Page 197 of Daughter of No Worlds

Reshaye.

With a start, I paused and searched my mind for it. I found nothing. No movement, no whispers, no sign of it within the web of my thoughts. This was not totally surprising, considering how Reshaye disappeared shortly after a large display of magic. It was probably just as exhausted as I was.

And I wanted the break. Needed it. Who knew what I would face when it returned.

My head swam with questions.

“Where are we?”

“The Mikov estate. One of the guest houses.”

I must have looked visibly alarmed, because Sammerin quickly added, “The Orders have taken power here now that the Mikov line has ended.”

“TheOrderstook power?” I rubbed my temple. That was odd. Why would the Orders have any claim to the city? And why would theywantit?

“I don’t entirely understand it, either. From what I’ve heard, it sounds like they made some wise investments in the land and wealthy businessmen here, so when Ahzeen was killed—”

“Theyboughtthe city?”

We stared at each other in silence for a moment. My jaw worked.

“I find it suspicious, too,” Sammerin said at last, quietly.

“And the slaves?”

As long as the slaves were freed, I didn’t care what happened to the Mikovs’ wretched city.

“We have them.” He gave me a small, quiet smile. “I would call this a successful journey. And… there is someone here who is extremely anxious to see you.” Sammerin went to the door, then paused, fingers on the handle, and turned back to me.

“You did well, Tisaanah.”

My eyes dropped to the bedspread. “Everything went wrong.”

“Almost,” Sammerin said, “But not quite.”

“I’m sorry that you had to experience this.”

He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I’m not. Perhaps I was a bit concerned in the middle part. But some things are worth it.”

He motioned to the door, raising his eyebrows as if silently asking,May I?

I nodded, my heart crawling to my throat.

Sammerin left the room. I let my eyes drop down to my hands.

Until I heard footsteps.

“Tisaanah.”

Gods, it had been so long since I had heard my name said like that— with the sharp lilt of my mother tongue.

I watched my fingers clasp around each other, the image blurring.

Two more footsteps, approaching the bed.

“Tisaanah.”

I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, for so many reasons.

---