“Thank you,” I said through gritted teeth.

As Auma led us out of the throne room, I glanced back. Razel spoke earnestly to Ericen, who still refused to look at her. Then the doors swung shut.

We retraced our steps, and Auma took us down a left-hand passage and up a flight of stairs. I eyed the girl as we went. Something was off about her.

Without Razel around, she walked taller, her shoulders back like a tree straightening after a strong wind, but it wasn’t that. I blinked, realizing she was studying me as much as I was her. She turned away without a flicker of expression.

What life had she led before coming here to serve a foreign queen, and what desperation had driven her into the heart of enemy territory? Employment? A conscripted family member? She didn’t have any tama, the marks Jin earned when they apprenticed themselves to a guild, which meant she’d likely been in Illucia since before her sixteenth birthday. Either way, she’d lost everything, something Kiva and I could relate to. Did the echoes of her past haunt her too?

Auma slowed outside an ornate wooden door where two Rhodairen guards had been posted. They bowed as we approached, and I nodded in return.

“His Highness sent word you would prefer a shared room.” Auma’s voice was quiet but not soft, like the gentle grumble of a jungle cat. She opened the door.

The chambers consisted of four rooms joined together. The entry opened to a sitting space with large, comfortable red couches set before an already roaring fire, which I eyed warily. Massive rugs stretched across portions of the stone ground, and behind one of the couches sat a round dark wood table and chairs. At the back of the room, a door led in each direction.

Another overture of friendship from Ericen. I was thankful he’d thought of it; I didn’t want to be far from Kiva.

Auma followed us inside, then moved to the center door at the back of the room and opened it to reveal a large bathing chamber. Then she pointed to the doors on either side of her in turn. “These lead to the bedrooms. Your things are inside.” Quick. Blunt. She certainly didn’t mince words.

“Thank you,” I said as she retreated.

She paused at the door. “Her Majesty requests your presence for dinner in an hour. I will return to escort you.” She bowed and left. I stared after her, finally realizing what was so strange: her footsteps didn’t make any sound. Where had she learned to walk like that?

“She’s an odd one.” Kiva’s gaze lingered at the doorway. “Cute though.”