Her father knew men’s hearts or he would never have climbed so high in the Assembly of Consuls. She despised his cynicism, but every move he made was for a purpose.

And, more than anything, if the gods were kind, and she came to live in Xanthos as a queen, she would never have to take her father’s orders again.

The banquet was in full swing. A lyre, tambourine, and flute player played festive melodies, the three musicians filling the Royal Palace’s great hall with sound. The savory smells of roasting lamb and goat lingered; the attendees’ bellies were already full and only the occasional drunken guest stumbled over to the fire pit to have the servants cut him more meat. Garishly dressed Xanthians gesticulated with their wine cups as they clustered in groups of anywhere from two to a dozen.

Glaukos and Philippos were a little apart from the rest, deep in discussion, while in the center of the banqueting hall, Dion sat on a bench covered in cushions with Isobel next to him, her body tilted to face him. If her previous clothing had been revealing, she now wore a scandalously low-cut chiton the color of gold, matching her necklace.

Dion lifted his cup to his mouth, but saw it was empty. As always, a steward refilled it before he’d managed to decide whether he wanted another.

Isobel laughed. ‘Banquets aren’t your thing, are they?’

‘How did you guess?’

‘The people who drink the most are either the ones who love the noise and the company, or the ones who use the wine to get through it. I’m getting to know you, Dion of Xanthos, son of Markos. You are definitely the latter.’

‘Sorry,’ Dion said. He hadn’t meant to drink so much, but Isobel was right. It made him nervous to have Lord Philippos watching him with his daughter, and to be sitting in the middle of the hall, with people grinning and all eyes on him.

‘Ignore them,’ Isobel said. She put her fingertip under his chin and lifted his head. ‘Look at me instead. So, what do you think?’

‘About what?’

She chuckled. ‘I was asking what you think of the law against slavery.’

‘What I think of it?’ He was surprised to hear himself slur. ‘It was my idea.’

‘Oh.’ She leaned back, but then raised an eyebrow and gave him a smile. ‘There is still slavery in Koulis, and certainly in Ilea.’

‘We’re trying to lead by example. It will end everywhere one day. Ilea will be the most resistant to change.’

‘Have you met their king? They say he’s terrifying, a big warrior, with an even bigger bodyguard who goes everywhere with him.’

Dion thought about the handover of Mercilles’ wife and Jax’s death. Despite the treaties and trade deals between Xanthos and Lamara, he hadn’t seen Kargan since.

‘I’ve met him. He’s the man who captured Chloe.’