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PROLOGUE
1Three moons later…It was Pez’s idea but it was Zafira who had found him, had seen the potential; still she was shocked by his skill. She feared for the young man, but his uncannily calm manner and quiet confidence convinced her that he was right for this curious role. He asked for no money, which made it harder for her to ask him to do what she did. And when she pressed him for his reason for taking on such personal risk, he had staggered her by confiding that all he wanted to do was serve the Goddess. At his tender age what could he know about Lyana? And yet he had been firm in his claim that he had been called by the Goddess to this dangerous task.Now Pez echoed all her anxieties. She had hoped he would ooze his usual confidence—needed him to—but it seemed he was as unnerved as she was by this youngster.They sat in a small room stirred gently by a soft breath of wind that although it had journeyed halfway up the hillside of Percheron, still carried the scent of the sea. They could s
2Maliz, the demon, comfortable in the body of the newly promoted Grand Vizier, approached the Zar confidently. The young ruler was in his private courtyard with its wide verandah overlooking the Faranel. Alongside the slim Zar stood the monstrously large form of Salmeo, Grand Master Eunuch of the harem.Maliz smiled. Tariq, the man whose body he had stolen, had hated the black castrate and the feeling had been so intensely mutual that none of Maliz’s genuine attempts at repairing past damage were welcomed with any warmth by the suspicious head of the harem. History prevailed, hate reigned. Maliz found it amusing, as much as wise, to keep trying, though.He bowed—“Zar Boaz”—before nodding toward Salmeo in a far more polite gesture than Tariq could ever have mustered. “Grand Master Eunuch. Please forgive my interruption.”The Zar nodded. “We were just finishing, Tariq. Salmeo has agreed to organize the boating picnic I promised the women many moons ago.”“Oh, how charming,” Maliz replied, an
3The Valide sipped the fruit infusion she took each morning, maintaining it kept her complexion unlined and unblemished. “And what did he want to see him about?” she asked her guest as she put the porcelain cup down beside her. She was simply making conversation, for she couldn’t trouble herself with every discussion that her son had with the reinvented Tariq.“I don’t know, Valide,” Salmeo admitted. “I thought you might.”“Boaz doesn’t include me in his decisions anymore—certainly not in recent times. As he looks like a man now, he thinks like one, too,” she said, and he heard the not-so-well disguised sorrow in her voice.“Then he’ll be acting like one soon,” Salmeo replied, knowing the Valide would understand his innuendo.“He’ll choose her first,” she warned.It was not something the Grand Master Eunuch needed to be told. “We can’t stop that.”“She’s dangerous, Salmeo. I made a mistake in choosing Ana. I should have let Lazar have his little girl.”“I’m not sure anything used to simmer in
4The man, hunched like a sack of grain in the chair, stared intently out to sea. Hair, once black as the famous velvet from Shagaire, now curiously golden, blew across his face, unnoticed.The wind was refreshing rather than cold, for summer had begun to lay its new warmth over the land. Nevertheless the man’s bones seemed to rattle from a constant shivering that had nothing to do with any chill. The goat’s-wool blanket hung loosely from his hollow frame, ignored and as unwanted by the wearer as any other form of comfort that tried its healing qualities but failed. This one wanted to suffer, for in suffering there was life.The day itself had been sublime, its brightness almost painful on the eyes, but the man’s gaze was distracted neither by the sparkle of the first season’s sun nor the glistening Faranel Sea it lit and ultimately warmed. Instead all focus was riveted on the far distance and the glowing outline of the city of Percheron, blushing fiercely in the late afternoon sunlight.
