Mehr had always prided herself on her ability to conceal her true feelings. It wouldn’t, couldn’t fail her now. Her secrets were not written on her skin. Let him have her fear, let him have her revulsion. She would not show him the truth of her unfinished vow, the lie of it, the hope of freedom she couldn’t shake. She could keep those from him. She had to.

Mehr heard the scuff of gentle footsteps. The Maha looked away from her, his gaze lifting beyond her shoulder.

“Amun,” she heard him say. “Your presence wasn’t requested.”

“It is my duty as her husband to be by her side.” Amun’s low, unreadable voice had never brought her as much comfort as it did then, coming from the balcony entrance. She turned and saw him bow low, head to the floor as Kalini had done. His face was uncovered, marks gleaming a fierce blue in the light. He rose. “And it is her duty to remain beside me in return. I came to fulfill our mutual duties.”

“I’m glad to see you take your vows so seriously,” said the Maha. He sounded amused. Much to Mehr’s relief, he stepped away from her, allowing Amun to stand by her side in his stead. “I take it you have enjoyed your reward? Answer me honestly, Amun.”

“We’ve lain together many times.” Amun’s voice was a blank canvas. “She wears my mark.”

True. And not true. They had lain together, but not in the way Amun clearly intended the Maha to believe they had. She wore his mark, but it was incomplete, burning and churning her flesh like a small flame. Amun had not lied to the Maha, not disobeyed—he’d simply twisted his words so carefully, so cleverly, that he’d concealed the truth with a veil of misdirection. Knowing now how the Maha hated dishonesty, knowing the power of his voice, Mehr could only marvel. And bite down on her tongue to keep her own silence.

The Maha gave a soft laugh. He placed a hand on the edge of the balcony, raising his face to the sun.

“She pleases you, then?”

“She pleases me greatly,” Amun said.

If Mehr bit down any harder, she’d soon taste blood.

“A gift to you, and a gift to all of us,” murmured the Maha. “What a gem you are, child.” The Maha looked at her again. “You want to serve the Emperor, don’t you, Mehr?”

“I share my husband’s duties,” Mehr managed to say. She felt Amun’s sleeve brush hers.

The Maha straightened and reached for Mehr. Amun tensed.