“No, with Maris. And there’s concern they may have the magery, as Beclan does.”

“And so they’re less likely to marry,” Kieri said. “Could you tell?”

“No. I’m not sure I could, anyway; it’s not our kind of magery. I could tell they were spirited and bored and touchy. I invited them to share the picnic with us—everyone else was ignoring them.”

“Good for you,” Kieri said. “I met them, of course, when I visited the house once or twice, but they were just children to me. They made their courtesy and went away while Sonder and I talked.”

“What about Celbrin? His wife?”

Kieri chuckled and kissed her hand again. “Not my kind of woman. Very sure she knew exactly how everyone should dress, eat, stand, sit … impressive at court and very influential with the other ladies. Well, any wife in that family would be, but Celbrin was fond of the deference she got. Gracious with steel underneath. And yet I could not imagine her with a sword.”

“What I heard was that she was elegant, regal, and always knew what to do.”

“You heard that from—?”

“Several counts’ wives. Not Lady Marrakai or Lady Serrostin.”

Kieri chuckled. “No—they were never close friends, as I recall. Still, I’m sure it’s hard on her being separated from her home, her daughters, and her chance to impress the wives of lesser peers.”

Arian spent the rest of the morning wandering around the palace, simply happy to be home again. It seemed inconceivable now that she had been afraid she would not make a good queen, that she would find the duties too difficult. Glad as she was to be away from Tsaia’s court, the trip had given her much more confidence. Queens and kings, she understood now, were merely guardians of the taig and the people … and she had trained as a guardian of the taig most of her life.

Amrothlin sought her out later in the day. “My lady,” he said, the inflection making it clear she was not the Lady of his heart.

“Amrothlin … how are you?”

His eyes darkened. “Sun and stars both fade without the Lady.”

“Is it so for all of you, or only for you, her son?”

“It is so for the whole world, if you could but see.” He sounded angry but then shook his head. “I am sorry, Arian. You did not kill her.”

Arian thought of asking him more about Kieri’s mother and sister but did not feel like sitting through a long recital on this bright day. “I wish you more happiness than you now have,” she said instead. “And I thank you for the loyalty you show Kieri in such a difficult time. Tell me, have you ever visited Tsaia?”

“Yes,” he said. “At one time we sent elves there regularly … to … to watch.”

“To watch Kieri? You knew then, did you not?”