5Pez found Ana sitting with most of the other odalisques in the divan suite. Here couches were laid out around the walls and across the room at well-spaced intervals so the young women could lounge, relax, take some iced tea or sweet pastries if they chose, but, most importantly, this was where most could inhale the fumes of the burning garammala.This oil, yielded by squeezing the leaves of a tree that grew only on the fringe of the desert, was headily expensive, yet most of the rich of Percheron enjoyed it occasionally. Pez had tried it only twice and both times had been violently ill, so he had never grasped the attraction, although watching others, he realized it usually had a completely different effect. It appeared to relax users to a state of calm whilst somehow keeping them alert, as if all their senses were heightened. Unlike other relaxants, garammala did not make users slur, drowse, or hallucinate. It simply put them into a gentle, happy mood, bordering on mildly euphoric. It
6The Zar had invited the Valide to meet the young men being presented. He explained, “They are primarily for my protection, Mother, but I would like to put them at your service as well.”Herezah felt a stab of joy. So her son hadn’t forgotten her. “Me?” she said, infusing her voice with innocence.“Of course. Mother to the Zar? I cannot have you under any threat.”Now the Valide smiled at her son. “Thank you, Boaz, although I cannot imagine any danger to me within the harem.”“It’s Tariq to whom we owe gratitude,” Boaz admitted, and Herezah’s joy turned sour.“Oh?”“This is his idea. He wants all-day, all-night protection for me. He suggested this morning that you should be included in this special ring of security.”“I see,” Herezah said, trying to disguise the chill in her tone with a forced smile. “I must thank him. Is there a threat we should be concerned about?”Boaz reached for one of the huge redberries piled on a silver platter. He dipped it into the glistening bowl of honey nearby bef
7Ana now shared a sleeping chamber with only one other girl. History had shown that youngsters put into one main chamber tended to achieve nothing other than a lack of sleep. And although tradition had it that older women preferred congregating together for sleeping, many of the odalisques in this harem were still children. Even most of the older ones remained immature and giggly, with years of growing up to do before they could be considered sedate members of the harem.Ana and her chamber companion and only friend, Sascha, were the most composed girls and Salmeo hoped they would lead the other odalisques by example. Sascha, a shy, intelligent young woman, was not well this evening. Ana had guided Sascha, who had been bent double with an ache in her belly, to find one of the Elim to take her to the harem’s infirmary. The strong Elim carried the ailing girl away and Ana conveniently found herself alone this night.She toyed with the idea of going for a stroll—now that almost a year had p
8After leaving Ana, Pez had flown to Star Island, where he suspected he would find a ready companion in Lazar. With the newfound freedom of his wings and the fact that he was clearly not required by the Zar, there was no need to remain at the palace that night. He understood he wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway with his mind racing from his conversation with Ana, particularly the discussion about Kett.Pez knew that the Raven always appeared after Iridor and before Lyana. Another servant of the Goddess, he was often referred to as the black bird of omen, but Pez hadn’t wanted to say too much that might frighten Ana. As it was, her acceptance of the potential mantle of Lyana’s incarnation felt so calm it was remarkable. But Kett was definitely someone that Pez would have to watch and somehow find a way to bring closer to Ana. If what he suspected was right and Ana was the reemerging Goddess, then she would need to receive whatever message Lyana had passed on through the Raven for her.“Cou
9It was no good. Despite her best efforts, Ana could not contain the general excitement within the harem spilling into screeches and raised voices that were not considered appropriate for any of the odalisques. And she could not blame a single one of her companions, for she, too, had felt her heart swell this morning at the news that their boat picnic had been brought forward—they were going out today.For almost two weeks they had been trapped inside doing tedious needlework and tirelessly rehearsing court etiquette—how to behave when addressed by the Valide, how to behave in front of the Zar, his guests, visiting dignitaries. There were endless lessons, and although most of the young women took to these studies with enthusiasm—for they were eager to succeed in the harem—the bright days outside served only to make Ana feel listless and downright resentful at times. It felt like punishment on these sparkling spring mornings to be cooped up inside. Even her pleasure at language studies h
