Page 28 of Esperance

Her lips pursed. “So am I.” She finally met Amryn’s gaze, and the sheen of tears in her eyes was unmistakable. “She won’t survive the year. I won’t be with her in her final days. I won’t even know when she dies, because we can’t receive messages. I won’t attend her funeral.” Her chest lifted sharply as she sucked in a breath and blinked quickly. “Apologies.”

“You don’t need to apologize.” Amryn’s heart ached for her. “I’m truly sorry.”

“Why should you be sorry? You’re not the one who banished me here. My father . . .” Resentment spiked. She looked away and dropped her spoon on the tray with a dull clatter. Amryn could feel the girl’s emotions being clamped down and wrestled into submission. When she looked at Amryn again, there was only a low throb of fury and grief now. “What’s done is done. I suppose nothing else matters but serving the empire.”

Amryn had no idea how to respond, so it was just as well that Marriset, the jealous woman from breakfast, appeared at Amryn’s other side.

“What are we gossiping about over here?” she asked, eagerness sparking. Her emotions were edged with jealousy and envy, which dulled her physical beauty somewhat—though she was undeniably beautiful. She had olive skin, chestnut brown hair, and perfectly sculpted features. She stood with confidence, and she carried herself with a superior air that Amryn instantly disliked.

Marriset viewed her with a small smile, and Amryn didn’t need to be an empath to feel the barb in her expression. “It’s Amryn, isn’t it?” she asked, not waiting for a response to her first question.

“Yes,” Amryn said.

Marriset gave a little nod and lifted a small plate and placed two finger sandwiches on it, along with some figs. She popped one into her mouth and chewed. “Does anyone else’s skin crawl whenever those clerics talk, or is it just me? I swear by the Divinities, they’re going to drive me insane. They act so superior, but they’re the ones with shaved heads, dull brown robes, and no individuality.” She shook her head. “I’m certain they made the tour as confusing as possible, just so we’d all feel lost. They kept winding around a hundred different corridors!” She lifted one of her sandwiches and took a nibbling bite, which she quickly swallowed. “And why did the high cleric demand such an early breakfast? Honestly, I would have preferred a full day in my room to recover after yesterday. Or even just from last night.” She looked to Amryn and Tam. “How were your nights?”

“Fine,” Amryn and Tam said together.

“Oh?” Marriset lifted a sculpted eyebrow. “Onlyfine? I’m sorry for you.”

No she wasn’t. She was positively giddy with gloating.

Marriset ran her fingers through her long brown hair. “I’ll say this about Darrin. He may have a disappointing title, but he certainly didn’t disappoint behind closed doors. He knows his way around a woman.” Her glittering eyes settled on Amryn, who had just pressed her teacup to her lips. “You must tell us what sort of lover the Butcher is.”

Amryn choked on her tea, her cheeks suddenly burning.

“Oh come now, there’s no need to be shy. We’re all married women. You can tell us what he’s like. I’m sure Tam is also dyingto know.”

“I’m fine without knowing,” Tam said, her voice almost a mutter.

“You can’t expect me to believe you’re not curious,” Marriset said. “Aside from Prince Argent, he’s the most notable person here. General Vincetti is positively infamous. And exceptionally attractive. What is it about dangerous men?” Her tongue darted over her lips. “I certainly wouldn’t mind having him. As my husband, I mean.” Her flare of passion—not to mention her possessive tone—made it clear she was not lying. She wanted Carver.

Strange, how that made Amryn bristle. She shifted her weight, though it did nothing to make her more comfortable. “Should we join the others?” she asked.

“A great idea,” Tam said, already moving.

Amryn followed, and, unfortunately, Marriset was right behind her.

A long, empty settee waited across from Jayveh, Cora, and Sadia. There was a low table between the available couch and the others, and Tam was quick to take the farthest spot. Amryn sat on the opposite end, balancing her tea and saucer carefully as she did so.

Jayveh and Sadia were chatting, and their conversation didn’t break as Marriset ignored the chair she’d occupied before and instead sat on the settee between Amryn and Tam.

Saints, this woman was going to drive Amryn mad.

Marriset sat with perfect posture, her back straight and one leg crossed primly over the other. She took another bite of her small sandwich before glancing at Amryn again. “So, how was he?”

Amryn looked at her. “What?”

Marriset’s eyes fairly glittered. “How was Carver? They say he takes whatever he sets his mind to on the battlefield. Is it the same in the bedroom?”

Amryn wanted to ignore her—or simply tell her off—but her face seared with heat, and she could feel the woman’s determination to get answers. She had to say something, or Marriset would keep pressing for details. “He got back to our room quite late after seeing to the emperor. He was very tired.”

Marriset’s eyes rounded. “He didn’t want you?”

Her words stung. Which was ridiculous, considering how relieved Amryn had been when Carver hadn’t touched her last night.

Marriset clicked her tongue. “How horrible. If you need my advice on how to seduce a man, let me know.” Her eyes dragged over Amryn. “Just a few little adjustments would make a vast improvement.”

Her rudeness wasn’t a surprise at this point, but the way this woman made Amryn’s own cattiness emerge was unexpected. Her smile was narrow as she met Marriset’s gaze. “Oh, I think I’ve learned enough from you already.”

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