‘Amaru.’ Orial could not move. Her feet seemed glued to the floor. ‘I – I didn’t expect –’

And then she flew across the room and into his arms.

Cramoisy insisted on taking them out to dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants in Sulien.

When they had dined and were sitting on the terrace, sipping qaffë and nibbling sugar-dusted almonds, Cramoisy drew out a tissue-wrapped package and placed it in front of Orial.

‘What’s this?’ she said.

‘Open it.’ Cramoisy gave Khassian a sly wink.

Orial untied the gold ribbon and unwrapped the tissue. There lay a necklace and earrings of black and ivory pearls – her mother’s pearls.

She glanced first at Cramoisy and then at Khassian.

‘But how ever did you find them?’

‘I have my methods,’ said Cramoisy archly.

‘You bought them back? You shouldn’t have.’

‘Put them on. I want to see you in them!’

Orial, blushing, did as Cramoisy asked.

He gave her a long, appraising look – and then clapped his hands together.

‘Perfection. Isn’t that so, Amar?’

‘Hm?’

Orial saw Cramoisy nudge Khassian sharply.

‘Yes, yes. They look very becoming.’

After they had brought her back to the Sanatorium, she stood in the hall, still fingering Iridial’s pearls, listening to the phaeton wheels rolling away into the night.

The pearls felt cool and smooth against her skin. What had preoccupied Khassian tonight? Why had his attention wandered? Perhaps he had been bored, longing for the evening to end.

Perhaps he had felt it was a mistake to come back.

‘Someone to see you,’ Cook announced. ‘I’ve put him in the parlour. You won’t be disturbed in there.’

‘Someone?’ Orial came running out after her. ‘Who? Who is it?’

But Cook had retreated into the kitchens.

Orial opened the parlour door – and saw Khassian standing at the window. She felt her breath catch in her throat. Why had he come?

He turned as he heard the door open.

‘Demselle.’

‘So formal, Illustre?’ She came into the parlour and shut the door, gesturing him to a chair.

‘So bemused.’ He sat at the lace-covered table; she sat opposite. ‘When I returned to Bel’Esstar, all that had happened here seemed like… like a dream. I began to wonder if I had imagined it all. And now, I come back and find you still here – and I have to believe it really happened.’

Maybe this was prelude to a proposition… maybe he wanted her to work with him again?

‘… those other lesser miracles that followed in the wake of the Rose.’

‘Other miracles?’ She had not been paying attention to what he was saying, she had been watching his face intently, noting the tawny flecks in his eyes, the pale sickle scar on his left cheek.

‘Cramoisy has found his voice again… and I…’

‘You?’ She could tell from the light in his eyes that he had a secret he was longing to share with her.