“They think I murdered Thaddace,” I protested. “They all do—the court, the rulers. Everyone. How can they love an empress who kills in cold blood?”

Dimples appeared beneath Ai Ling’s keen dark eyes. “At court,” she said, “being known as a killer isn’t always a bad thing.”

I made a face. “I . . . almost don’t want you to explain that.”

“The only difference between a murderer and a hero is who tells the story.” Ai Ling cleared her throat, then lifted her hands as if addressing a throne room, her voice cool and imperious. “Thaddace’s death,” she said, “removes any remaining suspicion that our Empress Redemptor was in league with The Lady. On the contrary: Empress Tarisai is our empire’s savior. She prevented a dangerous convict, an imperial traitor, from escaping the palace. She is so dedicated to justice, so loyal to Olugbade’s memory . . . she would kill her own mentor in cold blood. Such courage.” Ai Ling let a delicate sob shake her voice. “Such majesty!”

I lurched away and vomited into a nearby potted palm tree.

Ai Ling swore, bustling over to rub my back. “Am’s Story, Tari darling. I should have thought. I didn’t mean to . . .” She winced, the confidence draining from her voice. “You’d think a speaking Hallow would prevent me from being an ass.”

“You’re not an ass,” I mewled. “You’re right. You’re always right, and I’m already failing at being empress.”

Thérèse unhooked a vial from her belt and tipped its contents down my throat. Astringent peppermint stung my nostrils, but the nausea abated. My skin prickled as Sanjeet scanned me anxiously with his Hallow, searching my body for illness. He would find nothing but cowardice, thrumming through every vein.

“The only thing you’ve failed to do,” he said quietly, “is let us help you. We’re your family, sunshine girl. Tell us what you need.”

“Come with me,” I squeaked. “To the banquet. All of you.”

Ai Ling tensed. “You know that isn’t a good idea,” she said gently. “Fewer companions are better optics. It sends the message that you’re there to make new friends, not hide behind old ones. But Dayo’s going, so you won’t be alone. So will Kirah and I, since we’re handling peace negotiations with Songland.”

The phrase making friends sounded much too casual for tonight’s endeavors. The abiku had accepted my sacrifice on one condition: that I become a full-fledged Raybearer, anointing the vassal rulers of every Arit realm to create my own council of eleven. If I failed at anointing the rulers, then the abiku would deem my body too cheap a sacrifice. Aritsar would never know peace again.

I asked, “How can those rulers love me if they think I just murdered someone?”

“Oh, Tar. Love is delightfully complicated.” Ai Ling placed my hand on her brow, offering me her memories. The sour faces of several foreign monarchs flashed through my mind. “Ever since the Treaty ceremony, the vassal rulers have been staying at guest villas, here in Oluwan. So I thought I’d pay them a visit,” she explained. “Sniff out how they felt about you. Turns out, you made a good impression on the empire when you repealed that Unity Edict. But you also branded yourself as impulsive. Overearnest. A little naïve. In other words, none of the vassal rulers took you seriously. You were a mere child to them, until . . .”