The first man gripped Chloe tightly by the upper arm as they marched her out of the women’s quarters, through the corridors and waiting chamber, to the sun king’s throne room.

Guards lined both sides of the rectangular space facing the throne. Behind it, a cool breeze blew in through the open doors leading to the terrace. The two guards stood on either side of her as Chloe glanced up at the man on the throne.

This time, she didn’t prostrate herself, and no one asked her to.

Solon looked terrible.

He had lost more weight, even though only a couple of weeks had passed. His eyes were dark sunken pits and his cheeks were as tight as drums. He started to speak and then burst into a fit of coughing. When he finally finished, he touched a white cloth to his lips, and Chloe saw red.

‘King of kings,’ Chloe said. ‘How are you?’

He placed a hand on his chest and winced, before straightening with an effort as he looked down his sharp nose at her.

‘We took gold,’ he said, ‘but not enough.’ His voice was still clipped and precise, but it was weaker than when they had last spoken. ‘And now I can feel that the end is near. The Seer’s prophecies always come true. This is the year I will die.’

‘If there is anything I can—’

He held up a hand for silence. Chloe stopped. The sun king swallowed with pain and it was some time before he spoke.

‘I need to speak with you about this very subject.’ He nodded to a distant figure, and Chloe saw one of his magi come forward, the man’s yellow robe indicating dedication to the sun god. As she recognized the dark-eyed magus who had questioned her when she first administered to Solon in his bedchamber, he handed Solon a sack, before bowing and withdrawing.

Chloe’s eyes widened with horror as she recognized the sack, but she fought to remain calm. She had made it this far; she had to be strong.

‘One of my magi smelled my tea and told me something that I initially did not believe,’ Solon said. ‘But on my return we searched your chambers and found these.’

He reached into the sack and withdrew a single flower pod, greenish-purple, with a circular crest on top.

‘Tell me, Chloe of Phalesia, follower of Aeris, skilled healer,’ he said, speaking in a low voice that filled Chloe with dread. ‘Are these what the magi say they are? Are these things . . . flowers of bliss?’

Chloe tried to speak with a firm voice. ‘They are a powerful medication for easing pain—’

‘They are banned by law,’ Solon said softly. He drew himself up on the throne, leaning forward, looming over her. His expression shifted from pain, to anger, to vengeful rage. ‘You have had me drinking milk of the poppy!’

‘If it eases your pain—’