Or at all.

“I know I can trust Mars,” I returned.

And I felt I did know that.

There was the fact that he was not happy she insinuated Farah was above me.

However, other than that…

“You can, of course you can,” Tril said, squeezing my hands.

“So Tril, the Miet. And also, anything you can learn of the clans and tribes. Who are allies, who are not. Favorites of Mars. Those of Elpis. Anything. Everything.”

“Right, of course.” She regarded me closely. “But, my love, you can ask Mars these things.”

“It is good to know all, especially servant chatter.”

“Which means you do not intend to ask Mars these things, when it is he who knows them best, also when it is high time you two worked out whatever is coming between the both of you.”

“We will talk, I am certain,” I assured her.

“When?” she asked. “He has not slept in your bed in six days.”

I did not need that reminder either.

“Tril, I have things to do,” I replied.

Her hands held mine fast. “Silence, you have not been yourself these past—”

“Tril!” I snapped. “I have things,” I tore my hands from hers, “to do.”

She took a step back.

I was instantly contrite.

“Tril,” I whispered.

“Yes, you do. You are queen, after all,” she declared before she turned, lifted her skirts and raced up the stairs.

I closed my eyes tight.

A lyrical peel of feminine laughter drifted down the hall from the direction of my husband’s study.

I turned on my sandal and walked down the stairs.

“To my study,” I said to Angelo.

And as I led the way, sadly going in the direction of Mars’s, I thought, really.

Angelo was Elpis’s secretary.

There was no reason not to ask him what I should do.

I was Dellish. I was a new wife. A new queen. I would not magically know what to do when thrown into my role with utterly no guidance whatsoever.

And although I did not fancy becoming dependent on someone who was not close to me or a member of family, as my uncle did with Carrington with disastrous effects, it would have to do.

For now.

When we arrived, I did not look into my husband’s study.

I turned into mine and ordered, “Close the door.”

Angelo obliged.

And then he explained in a roundabout way why he had waited down the hall for me to come to him.

For in whispers, as if the woman had supernatural hearing (or Mars did), he told me about Ines, and indicated in a diplomatic way that I should proceed with her with great caution.

Well, there was one good thing about that.

At least I had learned the staff was willing to educate me.

“And do you remember when…?”

Balls and begorrah.

This woman had the best memory in the history of Triton.

I studied the stem of my wineglass which I was twisting with my fingers to and fro.