Raisa touched Magret’s arm. “I am aware of Catarina’s shortcomings as a chambermaid. She will never be a stellar servant—that’s not what I’m looking for—but she can be improved. I’m asking you to trust me on this and do the best you can. Will you do it?”

Magret gazed at Raisa for a long moment, then nodded grudgingly. She opened her mouth to say something else, when someone tapped at the door.

“Excuse me, ma’am.” Magret went to the door.

It was Amon. Raisa could see his tall frame in the doorway beyond Magret’s broad back.

Amon had asked for an audience with her. Several times. And Raisa had put him off. Her instincts told her that any formal audience with Amon wouldn’t bring good news.

She resisted the urge to flee into her inner chamber and claim a headache, but he’d already seen her.

Magret turned toward Raisa, a question on her face. Raisa nodded wearily. “Come on in, Amon,” she said.

He entered, and Raisa saw that he wore his dress blues, the Lady sword at his side.

She gestured to a chair by the windowed wall. “Please. Sit down,” she said, and sat as well. “Would you like anything? Some cider? Something to eat?”

“No, thank you, Your Highness.” Amon shook his head, then eased himself down, perching on the edge of the chair, his hands on his knees. “I won’t stay long.”

“I’m sorry I’ve put you off,” Raisa said, fluttering her hand. “It’s been relentless, and I knew I would see you at the reception tonight.”

“I understand, Your Highness,” Amon said, in his Formal Amon voice. “I know we see each other almost every day, but I felt I should schedule an appointment. For this.” He glanced at Magret, then looked down at his hands, where the wolf ring gleamed on his right hand.

A cold lump of dread formed in Raisa’s middle. She knew what this would be about.

“Magret,” she said, not taking her eyes off Amon’s face, “please leave us.”

She thought Magret might object, but she bowed her head and backed from the room. Magret made no secret of the fact that she thoroughly approved of and trusted Amon Byrne.

“So,” Raisa said, when the door had closed behind Magret, “what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”

“As you know, Annamaya Dubai has come home,” Amon said. “She’s staying in the dormitory at the Cathedral School temporarily, since her father is stationed on the border of Arden.”

“I know,” Raisa said. “I’ve seen her at court. How nice she came home for the summer. Though I would have thought she might stay on at school.”

“She is hoping to find a position here at home,” Amon said. He cleared his throat. “If she could earn a little money, it would help next year at school.”