And still, for all the anger she’d seen in Gyre, she couldn’t help but think that if he would only listen, she could reach him. If I could sit him down and explain everything. Tell him about my work with Jaedia, how we’ve helped people. The threats of plaguespawn and dhakim were real. If the Order doesn’t stop them, who will?

She wished, more than anything, that Jaedia was with her. She would understand everything.

From time to time, she caught the sound of conversation outside her door, but not clearly enough to make out the words. No one seemed inclined to come and check on her, in any case. Eventually, she decided to at least try to sleep, and to her surprise she barely managed to get her boots off before collapsing into bed. Between blinks, night outside the windows changed into a rosy dawn, and someone was knocking at her door. Maya sat up, head spinning.

“Who’s there?” she said.

“It’s Beq.”

Shit. Maya looked down at herself, still in a rumpled uniform stained with ash, blood, and sweat. “Uh. Wait a minute, would you?”

“Are you all right?” Beq said.

“Fine. Just … hang on.”

What she really needed was a bath, but that would have to wait. Maya hurriedly stripped and went over herself with a dampened towel, removing at least the worst of the grime. She paused for a moment at the sight of the Thing in the mirror—the little arcana was surrounded by a ring of angry red flesh, puffy to the touch. It itched.

Another thing to ask Baselanthus about. She shook her head and dressed—thankfully, the palace staff had cleaned her other uniforms—before rushing to the suite door. Beq, framed between the two Legionary guards, was carrying a tray with breakfast, for which Maya was suddenly ravenous.

“Let me put this down,” Beq said, depositing the food on the table and closing the door behind her. Then, to Maya’s surprise, Beq wrapped her in a tight hug. “Chosen defend, Maya. Are you okay?” She pulled back and put her hand against Maya’s forehead. “You’re burning up.”

“I’m all right,” Maya said. She was more aware than she wanted to be of the shape of the other girl’s body pressed against her. Idiot. She’s trying to be a friend, something you badly need, and you’re thinking about … that. “Really. A night’s sleep helped a lot.”

“You must be starved,” Beq said. She was also dressed in a fresh uniform and looked considerably better than Maya felt. “Please, eat something.”

Maya didn’t need more urging than that. She sat down at the table, guzzled water from the pitcher, and started in on the vulpi bacon and toast. Beq sat down opposite her and watched with a faint smile.

“Sorry to eat like a thickhead,” Maya said. “I just didn’t realize how badly I needed this.”