“W-what?” I stammer, turning to her.
Her deep blue eyes narrow as she studies my face, glancing toward the bar. “I asked if you want to dance.”
“Oh. Um, no. I’m all right. You go ahead.”
“I’ll check in on you soon,” she promises with a quick kiss to my cheek, then joins the crowd on the floor. The dance is nothing like the Tundrayni drum dance or even the ballroom dance of Arbinj—it’s something else entirely, all loose limbs, swaying hips, and wide smiles as partners twirl each other, never releasing their joined hands.
I watch Sura for a while. She moves with a carefree energy that I almost envy, her head thrown back in joy. She’s been happy—shemusthave been to laugh so freely. My heart swells at the thought, but there’s also an undercurrent of grief I can’t ignore.
“You should ask him to dance,” a warm voice says in my ear.
I startle. It’s Zev’s mother, leaning on the table beside me. I hadn’t heard her approach in the raucous room. Her eyes are ringed in red, as if she cried long after we left her office. Still, she manages to smile as she adds, “He can’t keep his eyes off you.”
My cheeks heat.
If he wanted to dance with me, he would have asked. The bitter words bounce around my head, but I can’t exactly voice them to my mother-in-law. Instead, I gesture to the table, and we sit.
I fidget with my hands, and after a beat, ask the question that’s lingered on my tongue since I learned she knew Mama.
“What do you remember about my mother?”
The lines around Tairna’s mouth tighten. “She was brave. Kind. We both arrived within weeks of each other. Not this camp, of course. Everyone fled after Tormik discovered it. Those who survived, anyway.” She sighs, tapping her fingers on the worn table. “Meerah kept her identity a secret, but I could tell from her mannerisms that she was noble. I’d been around enough highborn ladies by then. Eventually, I asked her point-blank, and she told me who she was. We were fast friends after that.”
Tairna’s eyes glisten, and when she smiles, it’s grief that hugs the curve of her lips. “I tried to convince her to send you back, Mayah. I-I don’t know if that was right of me. But I knew a king would never tolerate losing his heir. But she wouldn’t listen. She loved you. More than her own life. She couldn’t bear to be parted from you.” Tairna reaches across the table and brushes a tear from my cheek. I’m not sure when I began crying.
My mother-in-law takes a deep breath, steeling herself. “She would have been proud of the woman you’ve become.” Her hand covers mine over the table, and I’m surprised to find I welcome her comfort.
Tairna bites her lip, her dark gaze fixed over my shoulder. “I didn’t want to leave him, Mayah. But I had no other choice. It killed me bit by bit every day, knowing he was still there. Alone. And it’s killing me now to see the pain I caused him. I don’t know if he’ll ever forgive me.” A lone tear slides down her cheek, quickly wiped away. “But just being near him is enough.”
Her words slice through me in a way I don’t expect.
I know exactly how she feels.
“Will you tell me about him?” she requests softly. There’s hesitation in her eyes, but also hope.
“He thought you were dead. It’s haunted him.” I resist the urge to turn and look at him. “It’s been difficult for Zev with Faramir and his father. But even through all that grief, all the evil aroundhim, he managed to turn outgood. And, I think, it’s because of you.”
Another tear slides down her cheek as she shakes her head. “That’s kind of you to say. But Vayru made himself into who he is.” She sniffles, wiping her tears. “What about his relationship with his father?” Her fingers absently rub her wrist.
I press my lips into a grim line. At the palace, I had viewed everything Varad did through a lens of hatred. Now, I’m not sure.
“I think Varad loves him in his own way.” Tairna’s lips tighten into a scowl. “He wasn’t a good father by any means. But he tolerated more disrespect from Zev than my father would’ve ever allowed from me.” I cut my gaze to hers. “The marriage proposal to his ‘second son’ was just an excuse. Varad intended to ransom me—he told me as much. I think he only agreed to the marriage because he could see that Zev—” The words don’t want to pass through my lips. “Zev cared about me.” My voice cracks.
Tairna doesn’t say anything for several heartbeats, just swirls the amber liquid in her glass. “Has Zev been happy?”
I don’t want to tell her the truth.
“I think he’s been alone for a long time. He doesn’t trust anyone. Doesn’t let anyone in.”
She gives me a soft smile. “Until you.”
I take a deep swig of ale to mask the trembling of my lips. When I don’t return Tairna’s smile, hers slowly fades. “Were you disappointed to have married him? Instead of Faramir?”
“No. Not at all.” My words ring with truth. “I was relieved, actually. Zev and I had gotten to know each other better during the journey. I knew he was a good man. That he wouldn’t hurt me. That … I could trust him.” Fresh tears well in my eyes. I take a shaky breath, forcing my heart to slow.
“And are you happy with my son?” she asks softly.
“I-I don’t think Zev would like it if he knew I’d discussed our marriage this way.”
