“Because my mother told me so. She was Ashguard’s daughter.”

“And… you remember your mother well?” asked Prindi, leaning forward. Like many of the others, she had no memory of her parents, so it was fascinating to hear from someone who did.

“I was seven when the Revinir bought me at auction,” said Asha. “I remember my mother well. She was in the crowd, at the back. My father had already been killed. She was in danger.”

“Was it your mother who sold you?” asked Reza, incredulous.

“No, of course not,” said Asha. “I was free for my early years—no one knew about me. We lived in hiding near the foothills that separate Ashguard’s village and property from the cavelands, though we visited him sometimes at the palace when it was safe. One day, dragon hunters strayed off their path when I was collecting sticks for the fire. They startled me and noticed my eyes. They came at me, and I barely had a chance to scream. My father came running and attacked them. And then… they killed him.”

“Oh, Asha,” Clementi murmured. “That must have been horrible.”

Asha didn’t answer at first and kept her head down. “We have all seen a lot of things we wish we hadn’t.” Then she lifted her chin, glanced at her new friend, and tried to smile. “It has been years. I don’t dwell on it. It’s too hard.” She reached out her hand and took Clementi’s. “It’s better to think on what can be done, rather than what can’t.”

Clementi nodded. “And your mother?”

“I assume she’s dead too.”

Maiven Taveer looked up. “In the image you see of Nadia’s capture—was it your mother at the scene?” The memory of that scene was burned into her mind. Watching her daughter’s friends being forced to do something horrible hurt Maiven, too—she knew they would never get over it.

“Yes. My father didn’t have black eyes.” She paused. “They killed him anyway to keep him from coming after me.”

“Asha,” said Maiven, leaning forward, “I believe I know who your mother was. We called her Adhi—was that her name? Adhira? Ashguard’s second daughter?”

Asha stared at Maiven. “Yes,” she whispered. “You knew her?”

Maiven smiled warmly. “What a charming girl. She spent nights at the castle. She and Nadia were very good friends from the time they were barely able to walk.” She hesitated, seeing Asha’s face. “That image in your mind—that was the last time I saw Adhi. The usurpers captured me soon after and threw me into the dungeon. I am glad to hear she survived long enough to find love and have you. Though I am so sorry for the life you were forced to live.”

Asha smiled. “It makes me so happy that you knew her, Queen Maiven,” she said. “And that you thought she was a good person.”