10Salmeo knew he had to catch the Valide before she and Ana left the palace. It appeared as though their crafty plan was to be outwitted by the Zar and his helpless infatuation for the girl. He found the Valide draping herself with the dark veil that would cover her tight silks from head to toe for her excursion.She looked at him, surprised. “I permitted you only because my servants said you were breathless. So presumably this is important?”“Highly,” he said, sucking in air.“Zarab save us! That run has cost you, eunuch. More than important, then…dangerous, even?”“Very,” he managed to say, bending over slightly to help himself breathe.“Well, get on with it, Salmeo. I’m about to depart the palace. The karaks have arrived and I don’t want to linger long enough for the sun to warm them too much.”“Valide,” he began, wondering how best to deliver this news. She glowered at him. “It’s about Odalisque Ana.”“What of her?” she demanded, irritated.“The Zar has chosen her. Just now,” he said, not
11Eyes normally light in color were now darkened by news that hurt him to his soul. He worked hard to keep his expression neutral even as the fresh information was delivered, but his brow creased and then dipped, hooding his haunted face still further. His lips were pressed together as though determined to deny escape to any words that might betray their owner.Finally Lazar let go of the breath he hadn’t realized he’d held so tightly in his chest. “Boaz said it this morning?” he repeated, demanding confirmation that he did not need.“That is what I have discovered.”“From whom? You were not there, I take it?”“From a reliable witness.”“Why are you being evasive?”“To protect you.”“From what?” Lazar sneered, slamming his hand down on the cottage’s scrubbed table.Pez remained patient. “From information that can incriminate. Trust me, Lazar, you do not want to hear this.”Lazar did but he didn’t have time to fret over Pez’s secrets right now. Ana’s life was about to change once again. “And she
12Pez’s plans to see Zafira had unraveled. He had not been able to find her in the morning as he’d intended and now it was getting late in the day after his run-in with Lazar. He had tried to find Ana but had learned through one of the Elim that she was being prepared for the Zar. He made use of the quiet to wield the Lore to help mend the crack that Lazar’s fist had inflicted on his jaw, but it didn’t do much to lessen the pain. That would be with him until it fully healed.He decided that flying to the temple was just too risky—he had been flying too much lately, and a snowy-white owl, if spotted, would be considered a prize acquisition for a wily hunter. Instead he slipped away from the palace in the late afternoon and took a stroll down to the temple. As always when passing through the grand bazaar, Pez got lost in his own thoughts. He loved this bustling, thriving city within the city, but because there were so many people around him, and Pez had allowed his concentration to lapse,
13Ana had never looked more stunning. Even she was surprised by the solemn yet dazzling person staring back at her from the glass.“He will adore you,” Elza whispered, praying to Zarab that the girl would put behind her the episode with the Grand Master Eunuch that had left her trembling, bleeding, and puffy-eyed from weeping. When she had tried to comfort the young woman, Ana had exclaimed that she was crying not from grief, but from anger.“I don’t care,” Ana replied stiffly, her rouged lips making her scowl seem alluring rather than how she intended it to be.“Miss Ana, please. Let this go well for you. To be First Chosen is one of the highest prizes. Look how the harem honors you with its finest jewels. I hear the Valide herself chose and bought them for you. The Grand Master Eunuch put them around your neck himself to honor you.”Ana’s voice was waspish when it came. “For your sake alone, Elza, I am not ripping these jewels from my neck and wrists and ankles.”The slave gasped. “They a
