Surprise lit in Amryn, because Ahmi had never spoken about her history.
“It was something my parents arranged,” Ahmi said. “He was an older man. A retired soldier who drank more than he should have. He often took his anger out on me.”
Amryn’s heart clenched. She had no words, other than, “I’m so sorry, Ahmi.” Saints, they weren’t enough.
But Ahmi gave her a small smile of silent thanks. “After my husband died, I sought refuge within the church. My local cleric recommended me for a servant’s position in Esperance. It was a perfect fit for me. And when we were told about the Chosen and the arranged marriages, and High Cleric Zacharias asked some of us to volunteer as a lady’s maid, I didn’t hesitate. My situation was very different from yours, but I’d faced an unwanted marriage to a stranger. I knew if I could be there for one woman in the same position—be able to keep an eye out for the abuses I suffered and help in any way I could—I needed to do so.” She took ameasured breath. “It took me time to trust Carver, especially with his military background, but he has proven to be a good man. I can see that he cares for you—and I know you care for him.” Her smile was tearful but sincere as she said, “I thank the Saints every day your marriage was nothing like mine.”
Awed by this woman’s strength and compassion, Amryn wrapped her arms around her, squeezing tightly.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Ahmi returned her embrace, any thoughts of protocol lost between them in this moment. When Ahmi eventually pulled back, her eyes shined with unshed tears. “As much as I’m grateful to the church, and for my time in Esperance, I would like to remain with you. If you’ll have me as your maid.”
“Yes,” Amryn blurted, not even pausing to consider how she would pay for Ahmi’s services when she didn’t have access to coin. “Please. Thank you!”
Ahmi chuckled as the effusive words spilled from her. “Thankyou, my lady. Seeing your courage has inspired me to pursue a life outside the temple walls again. I’ll speak to High Cleric Zacharias tomorrow and tell him of my decision not to return to Esperance.” Her lips quirked. “And I’ll tell the palace maid her services are no longer required.”
Chapter 10
Carver
AllCarverwantedtodo was check on Amryn. Instead, he was stuck in an endless meeting where he was forced to keep retelling his story.
The emperor and Jayveh had left hours ago. Carver was now seated at a table on the edge of the throne room. The emperor’s steward sat nearby, but Hector hadn’t said a word as he wrote in his notebook, documenting everything that was discussed.
Carver’s father sat beside him, a mostly silent but steadying presence. He was the High General of Craethen, but he allowed Morelli and Keats to take the lead in questioning Carver. Probably to avoid showing any hint of bias.
The two generals sat across from Carver as they asked him a thousand questions about his experiences in Esperance. He felt like he was slowly going mad. Or that he was on trial.
Sympathy lined Morelli’s face as he asked his questions.“Is it possible the men who attacked you on the road were lying? Could they have been with the Rising?”
. . . “I know we went over this already, but can you remember any names spoken among the rebels who attacked you on Zawri?”
There was no sympathy from Keats, who was relentless in his questioning.“Tam truly gave no indication that she was a danger to Prince Argent?”
. . .“Is it possible Chancellor Trevill was a member of the Rising?”
. . . “Go over your plan again for the Feast of Remembrance. What precautions did you take to keep Argent safe?”
Carver endured every question with a stoic calm, but he could feel the fractures growing as time wore on.
Then Keats asked, “Do you trust your wife?”
The stark question made Carver’s spine lock. “Yes. I trust her completely.”
Morelli shot Keats an irritated look. “What sort of question is that?”
“An important one,” Keats responded easily, not looking away from Carver’s steady gaze. “You have no doubts whatsoever about Amryn’s loyalty to the empire?”
“None.”
The sound of Hector’s quill scratching across paper was the only sound as Carver stared at Keats, both of their expressions hard.
The skin around the older general’s eyes tightened. “I thinkIwould have doubts about her. She betrayed you and the empire once. What’s stopping her from doing it again?”
Morelli muttered a curse under his breath, but he only leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his barrel of a chest.
Carver’s hands fisted beneath the edge of the table, his eyes firmly on Keats. “Amryn was recruited specifically for this mission in Esperance—she had no prior contact with the rebels. And while there, she didn’t harm anyone. The moment she realized the lethal danger Argent was in—thatIwas in—she came forward. From that moment on, she did everything to protect us and the empire.”
