“I am surprised, Mother,” Ellina said, careful to keep her tone light.“I thought you would want to hear my troop’s report.”
“I do. But that is not why I summoned you here tonight. Now please,” Rishiana unfolded a hand and repeated her command, “sit.”
Ellina had no choice but to do as her mother asked. She urged her legs to move—one breath, two, before the muscles obeyed—and sat.
Mercifully, a row of servers appeared then, allowing Ellina a moment to compose herself. She smoothed the fabric of her trousers, touched a finger to the dagger hidden underneath. She let the motion calm her. She reminded herself again that, no matter what the queen had heard about her and Venick’s battle in Kenath, no matter what she suspected, she knew nothing for certain. And Ellina knew how to play her own hand, did she not? She knew how to court certain questions and avoid others, how to twist the truth, even in elvish. She watched the servants ladle hot broth into golden bowls and prepared to steer the conversation in the direction it needed to go—one that avoided all questions ofwhy, but instead focused on questions she could answer easily, in any language:whatandhowandwhen.
The servants withdrew, but the queen did not immediately speak, and so Farah and Ellina did not, either. The first course passed in silence, as did the second. Wine was served. Ellina accepted but did not drink. She toyed with the stem of her glass.
Only after the servants presented the third course did the queen speak again. “As I said, there is a reason I summoned you here tonight, and it is not to hear your report.”
Farah set her silverware down with a delicate clink. Ellina kept her eyes on her plate.
The queen said, “I am leaving the city.”
Ellina’s attention snapped up. She was so surprised that she switched to mainlander without thinking. “What?”
“That is my reason for calling you here today,” the queen continued, following Ellina into that language. “My sister, your aunt Ara, has fallen ill. A wasting disease. She has sent for me, and I will be journeying to the city of Lorin to see her.”
Ellina gripped the edge of her seat. Relief—pure, like spun gold—poured into her, followed by quick confusion, then fear as she processed her mother’s words. “No,” Ellina finally replied. “You cannot go.”
“Of course I can.”
“It is not safe. We are atwar. The queen remains in Evov during times of war.”
“I am traveling north, not south. And Ara is family. She does not have long to live.”
Ellina had never met her aunt Ara. She lived in the far northern reaches of the territory and never visited. From what Ellina knew, Rishiana and Ara had once been close, but soon after Rishiana became pregnant with her first daughter something had happened between the two sisters. A terrible fight, Ellina was told, though aboutwhat, no one seemed to know. After, Ara had left the city for good.
Ellina said, “Surely Ara could come here…”
Rishiana dismissed that idea with a wave of her hand. “She would not survive the journey in her condition.”
“Let me come with you, then.”
“No.”
“But—”
“I need you here, with Farah,” the queen said. “The two of you must govern in my place while I am away.”
“Thetwoof us?” Farah interjected. “Mother,Iam your heir. Surely I do not require Ellina’s help…”
“You will accept it nevertheless.”
“She knows nothing about the court. She is rarely evenhere.”
“Ellina serves these lands, just as you do.”
“Not in the same way.”
“Is your pride truly so tender?” Rishiana asked coolly. Ellina imagined her mother arching an eyebrow, though of course the queen would never. It was perfect poise for her mother, perfect calm, as always.
Farah leaned forward, imploring. “This is not about pride. It is about trust.”
“You are right. I trust you to respect my decision.”
“But—”
