“The Virtues consider themselves men of exemplary character,” he continued, “the Order of Chamuel in particular, as they are arbitrators of the Almighty’s own justice.” He glanced at her, a wry smile framing his mouth. “They lie to themselves, as all righteous men do, but they will grant your sister a fair trial. Or, at least, what they see as fair. Else they fear themselves at risk of heavenly judgment.”

“A trial? Not just an execution?” That was the first good news she’d heard. “With argument? And legal counsel?”

“She will have an advocate, yes, but it’s not like you imagine it. Only heavenly law rules within the Circle, not the law of man. There is no arguing of the facts, only an examination into the accused’s… spiritual fitness.”

“She’s Fallen.” She was stating the obvious, but so was he. “They will consider her spiritually unfit by definition.”

“And yet you think her innocent.”

“I know she is innocent.”

His smile stretched. “The Virtues are sanctimonious, but they make a fine point. If she is Fallen, she is sinful by fault. There is no innocence in her making.”

She had begun to relax, the old familiarity of their relationship coming back. This was a man she knew well. His familiar stride beside her, the cadence of his speech, even the way he loved theological debate. It was the side of him that those who only knew him as a demon lord did not see. It was the part of him that had felt all her own.

“Have I ever told you about the baby bird?” she asked.

He tilted his head, listening. An invitation to continue.

“It must have been late summer, and I was probably nine, and Mariel five.”

“A child Celeste,” he murmured, amused. “You must have been a fierce thing.”

“Not at all,” she admitted. “I was as timid as a sparrow. Mariel was the brave one. We still lived in the Drench back then, and a family of birds had built their nest in the eaves around the back of the house. Mariel wanted to see the babies, but I told her to leave them alone. I knew the mama could reject them if she smelled our touch on them. But Mariel didn’t listen, curious as she was, and not five minutes later, she come up to me, all proud, and showed me that baby bird sitting in her hand.”

“Alive?”