‘He’s stable at least. But still on his back.’ Erlan rose and went to lean against the window frame, gazing east across the straits to the grey hills beyond.

‘Do you think this changes things?’

‘I don’t know. He seemed adamant before.’

‘Hmm. Are they any closer to catching the assassin?’

Erlan shook his head. They weren’t likely to be either. Not unless he told them what he knew. But he had decided to keep the identity of Leo’s would-be killer to himself. Lucia was right. She had given him a chance and he had repaid her service to him in bad coin. With this, though, the debt was settled. He wouldn’t let her go a second time.

‘If Leo is still refusing to reach out to the Bulgars, we have to think of some other way to shorten the siege.’ She turned from her mirror. ‘This makes it even more important to win over Nikolaos.’

‘Nikolaos, Nikolaos,’ he scowled. ‘He’s all you talk about. You’re—’ He cut himself short.

‘What? Obsessed?’ She gave an angry snort. ‘We’re going to need every advantage we can find. When we return—’

‘First things first, huh?’

She turned back to the mirror with a scowl of her own. Seeing her back to him, he relented. Gods, enough had happened that they didn’t need to bicker like this. But he was still concerned. Lilla had been a guest in the fire-maker’s house three times in the past four days. She meant to go again today. He knew her well enough that once she set her mind on something, there was no gainsaying her. He came up behind her, his hands slipping around her hips. ‘What’s he like – this son of Kallinikos?’

Her hands settled over his. ‘Quiet. Insular,’ she said to the face in the mirror. ‘I’ve tried everything to charm him but he seems immune to it. I mean, he’s not unfriendly. But nervous. . . Awkward around me.’

‘He’s probably terrified of you,’ Erlan chuckled. ‘Is he married?’

‘He has a wife. A tiny woman who never says a word. She seems more servant than companion to him. At least from what I’ve seen.’

‘You should be careful. I know the emperor introduced you but I don’t think he’d be too happy about your getting too close to his firemaker.’

‘He’s got more important things to worry about than me—’

‘I’m serious. Besides, there are dangerous folk prowling the city.’ Erlan was certain that Lucia couldn’t be the only enemy skulking within the walls.

‘I know what I’m doing.’

‘Do you?’

She tipped back her head and kissed him. ‘I’ll be careful.’

There was a bang on the door. When Gerutha answered it, there stood one of the green-cloaked sentinels with a summons for Erlan to the imperial chamber.