“As I said, I’m very clever. You can’t possibly understand it, so don’t try. It’s bad for the digestion, and you must eat to keep up your strength.” She turned to the servant. “Phania, get up and serve my guests.”

Phania? Klia caught the servant’s eye, and she gave Klia a barely perceptible nod. This was the lieutenant Captain Sedge had seen pulled into darkness, though it was hard to imagine that this starved wreck had ever been a soldier.

One by one, Phania lifted the lids of the dishes on the table, serving Klia and the others a variety of roasted vegetables and meats. Among the latter were tiny stuffed songbirds. They had been a favorite of Klia’s since childhood, but she doubted she’d ever be able to stomach them again.

“That will do,” Rhazat said to Phania. “Back to your kitchen.”

With a last despairing look at Klia—or perhaps the food—Phania left the room.

“Is she possessed, too?”

“No, she’s just as you see her.”

“Then why keep her alive if you’re only going to starve her to death?”

“Because it amuses me,” Rhazat replied. “And I assure you, she has all she wants to eat. But time does take its toll here in my realm. Just look at poor Phania. I doubt she’ll last much longer. That’s why it’s so very important that you eat. If you don’t, you’ll waste away to nothing in no time, and your dear little girl with you.”

“How quickly you’ve found a weapon to use against me!” Klia spat.

“On the contrary, I’m trying to protect you both.”

“By killing my escort, and throwing me from my horse?”

“Who says your escort is dead? As for that handsome horse of yours, he was not meant to die, but to carry you to me. The poor creature must have had some defect. Don’t worry, though. He’ll serve me well here. Now do eat, for your daughter’s sake. And don’t worry about poison. You and she are worth far more to me alive than dead.”

The emphasis sent another nasty shiver up Klia’s spine. She took a tentative mouthful of pork, chewed carefully, trying to detect any off flavor, then swallowed and waited for ill effects. None came on, so she picked away at the meal before her.

“How like her you are,” Rhazat mused, toying with her empty wine cup. “So proud.”

“Like who?”

But Rhazat just gave a dismissive wave. “Oh, just someone I knew a long time ago. Wine?”

Klia shook her head but finished her portion, uncomfortably aware of the others watching her. When she was done she sat back and nodded to her hostess. “That was delicious, Your Majesty. So, what do you have planned for me next?”