14Ana had lost sense of time and place. She had heard some voices—men’s voices—and presumed the guards were moving them through the various gates, although she had no idea which. All she knew was the swaying rhythm of Kett’s hurried movements, and just moments ago she’d felt herself tip dangerously forward, but her heart had leaped at this sudden movement—first in fear and then in hope. Surely this meant they were free of the palace, moving downhill toward the bazaar. Still, she didn’t dare make any sound…not yet.Kett had broken into a jog. She presumed she must be feeling unbearably heavy and he must see his destination, she thought, for him to be risking breaking into a run. Within moments she felt herself dropping and then hitting the ground hard. Fortunately the fabrics in the bundle around her cushioned her fall.Ana could hear Kett’s labored breathing. Still she waited until he opened the bundle before she said anything, for she couldn’t be sure he hadn’t simply dropped her from e
15The Grand Vizier sipped the sweetened wine and eyed his Zar, who seemed restless, distracted. “Yes, as I was saying, I had some business to attend to in the city. And I gather there’s been some excitement in my absence.”Boaz turned from the window, tearing his gaze from the Sea Temple. “Excitement? I suppose you could call sentencing two people I like to hideous deaths exciting.”“I’m sorry, my Zar, that was tactless of me. This task seems to be a habit for you.”“Odalisque Ana is my First Chosen. I had hoped to make her a Favorite; more, perhaps.”“You are that fond of her? Already?”“She is my equal,” he replied softly. And when the Vizier raised his eyebrows at the comment, Boaz explained, “Not in status, obviously. But her mind is sharp and agile. She is mysterious. Her peers are like open books that are read without much interest, whilst Ana is closed, fascinating. The others are also vain, already scheming for my attention, whilst Ana—easily the most beautiful—is hardly aware of th
16The ship had glided near the twin giants, announcing itself with torches rather than horns. Had Lazar and Pez been rowing from Star Island just a little later, they would have seen her. She was now anchored at the mouth of the Bay of Percheron, her timbers creaking as they gently rocked on the calm waters lapping at Ezram’s feet. The night itself was no longer calm, however; soldiers of the Percherese Guard lined the shore and more arrived as each minute passed.A flotilla of smaller craft carrying armed men bobbed silently in the bay itself. The men watched one of their senior officers board the foreign vessel, all silently wishing they had their Spur to lead them in what felt like a prelude to something infinitely more dangerous to their city.The senior officer, also wishing Spur Lazar were handling this meeting instead of him, cleared his throat and announced himself to the two somberly dressed but nonetheless elegant men who received him.“I am Captain Ghassal of the Shield.” He ga
17Elza raised a small handheld mirror to Ana’s face. Ana didn’t even bother to glance into it. “What does it matter,” she said softly, “how I am clothed or my hair is dressed? All will be ruined shortly.”“Even in death you will be beautiful.”“Leave me, Elza,” Ana said abruptly. “I am ready. I await my summons.”Once alone, she said a prayer to Lyana to watch over her father and siblings, to protect Pez in his secrecy, and to give Kett strength to face his death as she now faced hers. She begged forgiveness of her Goddess for Kett’s suffering once again and also for not fulfilling what she was perhaps born to do. And surely if she were Lyana’s incarnation—she would have more internal clues? Pez had had more than enough indication that he was a disciple of Lyana. But she? All the early doubts came into sharp focus for her in this quiet hour as she faced her death. If she was Lyana, then she was failing her followers before she’d even had a chance to do anything positive for their faith. W
18Salmeo was right. It was a curious morning, filled with foreboding. The Elim had prayed to Zarab as they escorted Ana behind the enormous eunuch to the region of the palace known as the River Gate. Ana, too, was entranced by the strange, eerie light this morning had brought.She had never witnessed such a phenomenon and yet somewhere deep in her memories she knew—in the same strange way that she knew the names of the Stones of Percheron—that this was a rare eclipse when the moon shielded the sun, bringing an odd twilight to the day when it should be brightening to full morning.The dark side of the moon seemed to mourn the proceedings and this interpretation was not lost on those gathered—Salmeo had to urge his Elim forward, to fight their fear of this sign from the heavens.Ana smiled, convinced now that Lyana was soothing her, showing Ana her command of all things natural. It was a genuine comfort and Ana took it to mean that Lyana would prevail in this battle. Zarab and his followers
