The head cook of the Daanorian palace’s kitchens, while understandably frightened, displayed that brand of courage common in those who take immense pride in their work and refused to leave his domain for something so trite as a hostile takeover. The Dark asha had chosen not to impinge on his territory, asking for very little in her choice of viands during our stay, but it was difficult to scale back on banquets when you had spent most of your life serving as an emperor’s chef.

Today was a different story. Word of Princess Inessa’s visit was quick to spread, and at the bone witch’s command, a table was wheeled into the throne room, sideboards groaning with many Daanorian delicacies: sweet and sour pork in a delicate plum sauce topped with coriander, diced chicken in simmered dried chili and fried peanuts, strips of roasted duck wrapped in celery and served in a sweet-potato-and-vinegar soybean sauce. Fried wonton and lamb dumplings rounded out the sides of the silver plates. This was a banquet fit for kings, and my mouth watered from the savory smells as each tray was uncovered.

Not even the princess remained unaffected for long. She eyed several of the dishes with longing and appeared to be summoning every measure of willpower not to reach for the nearest plate.

“These aren’t just for display,” the asha reminded her. “They’re all quite edible.”

“I’m not that hungry.” A small growl issued from her stomach, amplified by the silence.

“If you’ve been traveling with the army, then you’ve had little to eat the last few weeks. The food is not poisoned if that’s what you’re concerned about.” To prove it, the asha selected a small strip of chicken and bit into it. “Bard, you are more than welcome to join us.”

I confess that my hunger was quick to overpower my good manners. I reached for a piece of lamb dumpling; it tasted like heaven.

“Bard?” The princess stared at me, then back at her. “He is here to tell your story because you have no intentions of surviving this, do you?”

“Why are you here, Inessa? Judging from the lack of guards in your wake, you told no one you were coming. Not even Fox.”

“I’m good at sneaking in and out of palaces. And I’ve had ample time to explore the Daanorian palace, as you know. You stationed no guards.”

“Your entrance did not escape my daeva’s attention. It takes great courage to walk past them, knowing full well what they can do.”

The princess gulped. “I was terrified. But I know you could not possibly be the monster they are making you out to be. Please, Tea. Stop this madness. Kalen would not have approved of you seeking revenge on his behalf.”

The bone witch ladled out tea into three porcelain cups. “I am not doing this for revenge on Kalen’s behalf, Inessa.”

“Prove me wrong!”

“Kalen, the princess is asking for you.”

The princess froze, mouth agape, when Lord Kalen and Khalad stepped into the room. She rose to her feet and fought to maintain her composure, though her voice still trembled. “The elders told me that… It’s not possible…”

“The elders told you many things that are not possible,” the bone witch said.