Her train of thought was interrupted by her brother, who had stepped forward to stand next to her. He was holding out his hand. ‘It’s been too long.’

Rochant took Arkav’s hand and kissed it, and they stared at each other. There was something in the air between them, something she now realized had not been present a moment ago, when it was her turn. Does Arkav have a complicated history with Rochant too? Impossible! I’d have known about it. One of them would have told me. But looking at the two of them gazing into each other’s eyes, she felt a stab of doubt.

To break the spell and nip the sudden growth of uncomfortable feelings in the bud, Pari spoke: ‘It is so good to see you back, my dear, and in such rude health. House Sapphire has been in a terrible mess since you were gone.’

With what seemed like genuine reluctance, he released Arkav’s hand. ‘Things will be better now.’

‘Regardless,’ said Arkav, ‘we still have to discharge our duty. High Lord Sapphire must come with us.’

‘Is that why you’re here? You hope to turn me against my High Lord?’

Pari ran her finger along one of the paintings as she replied, something Rochant normally couldn’t abide, as it left a stain on the glass. ‘Nothing so dramatic. We merely wished to see our dear friend once more. Tomorrow will be unpleasant, that doesn’t mean tonight has to be. This isn’t personal.’

‘If you say so,’ replied Rochant.

Nothing! Not a flicker. He didn’t even care about the painting. She decided to test him further, letting her finger come to a rest under the subject’s chin. A weathered-looking woman in her last years, with pale road-born features. It was an ugly painting, but one she remembered Rochant was particularly fond of. ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘I haven’t seen this one before. Are people sending gifts already?’

‘Yes, you’re not the first to surprise me today.’

It was strange. There was no sense of the lie in his features. He spoke with all of Rochant’s calm, but she had him now. This was what the Bringers wanted me to see. This proves that the note spoke true, and that the author is privy to my affair with Rochant, but knows nothing of my break from him.

‘Well,’ she said, ‘tomorrow is fast approaching, and promises to be both long and tiring. We must get what rest we can. Good night.’

They returned to Arkav’s room in silence, neither speaking until the servants were dismissed again. ‘That was interesting,’ said Pari.

‘Yes.’

‘It isn’t him.’

‘No.’