“I need Riini. And Joxii. And any other children whose tendrils have grown back quickly after you did your duty as an imperial and severed them.”
Under her golden makeup, she went pale. She and I both understood that House Chaliko had never severed a child’s tendrils, so she knewexactlywhat I was asking for.
Slowly, she nodded, her chin touching her chest and leaving behind a soft brush of gold on the fabric. “They are being housed in some outbuildings, Your Highness. Do you want me to take you there?”
I nodded sharply, and she gestured for me to follow her. Before we could leave the house, Tallu caught my hand. Hisfingers wrapped around mine, his rings digging into my flesh, his face pulled tight in a frown.
“Airón,” Tallu said in a low voice.
“This is not something you can help me with, husband.” I reached out, covering his fingers with my own, stroking the back of his hand gently. I could feel the veins standing out, his long, beautiful fingers clutching mine tightly.
“Is it not?” Tallu challenged. His russet eyes were fierce, catching hold of mine and refusing to let go. “Because I know I can be a great deal of help.”
I looked at him. The blood had been wiped clean from his face, and his expression was serious and focused. We had an audience, but he didn’t seem to care, letting all of his worry for me show.
“What sort of emperor would I be if I risk your life for the Imperium?” He leaned forward, his breath running over my ear. “What sort of lover would I be if I let you do this alone?”
My hand stilled on his, my fingers encircling his wrist. I looked down, unable to meet his eyes, denying myself the sight of them, because I knew that as soon as I did look, I would give in. I would let him have his way.
“If you come with me, I am not sure I will have the strength to complete the task.” Because I knew what the cost was going to be of raising so many trees. My memories would slip through my fingers, given away freely in exchange for the hope of Tallu’s life.
“I go with you, or you do not go at all,” Tallu said. His voice allowed for no negotiation, no argument. “Do you understand?”
I looked at him helplessly, feeling myself smile. “Husband, I very much doubt that any of your guards will allow you to come with me.”
“Then let them come,” Tallu said. “We will face the consequences together.”
Without looking away from me, Tallu raised his voice. “General Saxu, your job is to protect the remaining servants and soldiers that have come with us all this way to Tavornai. I will take myDogs and Prince Airón into the swamp and we will return with the information we need.”
“The location of General Namati?” General Saxu asked, and it was as close to a challenge as the old warhorse would let himself get.
“Pack a meal. Pack two. We may be gone for the rest of the day.” Tallu glanced at a servant lingering in a doorway and she startled, her cheeks flushing violet as her elven ears went back even further.
She bowed, unable to make herself speak.
Then she was gone and Tallu tugged me back into his rooms, ordering that we both be changed into clothing more appropriate for traversing the swamp.
By the time we had been dressed again, Lady Chaliko was holding a large basket in her arms, Sagam’s sisters on either side of her.
She bowed her head and gestured for us to follow her.
The three remaining Dogs surrounded Tallu and me, and of the three, it was only Gotuye I worried over. Sagam had shown us elven magic yesterday, and Asahi would do nothing to risk his lover’s life. Gotuye was the only one whose reaction to finding out our task I could not predict.
The three of them let Iradîo take position with them, working her into the guard formation as though she was masked and wearing the dark clothing of a Dog.
“What did she ask you for, Your Highness?” Lady Chaliko asked. Her eyes cut to the side, as though she could look behind her, but we were far enough away from the house that even the most sensitive ears couldn’t hear us.
“The Pirate King asked us to regrow more elder trees.” I didn’t stop walking, my eyes fixed on the place in the forest where we had grown one the night before.
Lady Chaliko stumbled, and Riini gasped, reaching out with her hand to grab hold of Joxii’s. She held it tightly. “More?”
“More,” I said. I looked at her, my eyes catching on her frown, as she held her lips tight between her teeth. She looked down.
“Of course.” Her eyelashes fluttered as though she was holding back tears. “They would always need more.”
In daylight, the swamp was wreathed in mist like lace on a woman’s shawl. The tall trees seemed less threatening, and when I heard a crackle and looked up, I could see a monkey-like creature in the branches, its wide face and dark brown fur blending with the branches. It cocked its head, then dropped lower, using only its tail to hold it in place.
Next to it, something larger moved, tiny tendrils matching the motions of the monkey’s arms and legs. A small child turned her face away from the bark of the tree, blinking down at us as we walked.
