I nodded and reminded myself I needed to find the spear, discover who had Brother Qown’s gaesh (and for that matter, Brother Qown), and escape.

The sooner the better.

I had yet to gain a real sense of what the palace looked like from the outside. The walls had all been made from the same windowless black stone. It seemed like an endless and twisting maze, lit by mage-light lamps. The air seemed fresh, though, I assumed because of magic. Indeed, it wouldn’t have surprised me to learn a team of servants patrolled the halls, painting damn air sigils under every chair and behind every painting.

The single guarded entrance to the wives’ quarters led to a massive hall. One wall derived from the same transparent crystal I had seen in the main dining room. Several balconies interrupted its near-invisible expanse, jutting out into teal skies. Reflecting pools and blooming flowers lined the hall. The room looked like the personification of winter made fluffy and comfortable. Pillows and furs and all the silks anyone might desire had been tossed about.

Even though cold never bothered me, I still felt the chill. The wives didn’t seem to notice.

Their ages ranged from a little older than I to the same age as Ninavis, but no one older. They were all Yoran, pale-skinned and ice-colored, not necessarily attractive.

“No males?” I whispered to Senera.

She gave me an odd look that I couldn’t quite interpret, then shook her head. “No, no men allowed. The guards outside are the closest any man besides Duke Kaen ever gets, and even they aren’t allowed inside when the duke is in attendance. Duke Kaen insists he should be his wives’ only pleasure.”

I had to stop myself from choking. “Um, but … uh…”

Senera stopped fighting her smile. “Yes?”

“Has no one told Kaen we don’t need males for that?”

Her eyes turned bright. “Don’t spoil their fun. There’s more than a few long-term romances tolerated here, but only because their husband doesn’t seem to realize it’s a possibility.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of saying anything.”

A woman noticed us and drifted over. “Bringing us the Khorveshan girl?” She pursed her lips. “You don’t look Khorveshan.”

“Thank you,” I said and meant it. “I don’t feel Khorveshan.”

“Bikeinoh, this is Janel.” Senera nudged me forward. “I’d appreciate it if you could keep an eye on her while I’m gone.”

The woman raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips. “Of course. We don’t have anything better to do, do we?” The bite in her words hinted at previous unpleasantness.

“Just do it. And get her something to wear. Wyrga broke into her room this morning, so I didn’t dare leave her there.”

I would bet metal the sign the woman made warded against evil spirits.

Senera turned to me. “I’ll be back in a few days.”