the door, entering the room. Her mother sat at the writing desk. There was no sign of Springdawn. Piro sent the queen a searching look.
Her mother put her pen down and greeted them. 'Thank you, Pirola. Come in, Valens.'
'I explained how your Turns were getting worse, mother,' Piro said, gesturing to the manservant. 'And he thinks he can help.'
'Thank you, Piro.' Her mother did not miss a beat. 'Valens, I understand you use a special cream on Rolen to help his joints? Could I see it?'
'I do, but it won't help with your problem, Queen Myrella.' He put his leather case on the desk and opened the straps with a practised flick of his wrists. Before he could open the lid, the queen grabbed the case and shoved it under her desk.
Startled, he took a step back.
Springdawn came out from behind the tapestry that covered the servants' stair.
Piro darted out of the way, but did not leave. She did not want to miss this for anything.
'Valens of Ostron Isle, you have been accused of practising unauthorised Power-working on the king,' Springdawn announced with relish.
'Send for King Rolen,' Valens insisted. 'I have been nothing but a faithful servant -'
'Then you won't mind if I search your mind for untamed Affinity,' Springdawn countered.
Valens lifted his hands palm up. 'Do it, if you must.'
Springdawn stepped forwards.
Something was wrong here. Piro went to protest, but Springdawn, eager to make a name for herself, reached for Valens. The moment her fingers touched his temples he pressed his hands over hers.
She gasped.
Piro's nostrils stung and she tasted power on her tongue as her sight shifted to the Unseen. Valens pulsed with radiant Affinity. With each pulse, he drew off more of Springdawn's power, just as he had been drawing off her father's... only the king didn't have power. No, but his innate life force animated him and, recently, he had been only a shade of his former self.
The nun dropped to her knees. Valens bent over her. Piro sprang forwards.
'Don't touch,' her mother cried, the words echoing hollowly down the long tunnel of Piro's altered perception.
Piro grabbed a foot stool and slammed it down on Valens' shoulders. The timber joints squeaked in protest. The stool rebounded from her fingers, gone numb from the impact. But Valens did not fall. Instead Springdawn collapsed at his feet.
Valens released the nun and caught Piro's arm, swinging her around. Before she could react, he had her back pressed to his chest, a small dagger digging into her throat just under her right ear.
Piro clenched her fist and drove it into his ribs. She heard him grunt with pain, but his grip didn't slacken as he backed towards the door to the corridor.
His panting and her ragged breathing were the only sounds in the solarium.
Her mother stood absolutely still. 'Let Piro go. I won't call for the guards. Just let her go.'
But Piro knew he wouldn't. He'd touched her, tasted her Affinity. When she was no longer any use to him as a hostage he'd drain her too.
Piro felt him tense as he went to reach for the door. Then he made an odd strangled sound and hot fluid ran over her shoulder, down her arm. She stared at the bright red blood.
Valens released her.
Piro stepped away, turning around to see a gaping tear in his throat under his right ear. Even with one hand clasping the wound, blood pumped between his fingers.
Valens pitched forwards. Piro only just slipped out of the way in time.
Seela came in, shut the door and wiped her dainty little knife on his back, then crossed and pushed it into the coals of the brazier for a moment.
'Fire purifies evil Affinity, remember that, Piro.' This was said in the same tone her nurse had used to remind her to wear her woolen under garments.
Piro couldn't find her voice.
'Thank you, Seela,' her mother whispered.
'Power-workers always forget a knife is just as deadly to them,' Seela remarked. She withdrew the knife, tested the blade for heat, then tucked it into her belt sheath where it had always been kept, ready to peel fresh apples and pears for hungry children.
Piro blinked. The world contracted to a single, bright spot of light reflecting off the knife hilt. She felt the floor come up towards her.
When the mists cleared her hearing returned first.
'There, love,' Seela was saying. 'Just lift your shoulder.'
Her bodice peeled off down both arms and Piro opened her eyes to find she was lying on the day bed