A small portion of the Tazalghit forces had joined us in M’Gaadir to demonstrate the alliance between them and the crown. Arinaas would join us in the procession to the capital for Maram’s coronation. I’d been surprised to find that she and Arinaas had become fast friends and that the stoicism she wielded among the makhzen disappeared among the Tazalghit soldiers. Maram had noted that it shouldn’t have surprised me at all—Aghraas was a warrior, and the trappings of civil politics frustrated her. Among the warrior women she’d found the same sort of kinship I found with Maram now.

“Do you know, Galene has fled to Luna-Vaxor,” she said.

“I cannot imagine what you might have said to her to convince her,” I said on the edge of laughter. I liked Galene as little as Maram did, and she was, in truth, the planet’s greatest threat. Most of the High Vath had fallen in line, and would remain so as we extricated their claws from the planet. But if Galene chose to rally even a few of the generals to her cause, it would turn to all-out war.

“I asked her if she preferred I take up the Vathek tradition of sororicide,” Maram drawled. “She found, suddenly, that she had business interests in Luna-Vaxor and left soon after.”

I smiled. “Very well done.”

“M’Gaadir is yours,” Maram said.

My expression froze, my eyes still fixed on the sight below, before my mind caught up with my hearing and my head swung rapidly to look back at Maram.

“What?” I gasped. “You can’t be serious. It’s the heir’s seat.”

Maram did not look at me and instead continued to watch the events below. Aghraas and Arinaas stood side by side, their arms folded over their chests, as Idris and ‘Imad gesticulated wildly. Both of them had, like Aghraas, taken to the Tazalghit if for no other reason than the horse lords had much wisdom to impart. But the military leader of the Tazalghit enjoyed poking fun at them—she’d learned to ride for war, after all, and they rode for leisure.

“Amani, I say this to you because you have endeavored to be honest with me,” Maram said. “Aghraas … she is my forever. And even with whatever technologies are available, I do not relish the idea of natural heirs. But there must be a line of succession. For the stability of the state.”

My mouth gaped open. “Maram—”

“Besides,” she said. “Idris’s dowry is generous, but you should have something that is yours. This is yours.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“I—”