“And why not?” I ask, shocked at the person who sits before me. She only shrugs, and I look at Thorne, suddenly lost for what to do. He squeezes my hand, encouraging me to trust in my own instincts. “You will clean yourself up before speaking to your Queen,” I command with the aether-voice. Nemesia stiffens, clearly trying to fight the compulsion, but eventually stands up and walks toward the bathing chamber, eyes burning with fury and hatred. For once, I don’t feel guilty using the aether-voice in this way. Something tells me Nemesia may not have washed up without it.

I seat myself by the fire while I wait for her. Thorne finds a beverage cart and makes me a cup of steaming tea. I smile when he hands it to me, grateful for this silly and small thing he always insists on. Rather than sitting beside me, he takes up a place against the wall behind me, leaning against it with his arms crossed. If I wasn’t already completely enamored with him, I would be after this. As always, he’s so beautiful it nearly takes my breath away, and the way he can pull off disinterest impresses even me. I sense that a subtle but strong shield of light surrounds me where I sit on the couch, invisible to all but myself. Just like me, he can perform incredible feats of magic with no sign of it in his expression.

When Nemesia returns from the bathing chamber, clean and in fresh clothes, she looks closer to the female I know, though her eyes are still haunted, and her frame is too thin. She collapses into a chair, and I study her for another moment before speaking. Something’s changed in the weeks she was in the cells. She was angry with me when I visited before, pleading that I had made a mistake. Now, it seems indifference has settled over her. That bolt of guilt shoots another strike through my body.

She notices me staring at her, and says, voice a sarcastic sneer, “Happy, Your Majesty? Am I clean enough to be in your presence now?” I ignore the barb.

“You told Admon you discovered something you would only share with me. I’m here now. What is it you wanted me to know?” Nemesia’s eyes quickly dart to Thorne, uneasiness crossing them. “A lot has happened while you’ve been away. Thorne and I are… allies.” I opt to save the more unbelievable information for another time, still not sure I can trust her. “I trust him with any information you have to share.” She hesitates, staring between the two of us, scrutinizing us with those empty and hollow eyes.