“We can’t just go marching up to the palace gates,” said Tamar. “My spies have made contact with Ministers Nagh and Zihun. We’ll meet them in the Temple of Neyar. My scouts recommended a barn farther afield, but the princess insisted on the temple.”

“The ministers will be skeptical,” Ehri said. “We need the temple to give our words weight.”

Neyar. One of the Six Soldiers, the sacred protectors of Shu Han. Mayu knew this temple. She’d been reminded of it when she’d seen the six-sided hall at the Little Palace. It was built as a hexagon, the six entries guarded by slender garnet columns, the statue of Neyar holding her famous sword, Neshyenyer, beneath a roof open to the sky. This was where Mayu had taken her oath when she’d been inducted into the Tavgharad. And this was where she would break it and betray a queen.

They approached through the eastern entry. The ministers were waiting with guards in tow.

“You vowed to come alone,” said Tamar.

Minister Nagh recoiled. “What is this treachery?” he demanded. “You bring Ravka’s trained attack dog beneath the roof of one of our temples?”

Everyone in the Shu government knew of the kebben who served first the Sun Saint and then a Ravkan king. Tamar’s tattoos, her axes, her short hair, all made her instantly recognizable.

“She is the enemy,” said Minister Zihun, and punctuated the statement by spitting at the floor near Tamar’s boots.

Tamar didn’t react, but her golden eyes narrowed, and Mayu wondered at the arrogance of these politicians. Tamar was not someone she would seek to provoke, and Ehri seemed to agree.

“Friends,” Ehri said sweetly, shyly, “I do not believe you think Tamar Kir-Bataar is a threat. If you did, you would never speak to her thus. Not when you know she is a Heartrender. Not when she wears those silver axes as another woman might wear jewels. She has put her life at risk to save mine. I hope you will hear me out.”

“To save your life?” Zihun sputtered. “What is the meaning of all of this, Princess? The queen was supposed to be attending your wedding this very day. Have we sent her into a trap? You must explain yourself.”

“The trap is of the queen’s own making,” said Tamar.

“You dare—”

Ehri stepped forward. “I will explain. If you will only give me the chance. That is why Tamar escorted me here.”

We’re lost, Mayu thought. Ehri had none of Makhi’s authority, none of her mighty presence.

Minister Nagh sniffed. “And what does the traitor get from this?”

“A chance to see two windbags in a temple,” Tamar muttered.

“What was that?” the minister snapped.

Tamar plastered a smile over her face. “I said, a chance to see peace thrive.”

“Please,” said Ehri. “As a Taban princess, I ask you to hear me.”