ll know. Where are you off to?”

“The High Seer,” Quil said. “I’d like to have a few words with him about Ambassador Ifalu.”

Tas nodded. “Tread carefully. The harbor’s shut down and gate watches were doubled. They know someone stole the Ikfa.”

A half hour later, Quil was face-to-face with the Eye of Ankana, one of the holiest men alive. But for all that High Seer Remi E’twa of Ankana painted himself as all-knowing, the look of surprise on his face when Quil entered his monkish quarters indicated an omnipotence that was more limited.

Maybe because Quil entered via one of the man’s few windows, instead of through more diplomatic channels.

“Crown Prince Zacharias.” Remi rose from a simple oak desk, where a pot of chamomile tea steeped. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. I did not realize you were visiting Burku.”

“Maybe you need better informants, High Seer Remi.”

“Perhaps, crown prince.” The High Seer smiled with genuine warmth, but Quil watched him warily as he pulled another mug from his cabinet. The prince took a risk being here. If the High Seer was part of the plotagainst the Martials, Quil could find himself imprisoned or killed. Ambassador Ifalu certainly had no qualms about murder.

The High Seer poured a mug of tea for Quil and offered it to him.

“May I express my sympathy at the suffering of your people,” the High Seer said. “We were most saddened to learn—”

“Ambassador Ifalu has been feeding my people misinformation, High Seer.” Quil didn’t touch the tea, nor did he much feel like acknowledging the High Seer’s sentiment. Better to get to the point. “She did this while pretending to be an ally and a representative of your people. Her treachery directly led to the deaths of thousands of Martials, Scholars, and Tribespeople, as well as the occupation of our homes by the Kegari.”

“Ambassador Ifalu?” Remi’s shock was sincere enough that Quil believed it. “Impossible. She is one of our most respected seers, crown prince. Forgive me, but you must be mistaken.”

“I’m not,” Quil said. The High Seer of Ankana didn’t need to know about Quil’s magic. “I know the ambassador as Ena Ifalu. Has she ever gone by another name? Dolbra, perhaps?”

Remi paled. “Dolbra was her daughter’s name—she died at birth. Very few people knew that Ena named her. How did you come by this information?”

“Reliably.” Quil considered the suspicion on the High Seer’s face. He didn’t believe Quil. But he hadn’t thrown him out, either.

“High Seer, I have the utmost respect for you and your judgment. Last year, the Empress told me that you sought your replacement. Everyone expected you to name Ambassador Ifalu. Your councilors and advisers. Your people. The ambassador’s family. Even Ena herself. But you haven’t named her yet. Why?”

Remi took a sip of tea, but he held his cup so tight Quil thought the handle might shatter. “I’m not ready to step down yet.”

“Your ability to read people is legendary,” Quil said. “The reason you pushed for the Ankanese to open trade with the Empire was because you met the Empress. You saw who she was and who she could be. What do you see when you look at Ambassador Ifalu?”

The High Seer’s teacup clattered as he placed it on its saucer.

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