But he was starting to think this might be good news after all. If Lord Rochant were still in the Wild, there was a chance they could catch him before he returned. There was a chance Vasin’s crimes against the house would stay secret! Moreover, Yadavendra was without support. There is an opportunity here. One that my mother or Pari would not pass up.

Satyendra’s tears had started to dribble down his fingers. He released his grip and stepped back. ‘Do you know what they would do to you if they found out?’

‘I can guess. Are you going to tell them?’

‘That depends on you.’

Satyendra fell to his knees at Vasin’s feet. ‘I am your servant! I’ll do anything. Anything you wish, but don’t tell them. I beg you!’

‘Mark this moment, Satyendra. It is the one where your life became mine. Believe me when I tell you I know how unpleasant that is, so I make you this promise: Serve in the interests of the house, do not betray me, and I will keep your secret, at least until this mess can be fixed.’

‘Thank you, oh thank you.’

‘Swear it.’

He rubbed the snot and tears from his face, controlling himself so quickly that Vasin wondered how much of it had been an act. ‘I, Satyendra, child of Chandni and Mohit, Honoured Vessel of Lord Rochant of House Sapphire, swear to obey you in all things.’

‘Good. And if the oath isn’t enough for you, remember the pain you’ve just experienced, and know it is only the barest hint of what you will suffer if you fail me.’

‘Yes, my lord.’

‘Less of that. It’s time to stand up and pretend to be a Deathless. Now tell me, and tell me honestly, do you like High Lord Yadavendra?’

He looked at Vasin then, his eyes calculating, hard. ‘No. I despise him.’

‘Then this day may not turn out so badly for you after all.’

He did not warm to Satyendra, much less trust him. But given the timing, he was too good a tool not to employ. Vasin knew he would have to be careful if he was to survive the day, and he would have to be brilliant if he was to find victory amid the many chances for failure. And more than that, he knew he was going to have to be cruel. For what did Satyendra’s happiness matter when held against the lives of everyone in House Ruby? Or those of all the houses? For that matter, what did his own?

‘We do not have much time before the Sapphire gather. Are you ready?’

‘I am.’

‘Then listen very carefully to what I’m about to tell you.’