19Lazar heard the Second Bell and its tolling stopped him in his tracks. He bent down, hands on thighs as he sucked in air, and then he straightened with rage and shouted a mournful howl of despair. He could see the River Gate, could see where an Elim executioner peered down into the depths and where Salmeo and Herezah were turning toward his keening with expressions that were triumphant.He was too late. Ana was gone.He yelled again his anger but something akin to pain passed through his head and then the voices that he had heard once before came again. Save her! they urged, somehow familiar yet belonging to people he didn’t know.Who are you?You must save her, they persisted, and then with fury driving their tone: Go!Fear, he decided, was the final factor that gave him the impetus once again to hurl himself forward, even though he felt spent. Salmeo, approaching, his face frowning in confusion as to who this stranger running at them was, raised a hand. Lazar ignored him, launching hims
20Boaz was pleased to see that Tariq had played his role as dignitary to perfection, despite the language problem. He had arranged for a table to be dressed in an anteroom connected to the Throne Room, and servants had set up an enticing feast for the visitors. Seated on exquisite embroidered cushions, arranged on the floor, the two men had capitulated to the Vizier’s urgings that they refresh themselves with some food whilst they waited.It had actually not been long. As Boaz entered the chamber Marius and Lorto had just begun nibbling on the decadent array of brightly presented food. They struggled to their feet to bow, and Boaz, not usually prone to cynicism, was nevertheless uncertain whether the two visitors were bowing to the Zar of Percheron or the Crown Prince of Galinsea directly behind him.“Ask them to make themselves comfortable again, Lazar,” he asked, and listened as, in three briefly uttered words, the Spur had them both seated again.Graciously, Boaz joined them on the flo
21Ana’s shock at seeing Lazar again—blond, bearded—al-most unnerved her as she entered the chamber. She took the few moments as she knelt to her Zar to compose herself. In the fleeting second that their eyes met, she saw that Lazar looked as full of dread and discomfort as she felt. She could see the toll that his fight to survive had taken on him.“Ah, gentlemen,” Boaz began. “This is Odalisque Ana. Rise, Ana.”She did so, though she kept her eyes lowered. The Grand Vizier stood protectively alongside her. She could feel the weight of Lazar’s stare, feel the heat of it sear past her veil and onto her skin, where it rested like a lingering kiss.“Ana, you may remove your veil,” Boaz said gently. “I want you to meet some esteemed guests of Percheron.” It was also a command to raise her eyes. She did as her Zar bid and ignored the flare of pleasure in the strangers’ eyes as they looked upon her fully. “This is Marius D’Argenny,” Boaz said, his hand gesturing toward an older, silver-haired m
22Ana was hurriedly whisked from the Throne Room to be prepared for her marriage in the finest garments that could be assembled in such a short time. The Galinseans were shown to some accommodations where they could rest and freshen themselves.Boaz asked Lazar to join himself and the Vizier in a private courtyard. Pez was nowhere to be seen.Lazar had barely moments to spend with Jumo, who still wore an expression of incredulity as they walked along the palace corridors toward the Moon Courtyard.“I can’t believe it,” the faithful servant said again. “And you look so different.”Lazar shook his head. “None of this need have happened if only I’d been asked.”“But they said you were unconscious, incapable of conversation, and then you died. What else could we believe? Even Pez was duped initially, I gather.”“He was. I owe you some explanation of what really happened, my friend, but right now we must make arrangements.”“Yes, I understand the urgency. I feel responsible. This war threat is bec
23The entire palace had swung into action. The kitchen had never worked more ferociously, although a feast for such a modest number of people was easy for the cooks to achieve. No Percherese wedding, rich or poor, peasant or royal, was complete without rice, tinted yellow with saffron. And in this instance, because it was the Zar, and the bride was his First Chosen, the golden rice would be scattered with precious jewels.Animals were slaughtered, and although there was no time to roast them whole, alongside everything else that had to be prepared in time, the carcasses were carved up and simmered with vegetables. Soon the palace grounds were scented with the fragrance of cinnamon and cardamom, spicing the meat to be served with the golden rice. Beef was minced, spiced, formed into small individual mounds to be roasted over coals and served with flatbreads and yogurt laced with garlic and slivers of onion, together with fresh, ripe tomatoes. Anchovies were battered, ready to be deep-fri
