Page 193 of The Priory of the Orange Tree

“The jewels must be sterren,” Ead said. “Even if Kalyba did not make them. If they are not our kind of magic, they must be the other.” The Prioress nodded slowly. “I vowed to her that I would bring her the fruit. Is she like to pursue me when I do not?”

“I doubt she will squander her magic on a hunt. In any case, you are protected here.” The Prioress watched the sun descend. “Say nothing of this to your sisters. Our next line of enquiry is this . . . Neporo.”

“An Easterner,” Ead said quietly. “Surely that tells you that the Mother was interested in the world beyond the South.”

“I tire of this subject, Eadaz.”

Ead bit her tongue. Chassar shot her a cautionary look.

“If Neporo spoke true, then to defeat our enemy, we will need both Ascalon and the jewels.” The Prioress rubbed her temple. “Leave me, Eadaz. I must . . . consider our course.”

Ead inclined her head and left.

In her sunroom, Ead found Aralaq snoozing at the foot of her bed, weary from their journey. She sat on the bed beside him and stroked his silken ears. They twitched in his sleep.

Her mind was a crucible of stars and fire. The Nameless One would return, and the Priory had only one of the three instruments needed to destroy him. With every hour that passed, the danger grew in Virtudom, and Sabran was at greater risk. Meanwhile, Sigoso Vetalda was building his invasion fleet in Quarl Bay. A divided West would not be ready for the Flesh King.

Ead pressed close to Aralaq and closed her eyes. Somehow, she had to find a way to help her.

“Eadaz.”

She looked up.

A woman stood in the doorway. Tight curls wreathed her brown face and tumbled into tawny eyes.

“Nairuj,” Ead said, rising.

They had been rivals when they were children. Nairuj had always been vying with Jondu for the attention of the Prioress, which Ead, loving Jondu as her elder sister, had taken very much to heart. Now, however, Ead took Nairuj by the hands and kissed her on the cheek.

“It is good to see you,” Ead said. “You honor the cloak.”

“And you have honored all of us by shielding Sabran for so long. I confess I laughed to see you shipped off to that ludicrous court when I was young and foolish,” Nairuj said, with a wry smile, “but I understand now that we all work in different ways for the Mother.”

“I see you are serving her as we speak.” Ead returned her smile. “You must be close to your time.”

“Any day now.” Nairuj placed a hand on her belly. “I’ve come to prepare you for your initiation into the Red Damsels.”

Ead felt her smile growing. “Tonight?”

“Yes. Tonight.” Nairuj chuckled. “Did you think that after you banished Fýredel, you would not be raised at once when you returned?”

She guided Ead to a chair. A boy came in and set down a tray before retreating.

Ead folded her hands in her lap. Her heart had the wings of a flock of birds.

For one night, she would put aside what she had learned from Kalyba. She would forget everything that had happened outside these walls. Since she was old enough to understand who she was, she had known that she was destined to be a Red Damsel.

Her dream was here. She meant to savor it.

“For you.” Nairuj handed her a cup. “From the Prioress.”

Ead sipped. “Mother.” A weave of sweet flavors unspooled on her tongue. “What is this?”

“Sun wine. From Kumenga. The Prioress keeps a supply,” Nairuj whispered. “Tulgus in the kitchen sometimes lets me have a taste. He’ll let you have one, too, if you say I sent you. Just don’t tell the Prioress.”

“Never.”

Ead drank again. It tasted exquisite. Nairuj took a wooden comb from the tray.

---