Nasaka let out her breath. She stood alone in the field. Her grip on her sword eased. She let herself fall to one knee in the poppies. Her heart was pounding fast. The surge of adrenaline was nearly overwhelming. She had wanted to cut across the gate and sever Kirana in two. But the war was coming. Oma was rising. And the Dhai in this world were not prepared for it.

The outcome was clear to her from the first moment the other Kirana dragged her through to witness a death that even now, Nasaka could not bear to think about. This Kirana would win. It would be a rout. The army that flooded Saiduan now was just a taste of what they were about to experience. Kirana had already destroyed her own world. Now she was coming for theirs.

Nasaka waited until her pulse slowed, and then rose. The hourglass of the suns had tipped behind the mountains. The world went turquoise, then violet. Nasaka followed the hunting trail back through the field of poppies, down into the snowy foothills, back to the Temple of Oma and the son who despised her, though she was the only thing standing between him and death.

She was no fool, of course. She knew Kirana would come for them soon enough. But Nasaka had other plans. Plans she needed far more time to put into motion.

When Nasaka reached the temple, it was full dark, her way lit only by the moons. She pushed open the sally port and mounted the long tongue of the grand staircase.

Una, the gatekeeper, met her on the stair.

“He was in the basements a long time before they called him to Liona,” Una said. “He wouldn’t tell me what he was up to, but he had some kind of maps.”

“Did he find Meyna? She’s still secure in the gaol?”

“She is,” Una said. “Don’t worry about that. What was he looking for down there, Ora Nasaka?”

“I don’t know,” Nasaka said. “But I intend to find out.”

Glossary

GLOSSARY

Aaldia

Country on the southwestern shore of Grania, led by a conclave of three queens and two kings.

Abas Morasorn

A Saiduan dancer at Kuonrada.

Abuytu

The name of a month of the year, in early (low) spring.

Ahkio Javia Garika

Teacher in Clan Osono. Son of Javia Mia Sorai and Rishin Garin Badu. Brother to Kirana Javia Garika, the leader of the Dhai people.

Ahmur

The largest of Raisa’s three moons.

Alaar Masoth Taar

The Patron of Saiduan. A tirajista.

Alais Sohra Garika

Birth mother to Yisaoh Alais Garika. Married to Garika clan master Tir, Moarsa, and Gaila.

Alasu Carahin Sorila

A member of the Kuallina militia.

Albaaric

A city on the Saiduan coast. Former home of Maralah Daonia’s family.

Almeysia Maisia Sorila

An Ora and the Mistress of Novices at the Temple of Oma. A very sensitive tirajista.

Alorjan