24Lazar did not join the festivities; instead he tried to put distance between himself and the Zar’s private chambers, convincing himself that if he were physically removed he might also be able to remove the thought of Ana and Boaz from his mind. He found himself in a lonely orange grove on the fringe of the palace complex, mercifully empty of workers or servants. His head hurt from lack of sleep, but his heart hurt far more.Pez found him brooding.“You didn’t hide it very well.”Lazar looked up from the ground, where he had been studying an ant’s labors. “What do you mean?”“Ana.”“That obvious?”“Not to Boaz, thankfully.”“I thought I could handle it, Pez. I thought I was bigger, stronger, tougher.”“Than what?”“Than love,” Lazar replied wistfully.Pez hefted himself onto the small stone bench seat next to Lazar. He was silent for a few moments. And then he sighed. “I hadn’t realized how painful this is for you.”“If I didn’t have to keep seeing her, it might be easier.”“This is true, but yo
25Ana was escorted back to the harem, where she was met by cheering and excitement from the girls, who had stayed up late to welcome her.“They haven’t yet grasped that she is their enemy,” Herezah murmured to Salmeo when he joined her.“Oh, but they will, Valide. Most are still barely out of childhood, excited by the novelty.”“How did she seem directly afterward?”“No weeping, if that’s what you mean, Valide.”He noticed how his news disappointed her. “Boaz finds it hard to hurt an insect,” she retaliated, her words sour even. “So, tell me, how was she?”Salmeo took a moment to consider his response. “Calm, dignified. There was definitely something between them.”“Be specific, Salmeo—what?”“It’s hard to say, Valide. I only delivered and collected Ana, so my time with them both was limited to barely moments. She appeared visibly nervous on the way to the Zar’s chambers, but she struck me as sedate and entirely in control, with her usual sneer for me, when I reclaimed her.”“She doesn’t appear
26Ana was invited to travel with her Zar in a special karak for two carried by ten Elim. Boaz was determined to see the caravan off himself at the edge of the city, so it was a colorful, almost festive party of dignitaries and servants who snaked down the hill from the palace by torchlight, following the Zar’s personal cavalcade. They were still celebrating their ruler’s marriage, playing up the romance of the two virgins in their minds.Inside the karak it was somber.“I hope I won’t let you down,” Ana said, breaking the silence.Boaz took her hand, and although it was dark in the karak, he stared into the eyes he knew were the color of the sea on a winter’s evening. “You won’t. You know you don’t have to veil in here?”Ana involuntarily reached for her cheek but stopped herself from touching it. “I know, I’m just trying to be respectful.” There was not enough light to show the bruise that had developed but still she preferred Boaz to farewell her in a gentle frame of mind, rather than an
27The group of men, nomads, arrived with the camels at just past midnight. The camp was mostly silent; the Valide, Zaradine, and Grand Vizier were resting, if not asleep. The two women shared tented accommodation that could be considered grand—lavish by the visitors’ awed stares—but Lazar knew that Percheron could have yielded something infinitely more breathtaking in terms of opulence had it been given sufficient time. The Grand Vizier slept in a smaller, gaudily colored tent that would normally be used by far lesser dignitaries. Still, he had said his good nights without complaint, and again Lazar was struck by the radical changes in the man. Tariq would have required accommodations that screamed richness and status, but Maliz couldn’t seem to care less where he put his head down. Although in the past, Tariq had irritated Lazar as a meaningless, sycophantic drone, Maliz gave him a constant sense of un-ease. It was more than that, though. Maliz gave Lazar a feeling of dread, as though
