Page 49 of Heir

Quil understood then that Sirsha was either far stupider than she seemed, or far more reckless. “Did you rob a bleeding Jaduna? How in the skies did you survive?”

“No one robs a Jaduna and lives to tell the tale.”

Quil thought the frisson in Sirsha’s voice was fear, before realizing that it was pride. He understood then why she appeared familiar. She bore the hallmarks of her people. That surety of gaze, the haughty walk, the confidence that comes with knowing you’re the most powerful person in the room.

“Youarea Jaduna,” he said. Of course. Elias wouldn’t trust anyone less skilled to hunt for Ilar and Ruh’s killer. “Why haven’t you broken free yet? You could’ve taken our heads off.”

“We have two minutes before they can see us clearly. Three before they land. Don’t spend it asking doltish questions.” Sirsha raised her voice so Sufiyan and Arelia could hear.

“I’m a Jaduna sorceress, traveling from Adisa, where I’ve completeda contract. You”—she pointed to Arelia—“are my maid and have taken a vow of silence. Sufiyan, I picked you up in Navium after my engine failed. And you, Quil, are my bodyguard and manservant.”

Sufiyan stifled a guffaw at the crown prince’s demotion to “manservant.”

“Don’t get your knickers in a bunch,” Sirsha said as Quil bristled. “You’re the best fighter here, and if it comes to it, I’ll need you on the deck stabbing people.”

Quil struggled to hide both his pleasure at Sirsha noticing his skill in combat and his discomfort at being reduced to a mere killer.

“I’m trusting you,” he said. “Don’t make me regret it.”

“The rich boy has teeth.” Sirsha purred at him, her smile flashing in the darkness. “I like it.”

The Kegari hovered directly above them now, the metal of their great dark Sails flashing. Quil tucked clenched fists into the pockets of his tunic to hide his rage.I spend most days angry, his aunt told him once.But that doesn’t mean I have to show it.

Sirsha drew herself up, face hardening into the imperious lines of a Jaduna sorceress. Quil, standing behind her, took a step back. The magic-users were legendary. Even the Empress approached them with great care, insisting that Quil learn the intricacies of Jaduna law and etiquette so he could treat with them appropriately.

Ropes dropped from the Sail, and two Kegari soldiers rappelled down, spry as acrobats. One was lanky and dark-haired; his female companion was light-haired and freckled. They wore sleeveless flight leathers and shining white wrist cuffs.

Quil tried not to stare at those cuffs, but after fighting the Kegari in the city, he knew what they were. Weapons that stretched and moved with a life of their own. Weapons that had torn through Empire soldiers.

“Light of the Spires,” Sirsha greeted the Kegari in Ankanese. Arelia exchanged a glance with Quil. Of course a Jaduna would speak Ankanese—it was the primary language of the entire Southern Continent. Aunt Helene insisted Quil speak it fluently, and Arelia had a knack for languages.Light of the Spireswas not a phrase either of them had heard.

“Long may it guide us.” The dark-haired Kegari lifted his brows at Sirsha. “The Jaduna have ever been courteous to the Kegari. We didn’t know your people to sail these waters.”

“I am on a sacred mission,” Sirsha said. “Of an urgent nature.” She didn’t add more, and the Kegari didn’t ask, possibly as leery of the Jaduna as the Martials.

“Do the Jaduna not have their own transport? Why use an Empire vessel?”

“I will not explain myself to you.” Sirsha spoke slowly, as if to a child. “Our people don’t interfere with each other. Let’s not upset centuries of tradition.”

The Kegari tilted his head, assessing. “You’re caught in the middle of a war, Jaduna. It would be within my rights to have you held until I confirm you’re not spying for the Martials.”

“Do you own the ocean as well as the land, Kegari?” Sirsha snapped, and the boat rocked, seemingly in response. The other Kegari shifted from foot to foot, uneasy.

“You have no rights here.” Sirsha stepped into the man’s face, chin high, so much a Jaduna sorceress that Quil wondered how he’d missed it. “And yourwar”—she spat the word—“has already delayed me. Go your way. And perhaps I’ll not mention to Raani Inashi-fa Ima S’rsha iy R’zwana that you dared to suggest a Jaduna would serve as a spy for any nation.”

Bleeding hells.Perhaps Sirshawasreckless. The Raanis were the highest-ranking Jaduna. The six women led their people as a unit. Quil couldn’t imagine one would take kindly to having her name bandied about as a shield.

The Kegari stepped back. “Where is your ship headed, honoredJaduna?” He was considerably more polite. “I will provide you an escort, so you are not harassed further.”

“No Jaduna needs an escort—”

“Nonetheless,” the Kegari said with a bit more steel in his voice, “I am honor bound to provide it. At least for a few days. Revna will accompany you.” He nodded to his companion.

The bastard had trapped Sirsha. If she rejected him, he’d suspect something was wrong and their deception might be discovered. If she accepted him, they’d be stuck with a Kegari looking over their shoulder, possibly for weeks.

Sirsha was apparently making the same calculation as Quil.

Say Ankana, Quil willed her.Say we’re going south.

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