The bottle was shared once more, along with a smile, wicked in Pari’s case, slight in Nidra’s.

‘Well,’ said Pari, ‘I’m afraid to say that not much has happened in my absence. House Tanzanite are sending my brother, Arkav, to investigate House Sapphire. They say it is to bring Yadavendra in for trial, but I think it is to provoke him into killing Arkav. If Tanzanite blood is spilt, then the other houses will be forced to act.’

‘Good.’

‘No, not good. If Arkav fails in his mission, the High Lord will not sanction his rebirth. I imagine she’ll blame it on Yadavendra, but the result will be the same. And she’s made it abundantly clear that my fate is tied to my brother’s.’

Nidra offered the bottle again. ‘There isn’t much I can do from here. You must help Vasin move against Yadavendra, that way we’ll all live to see another lifecycle.’

‘May they be many and glorious,’ replied Pari, accepting the bottle and drinking from it. ‘How is your son doing?’

‘Too slowly, I’m still here.’

‘No progress at all?’

‘Oh, he’s doing a fine job at ingratiating himself with others, I don’t doubt that most of the houses would be delighted if he took over, but few of them will stand with him until it’s clear he’ll win. And he can’t move until Lord Rochant’s rebirth fails. But for some reason it keeps being put off.’

‘Odd. I’d have thought Yadavendra would be desperate to have Rochant back.’

‘He is, but he’s also terrified of the rebirth failing and so he’s taking pains to make sure Satyendra is the perfect vessel before authorizing the ceremony.’

Pari smirked. ‘If he only knew.’

‘It’s not funny,’ Nidra snapped. ‘His caution could undo our plans. Time is no longer on our side.’

‘Is something wrong with your body?’

‘Not mine. Rochant’s.’ Nidra’s gaze went to the door of the room where the man they once both loved was kept. There was little love in her eyes now.

‘Please tell me you haven’t been overzealous in your care.’

‘I’ve barely touched him since …’ The slight pause spoke volumes. ‘Since you were last here. Vasin saw to that. Once we’d found out the nature of Rochant’s deal with the Corpseman, I let him be. Not because he deserved mercy, but because Vasin needed me to stop. My son is still young in his soul. He doesn’t understand like we do.’

Pari decided this wasn’t the time to question what it was she was supposed to understand. ‘What did you learn?’

‘What we expected. Rochant sold out to the Scuttling Corpseman, gaining Yadavendra the position of High Lord, and himself elevation to the ranks of the Sapphire Deathless. In return, he gave the Corpseman the old High Lord, Samarku, and the people of Sorn.’