28At Jumo’s insistence, Lazar tried to get some sleep, but it eluded him despite the fact that his body was bone-shakingly tired. He dozed restlessly on a skin beneath a few goat-hair blankets. He knew he had only two hours before they would have to rise and get the caravan moving before the heat of the day set in. This was summer and it could kill within an hour if it so chose and if the unprepared decided to gamble with it.He rolled away from the fire, and the men talking quietly around it. Feeling the frost near his face, Lazar acknowledged that a desert night could be just as deadly as the searing day.Forcing his eyes closed, he found some fitful rest. Amongst his frequent stirrings, his dreams punished him. Voices called to him. They urged him to set them free but he had no idea where their prison was.Unleash us on the land, Lazar. You will need us for the battle ahead.Who are you?Friends.Where are you?But there was no response and he realized he had jolted himself awake; he could
29The first seven days passed in a monotonous routine as everyone settled into rising before dawn and walking for a few hours until the sun noticed them and threw down her fury. They would then ride for another four hours, hardly wasting words, focused on nothing other than the sway of their camels and making it through the next hour when the skins of water would be handed around. The camels did not drink any water during this time but Lazar knew from Salim’s urgings that on this eighth day they must make it to a well or the animals would simply stop. Everyone, including the royals, had given up eating until the cool of the evening—no one even bothered with the morning flatbread anymore.Salim complained that if his men had been allowed to bring a saluki, the dog could have coursed for the desert hare and they might have enjoyed fresh meat. Fortunately he had shared this gripe only with Lazar, who kept it to himself. He didn’t need anyone fantasizing about fresh roasted meat when all th
30The next week passed in a slow cycle of repetitive days. Herezah no longer complained and was one of the first to rise, dress carefully in her desert robes, and be ready to travel. She now ate walking, on camel back, or whenever she was hungry—she no longer demanded ceremony, although Lazar had to admit she maintained a great elegance in all that she did, even here in the desert. He allowed each member of the royal party one bowl of water every three days to wash and appreciated how hard this was for someone like Herezah, who had known daily bathing rituals since she was a little girl. But the Valide did not complain. It seemed the release from the harem that this journey afforded her had offered her a glimpse at how life could be without plotting and cunning, without always looking ahead to where the next iota of power could be gained over the people she was forced to share her life with.Lazar understood. The desert was a great equalizer. As he had told her, there was no status out
31Back at the camp Ana was vomiting. She had eaten little for her first meal of the day but even that tiny amount was now staining the sands well beyond the royal tent.“Well, if her womb has quickened—and it sounds promising—we may have begun securing your son’s throne, Valide.” Maliz secretly wished he’d gone with the hunting party but he hadn’t been able to resist Ana’s pleas when, frightened by her worsening state, she had begged him to stay.“I suppose I should be pleased.” Herezah sighed, fanning herself to stir the hot air beneath their canopy. “I just wish it wasn’t hers.”“Why do you hate her so? She is good for your son.”“No, she’s not, Tariq. He is besotted with her. Boaz needs more wives if he is to truly secure his throne.”“And you think he won’t because of Ana.”“Boaz has developed such a fascination for this girl that I don’t notice him taking any interest in any of the other beautiful young women we have assembled for him. This is dangerous.”Maliz understood more than Herez
32It had been two days since he had lost Jumo, and although leaving the region of the quicksand and his death had helped to clear the morbid atmosphere that had pervaded everyone’s waking thoughts, it had done nothing to improve Lazar’s grim countenance. If anything, the latter had seemed to worsen into a dulled, impervious expression. Pez knew everyone assumed it was grief. But he suspected it was terror at Lazar’s dark thoughts of longing for the Zar’s wife.Lazar, in his withdrawn state, hadn’t realized that Ana had begun vomiting most of the meager bread and fruit she tried to eat in her bid to keep her side of their agreement, or that Salim was becoming decidedly nervous as they entered a part of the desert known simply to the tribes as the Empty. It took Pez and a hissing, angry exchange on this second night after Jumo’s death to finally get Lazar to take notice of anything more than his camel or the horizon.Pez found Lazar in the black of night sitting alone on the top of a dune
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