‘The magi say that the pain is my soul gradually slipping through the jagged gates of Ar-Rayan to the next world.’

Once again she chose her words carefully. ‘Your magi are correct,’ she said. ‘But there are potions I can give you to ease your passage.’

‘Lord—’ one of the courtiers protested.

Solon held up a hand. ‘How can I trust you?’ he asked Chloe.

‘You hold my life in your hands. Your power threatens my homeland.’

His brow furrowed. ‘I will seek the guidance of the sun god.’

Chloe clasped her palms together and gave a small bow.

Solon glanced to his left, looking out the open windows at a clouded sky. ‘I must pray now. Leave me. All of you.’

The tall eunuch – Chloe had yet to learn his name – fetched her from the women’s quarters just a few hours later.

‘Dress for the city,’ he said. He nodded toward the clothing chest. ‘Cover yourself in a shawl.’

Throwing the thick material over her shoulders, she followed him to the curtained entrance to the women’s quarters, where he handed her over to two palace guards. Soon she was heading to the palace’s main entrance. Chloe tried to memorize the layout and locations of the guards as she followed her escort, in case she needed to come this way when she made her escape.

Passing through the main gate and heading out into the city, she wondered where the guards were taking her as they traveled with purpose through the narrow alleys and winding streets, passing through wealthy residential districts and following the steps down to the lower city.

She had come through the bazaar when she first arrived, but she now saw that she was heading in the opposite direction. Houses gave way to workshops and then to strangely deserted streets. Then, as they passed through a gate, Chloe saw that they were now in a district of temples.

Priests in yellow robes walked past with stately steps, never the type to hurry, something that was much the same in Lamara as it was in Phalesia. Columned entrances led into the dark interiors of temple after temple. They followed a broad boulevard until she saw a group assembled at the very end, where the ground dropped away in a cliff.

She saw Solon standing beside a priest in ornate white and yellow robes. A dozen soldiers stood a respectful distance away. He was gazing down from the cliff at the land below.

As she drew up to him and saw the object of his attention, Chloe’s eyes widened.