I rubbed at the rib-space over my heart. “It’s easier not to.”

A bell sounded then, signaling a visitor’s arrival. Maram had already gone, which meant the only other possibility was Nadine. Tala and I exchanged a look and I gestured for her to leave.

“I’ll handle it,” I said softly, and went out.

Nadine stood in the center of the courtyard attended by a single Garda droid. I sank to my knees demurely and bowed my head.

“My lady,” I greeted her.

“It is good to see the Kushaila can take a lesson,” she said. “Though I wonder if this is simply more of your excellent acting.”

I said nothing and kept my eyes on the ground.

“You did well enough at the wedding and feast,” she continued. “Well enough, at least, to convince the princess that you are a necessary and reliable security measure to bring along to M’Gaadir.”

Still I remained silent, but my mind raced. So, she had kept the wedding night a secret from Nadine. What was she hiding that even the high stewardess could not know?

“The princess has not returned to the foolish state of mind you instilled in her months ago,” Nadine continued. “She knows your kind are not to be trusted. So, you will be the shield that anticipates the knife, the wrist upturned for the viper. Understand?”

“Yes, my lady,” I said.

“The celebration is a honeymoon hosted by the Salihis,” she went on. “In light of that, the families present will be Andalaan, though that should be small comfort to you. Most of them will ape at being Vathek. You will tour the city, host these families, and be ready and willing to die in her place. You will behave as Maram at all times. Am I clear?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Sending you with Maram is not an act of trust,” she said at last. “It is an unfortunate necessity.”

“Yes, my lady,” I said again.

“‘Yes, my lady,’” she repeated. “How sweet you are.”

Her hand gripped my chin. I was sure when she released me there would a trail of four small crescent moons indented in my skin.

“Understand this,” she said, her voice hard, and jerked my chin. “Your family’s survival depends on your cooperation. Misbehave, and they will begin to lose both limb and life.”

A chill settled at the pit of my stomach. Nothing would erase the image of my brother being beaten by the Imperial Garda.

But Nadine’s omission of the bedding ceremony had revealed something to me. She did not control Maram as she thought she did. More importantly, this visit revealed that she knew it and feared it. Feared me. Feared what sway I had over Maram, and the pull her kin would exert when she was surrounded by them. Perhaps even encouraged to love them.

I bowed my head when she released my chin. “Yes, my lady.”

two

TARD: THE HUNT

7