“I don’t serve Annur. I serve the goddess.”

“You may find that more difficult,” Adiv said pointedly, “if the Urghul take over. The only prayer will be a prayer of blood.”

“You understand,” Adare hissed, “that I know the truth. All of it. I came here to destroy the regent.”

Adiv grimaced. “A fact the Ministry of Truth has labored late into the night to obscure. Now, of all times, Annur needs unity, in appearance as well as fact.”

Adare stared. “How do you obscure an army of thousands marching up the canal road?”

She gestured over her shoulder to where the Sons of Flame waited, butts of their spears bedded in the earth, the shafts a forest of stark trees, denuded in the summer heat, as though struck by some awful blight. Sun flashed from the bronze of shields and breastplates, bright enough to blind.

Adiv followed her gaze, as though, despite his blindness, he could sense the weight of that army, the sheer mass of flesh and sharpened steel. “We told the citizens of Annur,” he said quietly, “that you were coming to help. That you went to Olon to reconcile the throne with the Church of Intarra. Which it seems you have.” He paused, then beggared his hands, imploring. “Annur needs you, my lady.”

“We’re all well fuckin’ aware of that,” Nira spat, kicking her horse forward. “Seems ta me, the question is whether it needs you.”

Adiv turned to face the old woman, brows rising behind his blindfold. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. . . .”

Nira snorted. “Save it. The princess isn’t goin’ ta the palace.”

Fulton nodded. “I agree.”

“I can offer myself as surety,” Adiv said. “My life hostage against her safety.”

“The life a’ one overdressed blind bastard against a princess?” Nira said. “Against a prophet? I don’t think so.”

“Nira . . .” Adare said, putting up a hand.

“You made me councillor,” she snapped, “so I’m counselin’.”

“I’m going,” Adare said.

“My lady,” Fulton burst out.

Adare cut him off. “If the Mizran Councillor wanted me dead, he would hardly be offering himself as surety. I don’t understand what’s happening here, but if there is an opportunity to avoid open war in the streets of Annur, I will not be the one to turn it down. This is my city, these are my people.” She looked up, past Adiv, past the jumbled riot of houses and stables, to the great ironglass needle bisecting the sky, its impossible height bright with the sun’s own light. “It is my palace. My empire.”