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containing the Hierarch’s portrait. I pulled out the beautiful jewel-like piece and brought it back over to my sister-in-law, then laid it in her hand.
    Her brows lifted, and she gave a nod. “Ah, well, if this portrait is anything close to a true one, then I can see that he is quite handsome. And, as you said, if you had not already given your heart to someone else, perhaps that would be enough. But, circumstances being what they are….” She shook her head. “I will attempt to talk some sense into your brother, make him see that just because the formal announcement has not been made, it does not mean you have not already bound yourself to Lord Sorthannic.”
    “He will only try to browbeat me with arguments about trade agreements and such,” I said with some bitterness.
    “Well, he can try. However, I will tell him that trade agreements are all very well, but they do not keep a woman warm at night.”
    “Ashara!” I exclaimed, somewhat shocked that she would utter such a thing. Heat flooded my cheeks. Of course I knew they were a very affectionate pair — too affectionate, some might say, and remark that such obvious love between the Emperor and his wife was not seemly — but I had not expected her to ever allude so openly to those sorts of relations.
    “Oh, what point is it trying to avoid such things?” Her gaze slid toward her belly, and she ran one hand over the skirts of her copper-colored velvet gown, although she was slender as always, showing no sign of the child she carried. “I rather think it would be disingenuous to imply that my relationship with the Emperor is not intimate. At any rate,” she went on, getting to her feet so she might move closer to the fire, “it is not as if the Keshiaari ambassadors know that your engagement to Lord Sorthannic is not precisely formal.”
    “Oh, I think they know that very well,” I said darkly. I loved Ashara, and she had a quick mind, but she had not yet lived at court long enough to know that everything the imperial family did — or did not do — was common knowledge. And even if it were not, well, lands with far less influence and wealth than Keshiaar had their spies here in Sirlende, so of course I could expect no less of that desert empire.
    A certain knowing light entered her eyes, and she gave a brief nod. “Well, if that is the case, then I think it best that you write to his lordship. Have him come to you here in Iselfex. Do not tell him the reason why, only that it is urgent. He will come, will he not?”
    “Yes,” I replied immediately. True, Thani had been back at Marric’s Rest for not quite a fortnight, but I knew he would return to the capital if I asked. And it would be so much easier to face down my brother if it were the two of us doing it. “That is an excellent idea, Ashara. I will dispatch a letter to him at once.” On a sudden impulse, I went to her and gave her a quick hug. “Although Torric is being rather pig-headed about this particular matter, I do have to admit that he showed extremely good judgment when he chose you.”
    Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she laughed and gave an airy wave of one hand. “Oh, well, when the alternative is the Lady Brinda Aldrenne, that makes the choice somewhat easier, does it not?”
    I gave a mock shudder. “I suppose that is true.”
    Arlyn returned at that point with the tea, and we moved the conversation to more innocuous topics. I had no idea how much of the reason for the ambassadors’ visit had already begun to circulate through the palace, but I saw no reason to give the gossips any additional ammunition. And after an appropriate interval, Ashara excused herself — no doubt to return to Torric and gravely inform him that I was intractable when it came to the Hierarch’s suit, and that the ambassadors had made this long journey for nothing.
    I loved her for that…but I also knew my brother would not give up so easily.

Chapter 2
    W hat precisely passed between Ashara and my