“If you are trying to determine the depth of my loyalty, perhaps you should ask me. It would save us both time, given that we have so very little of it.”

“It is not your loyalty to Adrian I wish to assess,” I said. “It is your loyalty to me.”

“You are one and the same.”

His statement did not put me at ease. Rather, disappointment blossomed in my chest. I wished to be Adrian’s equal, but equality did not mean we were the same.

“How wrong you are,” I said. I took a breath and asked, “How are my people?”

“Agitated, uncertain,” he said.

I had expected such news, but hearing it was disheartening.

“The news about the destruction of Vaida spread quickly, and on the heels of your marriage to Adrian, some of your people believe he broke his promise to protect them.”

I glanced at Killian, who had once assumed the same.

“And the Sanctuary of Asha is not helping,” Gavriel added.

My gaze snapped back to him. “The sanctuary?”

“You’ve a priestess there who claims Asha has sent their salvation.”

Despite the strong presence of goddesses within my life, in the lives of everyone in Cordova, I had never been religious. I could not fathom worshipping anyone who had taken my mother from me so young, but I would be stupid if I did not acknowledge either of the goddesses’ power. And true power it was, because it was strong enough to have created Adrian.

“Have you heard this?” I asked Killian, who shrugged, then shook his head.

“A few whispers here and there,” he said. “Nothing more. I certainly have not seen any evidence that it is true.”

“You don’t need evidence when people have faith,” I said. The mere fact that anyone would believe the priestess or trust the veracity of her words was dangerous—especially to my rule.

“How do we know this isn’t some falsehood spread by the priestess?” I asked.

“We don’t,” said Gavriel.

“Find out,” I said.

“As you wish,” he said. “Anything more, my queen?”

“Return to Lara tomorrow,” I said. “Tell the court my father has decided to extend his stay in Revekka.”

I thought about embellishing, adding that King Henri had missed his daughter too much to stay only a week, but I could not manage to speak the words.

“My loyalty is to you, my queen.” Gavriel bowed, accepting my orders, and left.

With Gavriel’s departure, I remained silent for a long moment, considering his words. I’d known returning to Lara would not be easy, given how I had been treated upon my departure, but this certainly complicated my plans.

“With rumors of the salvation of Asha, what of Nadia?” I asked Killian, my voice hushed.

Nadia, my maid, the woman who had helped raise me, was a passionate follower of Asha, and I could not help hearing her voice as Gavriel’s warning played through my mind.