She stilled, and I felt my heart give a painful thud when at last she saw where Maram and Idris stood. Her walk was not sedate or leisurely; there was something predatory in the way she moved, and I felt my own hands tighten around the folds in my skirt. Maram, for her part, remained perfectly impassive, a half smile on her face as Nadine sank to her knees then rose to her feet.

“Your Highness,” Nadine greeted.

“Welcome to M’Gaadir,” Maram said. There was no joy or happiness, but a diplomatic neutrality that I marveled at. I could not understand her fear of going into court—she was so practiced at it, in a way I knew I was not. Polished and at ease with power. “I trust your journey was easy.”

“It was, Your Highness,” she replied. “You need not have troubled yourself to greet me.”

Maram’s smile grew just a little, and I felt a strange swell of pride. “Of course I did. What sort of host would I be otherwise? We have prepared chambers for you in the eastern corridor.”

“I normally stay—”

“Yes,” Maram interrupted. “Adjacent to the royal suite. I have ordered them renovated. They will be absorbed into the royal suite by the end of the year.”

Nadine seemed at a loss for words. For long moments she stared at Maram, and Maram, to her credit, stared back, one eyebrow raised.

“Have I said something confusing, Nadine?”

“No, Your Highness,” she said, and inclined her head. “I am glad you are settling in so well.”

Maram gestured to a serving girl behind her. “This is Nahla,” she said as she came forward. “She will show you to your rooms and organize your staff so that they don’t disrupt the rhythms of the estate.”

Nadine knew, of course, what that meant. They would be watched and reported on and prevented from spying on Maram if they attempted it. Her hand did not fist in her gown, but there was something in the air about her that changed.

“I look forward to hearing your news from the capital,” Maram finished. Nadine gave her a small bow and that was that. I felt another swell of pride. Maram was royal and I’d always known that. But her self-imposed exile had worried me, that she’d somehow lost her ability to navigate court life, or that she’d given it up like an ‘ifrit giving up its magic in exchange for mortality. But now more than ever I felt the possibilities of her future and the future of this planet open up.

04. Maram

04. Maram

STARDATE 4393, SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE IMPERIAL WEDDING