Banu giggles into her wine. "I give him an hour before he's back, looking suspiciously satisfied and claiming everything is 'secure.'"
"Two hours," Emir corrects. "He'll need time to actually check some of the perimeter to maintain plausible deniability."
"Look at you, General," Banu says with mock admiration. "So tactically minded even about other people's romantic encounters."
His ears go slightly red, but he doesn't take the bait.
Kaan takes the seat Zoran vacated, leaning close enough that only I can hear. "Your brother with a lady friend. I never thought I'd see the day."
"Be nice," I whisper back. "He's finally happy."
"I'm always nice." At my raised eyebrow, he amends, "To people who matter."
"Well," Banu says, stretching her wings and floating lazily above her chair, "since we've successfully traumatized Zoran into fleeing, shall we actually discuss the meeting agenda? Or would you prefer to place more bets on everyone's personal lives?"
"Can't we do both?" I ask.
"I like how you think, my lady."
The four of us settle into working through the agenda without Zoran, making notes of items that will need his input later—once he returns from his very thorough and completely professional perimeter inspection.
"The eastern territories are still restless," I note, pointing to areas marked in red on the map. "They're used to more... aggressive leadership."
"They'll adapt," Kaan says firmly. "Or they'll be replaced."
I place my hand over his on the table. "Or they'll be convinced that peace serves their interests better than war ever did."
Kaan's expression softens. "Always the diplomat."
"Someone has to be," I tease. "Between your brooding and Zoran's new trade negotiations, this court needs at least one person with social graces."
Banu snorts. "Trade negotiations. I'm using that."
"Please don't," Emir says tiredly, though his mouth twitches with a suppressed smile.
After the meeting concludes,I slip away to visit the palace gardens—my sanctuary through all the chaos of the past year. The roses are in full bloom, their scent heavy in the warm air. I find a bench beneath a flowering tree and close my eyes, letting peace wash over me.
"Mind if I join you?"
I open my eyes to find Banu standing before me, her wings catching the sunlight. Without waiting for an answer, she sits beside me, her shoulder pressing against mine in familiar comfort.
"How are you, truly?" she asks, her perceptive gaze missing nothing.
"Good," I say, and I mean it. "Really good. The nightmares are less frequent now. Some nights I sleep straight through."
She squeezes my hand. "And you and Kaan?"
I smile, thinking of how far we've come. "He's trying so hard, Banu. Every day, in a thousand small ways. Did you know he had the kitchens stock those honey cakes I've been craving?”
Banu's expression softens. "The fearsome Shadow Lord, stockpiling pastries."
"Don't tell anyone. He has a reputation to maintain."
"Your secret is safe with me." Her expression turns fierce. "But if he ever stops being this ridiculous about you, fairy or not, I'll find a way to make him suffer."
I laugh, leaning my head against her shoulder.
"And you and Emir?" I ask, watching her expression bloom.
