No matter how many times he saw his cousin, he never got over how big she was. Raw physical power radiated from every inch of her. She wore a sleeveless robe to show off the muscles in her arms, with the silk bound tight around her waist. It made her trunk seem thicker, not thinner, which was no doubt her intention. The servants painting her nails seemed like children next to her.

‘Welcome, little cousin,’ she said.

‘Thank you. I was hoping we might speak before the festivities.’

She dismissed the servants with a flick of her eyes. When they had gone, she moved to the window, gesturing for him to join her. ‘When will you do it?’

‘Tomorrow,’ said Vasin. ‘After the Tanzanite have declared their intentions. After he has refused them.’

She grunted. ‘That works.’

‘Do you think Yadavendra will go quietly?’

‘Ha! That is the one thing he will not do. He might fight, he might scream, but it will be loud, count on that. It is well past time though, even House Jet have taken notice.’

‘What happened?’

‘I got an anonymous message from one of their Deathless. It just said: “Deal with him or we will.”’ She laughed. ‘I’ve always liked House Jet, they’re slow to start, but when they do, they don’t mess about.’

‘When was this?’

‘About six months ago. Any chance my father had of making amends is long gone.’

‘Will you wear your armour tomorrow?’

She shook her head. ‘No. Will you?’

‘I’ve thought about it. I don’t like the idea of your father being ascended, armed, and angry, and us without protection …’

‘We can take him, armour or not. You keep him focused on you, and I’ll deal with his glaive. The rest will fall as it does. And then,’ she put a hand on his shoulder, ‘you will declare me the new High Lord.’ Her hand squeezed. ‘Or I will expose your dirty secret to the rest of the house.’

He gritted his teeth. ‘You don’t think it would make you look bad too?’

‘No.’

‘Well, you’ve known and said nothing for all these years. If you admit that, you admit your part in hiding the betrayal.’

‘What?’ The pressure eased slightly as she thought this through.

‘Yes,’ he said, trying to remember the phrase Lady Pari had used. I’m sure it sounded better when she said it. ‘They won’t accept a High Lord who has broken the rules. If you take me down that way, you go down too.’