“Don’t die as they did,” he interrupted me.

“Idris—”

“Please, don’t die as they did. As ‘Adil did.”

My breath caught. “‘Adil is dead?” I whispered.

“They sent his body to his parents’ estate—it arrived last night.”

“Idris—”

I combed my fingers through his hair. “I am not a soothsayer,” I said at last. “But I will endeavor to remain alive.”

That made him smile. “That is not the same.”

“And yet,” I said, “it is what you must accept.”

His smile softened and his thumb stroked an arc over my spine. We had not been so close since before his marriage, and I was loath to pull away now. For a brief moment in time we were as we’d been before—together and content, unbothered by the outside world. I wanted to kiss him and I saw that same desire reflected in his eyes, in the way his hand tightened over mine.

“Your Highness?”

It was as if someone had doused me in cold water. I withdrew from the circle of his arms quickly and turned to face Tala. Behind me, I heard Idris come to his feet.

“Yes?” I said, breathless.

“She is asking for you,” she said quietly.

“Of course. Tell her I’ll be there shortly.”

I didn’t turn back to face Idris as Tala descended the steps back into the main level of the estate. My hand pressed against where his head rested on my ribs, as if he’d branded me there. When I turned around, he was no longer smiling. The air in my lungs seemed to thin as he stepped closer.

“I won’t keep you,” he said softly.

I fled.

I paused in the hidden corridor outside the double’s suite and waited for my hands to stop trembling. It wasn’t a surprise that I was still so affected by Idris, but in the last little while the machinations of state had taken over. I hadn’t had time. I drew in a deep breath, hid my still trembling hands in the folds of my skirt, and entered the double’s suite.

Maram was in the suite’s tower room, surrounded by dossiers, with one in hand as she paced the length of the room.

I sank to my knees with a murmured greeting.

“Did you approve this?” she asked, and held out a dossier.

My eyes widened as I came to my feet. “I don’t approve anything, Your Highness.” It was a dossier of the servants and handmaidens Tala had collated for hiring. “These are Tala’s recommendations for permanent additions to your household.”

“But you approve of them?”

She was nervous, I realized. Not angry.

“Yes, Your Highness,” I said. “Some are a little chatty, but they’re diligent, well trained, and, more importantly, loyal. To you and you alone.”

“Why do you like them?” she asked.