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asked as they started moving again. The city was more crowded and bustling than Clio had ever seen before. Everywhere she turned, Sheehan and Untouched alike walked through the markets trailing goats and wagons full of the season’s harvest for barter.
    “You look lovely, as always,” Ashira said after hesitating a heartbeat too long.
    Clio cast her a glance. “I don’t care about lovely. How upset is Riece going to be when he sees me?”
    “Riece is always upset about something.” Ashira shuffled, uncomfortable.
    “Ashira…” Clio began and stumbled on a bump in the road.
    Her Vessel caught her and brought her back to her feet. “Let’s just say, I’ll be sure to keep Ixie between Riece and myself during this visit,” Ashira said seriously.
    Clio laughed. “Maybe you both should wait outside.”
    Ashira’s lips pulled up into a half-smile. “I wouldn’t object.”
    “Smart girl.”
    Clio patted Ashira’s arm when they reached the palace gates. Ixie stood outside, speaking with a group of palace guards.
    “Stay here,” Clio told the girl.
    “Whatever you say, sir,” Ixie replied with more distance in her gaze than Clio was prepared for. But there wasn’t time to stop and muddle through the snares of Ixie’s opinion as Clio walked forward and entered the throne room.
    For the first time since before the wars with Morek, the throne room was glittering and resplendent with gold and gems. Walls that had been stripped bare to pay for weapons were once more filled with a myriad of rubies. Clio noticed Sheehan nobles standing beside Untouched who wore their own rich silk and golden jewelry. It would have been impossible to tell them apart except for the hand gestures the Untouched used to communicate. An Untouched man finished an elaborate dance of fingers and stepped back, smiling at a Sheehan noblewoman who surprised Clio by laughing and reaching out to take the Untouched’s arm. They understood one another.
    “Clio!” She heard Derik call from the front of the room as he pushed through the sea of nobles to reach her.
    Clio bowed, suddenly wishing she had taken the time to wash off more of the dirt from her night spent outside. She pulled her golden warrior’s cloak tighter around her shoulders.
    “What are you doing here?” Derik asked. “Not that I’m not pleased to see you, of course.” He took her hand and grinned down at her. He was wearing his father’s elaborate gold breastplate, but all Clio could see was the scarred mark under his eye. He’d taken a knife to it, slashing it down the middle when he renounced Daizon, but it didn’t erase the permanent reminder of what they’d all gone through. Clio had a matching burn on her chest, and she never could stomach looking at it, let alone permitting others to see it. But if Derik was the least part ashamed, he didn’t show it. Every bit of him, from his dark curls and gray eyes, to his warm smile and commanding stride, bespoke regal power.
    “Did Zarae not tell you I was coming?” Clio squeezed his hand with affection.
    “Not me. I think she’s with the commander at the moment.” He gestured toward a crowded corner of the room.
    “Of course she is,” Clio grumbled under her breath.
    The barest hint of an amused smile curled Derik’s lips. “Would you like me to escort you to them?”
    Clio looked around at the room. Nobles were watching her out of the corners of their eyes. She was no longer the king’s mistress, and as such, it was no longer appropriate for her to approach men and women of such elevated status as the commander and the princess. Already, women were exchanging whispers, their gazes darting between Clio and the king.
    “I suppose so. Might as well get this over with,” she said with a sigh, allowing him to lead her through the throng of nobles.
    Zarae had removed her cloak, and she stood wearing one of her characteristically revealing silk skirts. Clio’s eyes quickly skipped from the princess to the man standing