“Pardon me for saying this, empress,” Kurtis went on, “but I must raise my concerns once again about staying in Paelsia much longer. As you witnessed for yourself, despite winning the people over with the promises you’ve made to them, they are very dangerous and quick to violence, like cornered, injured wild animals. And if there are more rebel factions here in Mytica—let alone any who might arrive from overseas . . .” He shivered. “This is far too dangerous a place for you to remain.”

She squeezed her eyes shut as her head began to throb from the sound of his reedy voice. “And what would you suggest, Lord Kurtis?”

“I would suggest that we continue on to Auranos, to the City of Gold and the royal palace there. I assure you that it would be much more suited to your greatness.”

“I know how beautiful the palace is, Lord Kurtis. I’ve been there before.”

“I’ve already written to my father about this possibility, and he enthusiastically approves. There will be a great feast planned in your honor, and the greatest dressmaker in Hawk’s Brow, Lorenzo Tavera, will be commissioned to create a magnificent gown for you to wear to greet your Auranian subjects.”

Amara stared at Kurtis so intensely that he took a shaky step backward.

“I don’t know,” she said quietly, still running her finger slowly around the rim of her glass. “What do you think, Nerissa?”

Nerissa took a moment to consider this. “I think Lord Kurtis is correct that Lorenzo Tavera would create a magnificent gown. He is the one who created Princess Cleiona’s wedding gown.”

“But what of the move there?”

“I think that is entirely up to you, your grace.”

“Lord Kurtis.” Amara leaned forward to regard the kingsliege, holding on to the last sliver of patience she had within her. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. However, I’m not ready to leave Paelsia quite yet. You shall go in my place to personally oversee the creation of this gown and the preparation of this feast. And you will leave immediately.”

“What?” Kurtis frowned deeply. “I . . . I meant that we should all go. I am your royal advisor and—”

“And that’s exactly why it’s so important that you are the one who’ll represent me there.”

“But I had hoped to be present when Prince Magnus was finally captured.”

“Of course you had. But as you so graciously pointed out, other matters hold much more importance for me, such as gowns and feasts in Auranos.” Amara waved him away. “You will leave the compound by sundown. That is an order, Lord Kurtis.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment she thought he might actually argue with her. She waited, considering removing his other hand as a penalty for insubordination.

Instead, he gave a firm nod. “Yes, empress. As you wish.”

Kurtis left the room.

Amara gestured to a guard near the door. “Ensure that he does exactly as I commanded.”

The guard bowed and followed Kurtis.

“Well, little empress, it certainly looks as if you have everything under control here.”

Amara’s grip tightened on her golden goblet at the sound of Kyan’s voice, unexpected after three long days of silence.

“You may leave as well, Nerissa,” Amara said.

“Yes, empress.” Nerissa bowed and did as she was told.

If everyone were as obedient, as agreeable as Nerissa Florens, life would be much sweeter and simpler, Amara thought as she watched her lovely attendant leave the room and close the door behind her.

“When will we perform the ritual?” she asked.

“These are the words you greet me with after my travels? I have to say I’m underwhelmed, little empress.”

“I’m not a little empress,” she said, her voice rising. “I am the empress.”

“You’re upset. With me or with the world as a whole?”

“I nearly died while you were away. Rebels attempted to assassinate me—here, where you told me to come. The very place where you promised I would become more powerful than anyone else.”

“Yet you’re alive and look very well. Obviously they failed.”

“No thanks to you.” It seemed she couldn’t quite control her impatience today, not even in the presence of a god.

“And what would you have liked me to do had I been by your side? Did you have a torch I might have made burn brighter to scare the rebels away? I already explained to you that the full power of what I am is stifled in this incorporeal form.”

“Yes, you did explain that.” She stood up so that she could gaze out her window at the open arena where fifty-three people, including Cleo’s friend Nic, had been killed. Patches of blood stained the ground. “Actually, apart from a swelling in my fireplace in Limeros and a few lit candles, I’ve seen no signs of your magic at all. I’ve heard so much about the magic of the Kindred, so I must admit my disappointment.”

“I understand your impatience, little empress, as a mortal’s life is short, but I will caution you not to speak with such disrespect to me.”

Amara tried very hard to keep a hold on her rising anger. “I should return to Kraeshia to my grandmother’s side to help her deal with the last traces of the revolution there. She’s old—she shouldn’t have to take on so much responsibility at her age.”

“The ritual draws nearer than you might think. I have successfully gathered the pieces that we will need. We will need sacrifices, though. Blood will be necessary to strengthen this magic, since it does not come from the sorceress herself.”