Bato hesitated then, sensing he had edged into hazardous territory. “I only mean to say, Dayang, that it’s not the same when you’re up there on that platform. It’s nothing like training. You fight differently. Every reaction is heightened somehow. I don’t know how else to explain.”

Laya knew nothing about fighting, but she knew when her sister was being talked down to. “I’m sure you don’t have to tell Bulan that,” she said harshly. “She’s the finest swordsman in all of Maynara.”

Bulan’s eyes snapped to hers, shocked at the ferocity with which Laya defended her.

“Of course. I never meant to imply she wasn’t.” Bato’s skepticism might not have been intentional, but it seeped out anyway.

Laya frowned. She might have cut him down where he stood had Luntok not butted in.

“Bato’s right,” he said abruptly. “I didn’t realize it until yesterday. When you’re up there and the crowd is jeering . . . It’s nothing Vikal could have ever prepared me for.”

Laya rolled her eyes. “Yes, well, Vikal is no Ojas.”

“No, that wouldn’t be fair, would it?” Luntok shot back sarcastically.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Laya tensed. The gentle breeze ground to a halt around them. Beyond the palm leaves, the sun ducked behind a passing cloud, casting shadows across the white-jade basin. Any shred of lightheartedness between the lovers faded.

“Laya,” he groaned, reaching for her arm with brazen intimacy. This time, she recoiled from his touch with a terse shake of her head⁠—another warning.

It was Bulan who spoke first, breaking the tension between them. “You don’t believe I can win, do you?”

Bato’s eyes widened. “No, Dayang, that’s not at all⁠—”

“It’s OK, I know what you meant . . . Anyway, like Luntok said, it wouldn’t be fair,” Bulan said in a tight voice, more to herself than to anyone else. Distracted, she turned away, her fists caught in her skirts.

Laya frowned. “Where are you going?” she demanded.

But Bulan barreled through the gardens as if she hadn’t heard her, leaving Laya to ward off her suitors alone.

Her sister was still missing long after the royal gardens’ visiting hours ended. The sun began to set on the horizon, and the nobles departed through the palace gates in a steady stream. Laya joined them. Feeling guilty from missing the beginning of the tournament, she agreed to watch Luntok’s final fight. She tried her best not to worry about him as she made her way to the tournament platform, oddly with Eti in tow. Laya tried to tell Eti that fighting was ugly and dull, but Eti had insisted on coming. Why, Laya knew better than to guess, but she was grateful not to have to watch Luntok’s fight alone.