Of all the women, only Hema said nothing. She’d simply sat and listened, a smile playing on her mouth. She reminded Mehr a little of Lalita. She had that same confidence, that same sly mirth in the shape of her lips, as if the world were one glorious amusement to her.

“We’re lucky to be here—we never forget that, do we, girls?” Hema said, and the other girls fell silent, hanging on her words. “But that doesn’t mean we’re not curious about the world outside.”

“Perhaps you could go to Jah Irinah one day,” Mehr suggested. She watched their faces. She saw the shadow pass over them.

“No,” Anni said, speaking for Rena, who was playing with the hem of her sleeve, her head lowered. “Our place is here. This is where we serve.”

“I apologize,” Mehr said, looking from one face to the next. At least she knew now: She wasn’t the only one caged here. She softened her voice, allowing vulnerability to creep into it. “I still know very little about what it means to serve the Empire as you do.”

“Well, we’ll be happy to teach you,” Hema told her. “We can show you all the beauty we have here.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “It may not compare to Jah Irinah, but I promise, despite first appearances we have plenty of it. The oasis, for instance.” There was a chorus of agreement. “We share our own room near the water,” Hema continued. “You’ll have to come and see it.”

They were watching her expectantly, a dozen eyes fixed on her face. It was unnerving.

“I would love to, if I can,” Mehr said finally. She doubted she would be allowed to slip away to meet them, but it would be pointless to reject their offer. Better to make them think kindly of her than turn them away entirely.

Hema smiled at her, pleased. “Good,” she said.

Many of the mystics had vanished. Under the canopy were dozens of abandoned lengths of cloth and plates. Hema looked around, gave a sigh, and rose to her feet. Mehr watched with some amusement as the other women followed her lead again. Hema, she thought, was like an empress holding court.

“You could help us tidy, if you like,” Anni offered shyly. “We could always use another pair of hands.”

Mehr rose to her feet. Before she could respond, she felt a hand clamp tightly onto her arm.

“Unfortunately she isn’t available,” Kalini said curtly.

The girls visibly cowered away. Only Hema was foolish enough to stand her ground. She narrowed her eyes. “Kalini,” she protested. “I don’t think—”

“The Maha expects this one to learn her place,” Kalini said, cutting smoothly through Hema’s own protest. “Have you forgotten yours?”

Hema crossed her arms.

“Don’t talk to me like that,” she said. “I hate it.”