of an “oh my.” It would restore her family fortune. She could not imagine what kind of bets this man could be placing that would result in that kind of payoff for her and still leave a profit for himself. But was he truly that rich?
Well, he was not the only one who could research a peer. She didn’t doubt that with the assistance of the emperor-to-be, she could discover whether this man did in fact have the finances to make her such an offer. Or if he had another, wealthier backer behind his request.
“How can I refuse such a very generous offer?” Lady Evara said, fanning herself as if she were swooning at his attention. “But while the reward is substantial, so are the risks. I must wait for an opportunity to present itself.”
“Of course. Please know if you were to succeed, it would fill my heart with joy, and both our vaults with gold.” Bowing, he excused himself.
She stood for a moment longer in the shadow of a statue.
She could go to the emperor-to-be. This was precisely the kind of information that would interest him, especially if her instincts were correct and the bribe money was more than Lord Petalo could afford on his own.
But there was the little matter of the offer itself. It was high enough to make all her problems go away. She did owe it to herself and her future to thoroughly consider all possibilities and ramifications.
No longer the least bit tired, Lady Evara again drifted and twinkled around the room, searching for another helping of shrimp.
If she were the type of person her parents—and the augurs and Lord Petalo and anyone else who knew the truth about her—thought she was, then she’d take the gold, preserve her reputation, and secure her future.
If she wasn’t . . . Well, that’s an interesting question, isn’t it.
It was a very large amount of gold.
Five days, six races, and six wins, though more than one was tight enough to make the hair on the back of Tamra’s neck stand up. She kept a close eye on Raia for any signs of exhaustion, but the girl seemed to be floating on the exhilaration of the races. Which was how it should be.
“Race like it’s new,” Tamra advised her as Raia prepared for the next race. “It has to be a fresh hunger every time.” She then sent her to the starting gate yet again.
With the races coming so close together now, there wasn’t much for a trainer to do except hope, console, and encourage. She was continuing to make sure Raia slept and ate, and she regularly checked the kehok for any signs of stress or injury.
It didn’t make it any easier to have no control.
Taking her spot in the stands, Tamra waited for the start of the next race. She glanced up at the royal box—the emperor-to-be was there, as always, and Lady Evara had woven herself in among the royal courtiers. Tamra hadn’t spoken to her lately and wondered what had been keeping her busy. Probably parties with nobles.
“Ready! Prepare! Race!” the announcer cried.
Yanking her mind back into the present, she watched Raia and her racer thunder around the track. She catalogued every stride, thinking of how it could be improved—dig a little deeper there, lean a little into the wind. Raia took the turn flawlessly.
“She’s really good, Mama,” a familiar voice said beside her.
Tamra’s breath caught in her throat. She spun around and there was Shalla! Dropping to her knees, Tamra pulled her in tight until she yelped. “How is this possible? How are you here? Are you all right?” Releasing her, Tamra examined her daughter’s face, body, whole self. She’s here!
Then Tamra noticed Yorbel standing behind her with a big, wonderful, goofy smile on his face. “I arranged a transfer. Until the end of the race season, she’ll train at the temple in the Heart of Becar.”
Tamra, who never cried, felt tears pouring down her face. “Thank you. You are a good man.” She held Shalla close as, down on the track, Raia raced first across the finish line.
After the race, Raia dumped the lion’s dinner into his dish and then flopped down on the ground next to his cage. She knew she should drag herself to her cot and catch a few hours of sleep—and as soon as Trainer Verlas noticed her lying here, she knew her trainer