“Are you referring to Nix and Ny, or to Hermia and Gerd?” asked Wad.

“Is that Danny’s mother’s name? How unfortunate.”

“How are things going here?”

“I waited for him to come to his bedchamber, so we could have a private interview. But now I can sense that he is fully … relieved.”

“Allow me to witness your conversation,” suggested Wad.

“You don’t trust me,” said Anonoei.

“This is Bexoi’s body, and she was a creature of astonishing rage and cruelty,” said Wad. “Are you sure you have these passions under control?”

“I’m a manmage, you miserable witling kitchen boy. Go away, please.”

“I can’t watch the master of manipulation at work?”

“Go.”

“Afraid I’ll recognize the techniques you use on me?”

“Nothing that works on Frostinch would work with you. He’s coming, so go.”

The privy door opened; Anonoei didn’t have to look to see that he was gone. Whatever else Wad might be—and he did have the trickster streak—he would not deliberately subvert what she was trying to do here.

“So who are you?” asked Frostinch. “Since your intentions are so benign.”

“Don’t you remember me, my darling boy?” said Anonoei.

Frostinch took a candle from a sconce on the wall. “Cheeks fatter, but that’s the pregnancy. I do believe you’re my Aunt Bexoi, Queen of Iceway. Astonishing that you could have come here without any ceremony. Or invitation.”

“So much diplomacy and back-and-forth, if I were to come with fanfare,” said Anonoei. “We have so much that we can work out between us.”

“I believe,” said Frostinch stiffly, “that any problems are between Prayard and me.”

“History is the huge chain we drag behind us. A thousand years ago, Iceway conquers Gray, seizes half our coastline, moves their ancient capital of Kamesham to an inlet of the sea in what was once our land, and then becomes a mightier seafaring nation than Gray ever was.”

“Don’t forget that they forced the King of Gray to accept his reduction to the rank of jarl.”

“A title that your ancestors have changed into a synonym for king.”

“Not all of history works against us.”

“Ancient hatreds. So your father fed on that ancient hatred and defeated Iceway in turn. Not so decisively that those ancient wrongs could be reduced—especially since the people of what used to be our lands are now so committed to being Icewegian.”

“I was once told,” said Frostinch, “that you were plotting to kill Prayard as soon as your son is born, rule in his name, and conquer Gray again.”

“Do you believe everything you’re told?”

“I was told that you’re a great firemage.”

“So many rumors about a poor Feathergirl.”

“Why are you here?”