by Raia. The three were inseparable these days, which Lady Evara approved of. The emperor’s enemies would think twice if he was perpetually protected by a vicious monster.
With a flourish, Lady Evara bowed. “Your Excellence, how may I serve you?”
“You are already serving your empire, Lady Evara,” Emperor Dar said.
He did not seem displeased. In fact, he was smiling. Perhaps this wasn’t going to be a disaster? It would be lovely not to be forced to leave the Heart of Becar in disgrace and poverty. “Always,” Lady Evara said smoothly. “Your coronation was a joy and blessing to all.”
“Your efforts to ensure that have not gone unnoticed,” Emperor Dar said, and then he wrinkled his nose. To Raia he said, “Am I sounding appropriately pompous? I feel like I’m overdoing it.”
Raia laughed. “You’re doing great.”
Lady Evara noticed how relaxed they were and began to hope. If he was going to send her away, he would be more serious, wouldn’t he? “May I ask why you have summoned me, Your Excellence?”
“I’d like you to keep doing what you’re doing,” Emperor Dar said.
“Oh?” That sounded promising, though she wasn’t exactly sure what he was referring to. Keep doing what? she wondered. The threat to the kehok had been removed, and she’d neutralized Lord Petalo.
“My brother had friends among the court. . . .” The emperor laid his hand on the lion’s metal mane. “Friends who smoothed the way for him. They’d put in a good word for policies he wanted to be supported. And they’d watch the temperature of the court.”
“You want me to keep spying for you,” Lady Evara clarified.
“Precisely.”
Lady Evara felt like dancing a little victory lap, but she kept her expression smooth as if she were considering it. “My affairs in Peron have been calling to me. I was intending to return home. . . . My finances have suffered a blow since my time away.” She hoped that was a subtle enough hint. If not, she’d be more blunt.
“You will be compensated,” Emperor Dar said. Music to my ears, Lady Evara thought. “I need allies, Lady Evara. Every new emperor does. Will you be my ally in the court?”
“Yes, Your Excellence,” Lady Evara said with another bow. “I would be honored.”
“Splendid. Then let’s begin now. What have you learned?”
She dove into relating her conversation with Lord Petalo, excluding the unflattering bits, but including everything he’d said about Lady Nori.
That seemed to sadden him. “I suppose I never did see her true soul.”
She also told how Lord Petalo was altering the story to paint her as a heroine. “I am your loyal spy,” she told the emperor. “But I’m not a heroine. If you wish, I could correct the record. . . .”
She hoped he’d say no, and to her relief, he did. “It’s useful to have you admired by the court. Leave it be. My concern, though, is whether you will be vulnerable to blackmail again.”
Quickly, Lady Evara weighed her options. He already knew about the attempted blackmail, so there was zero point in trying to deny it. She should have suspected he’d ask. For all she knew, he’d already investigated and this was some kind of test. “It relates to my parents.”
Raia spoke up. “You already have my sympathy.”
She flashed the girl a grateful smile, and then she launched into the messy tale. The will, the failed readings, the humiliation. As she talked, the kehok watched her with his golden eyes, which oddly enough made her feel better.
Maybe she wasn’t worthy enough of her inheritance. But she had done some good here.
When she finished, she noticed a river hawk had settled on a branch above Prince Dar. It was the only bird anywhere in the vicinity of the lion.
“Thank you for trusting me with your secret,” Prince Dar said gravely.
It wasn’t as if she’d had much choice.
“Do I still have the position?” Her voice was stiff as she asked, but mercifully didn’t crack.
“Of course.”
Lady Evara inclined her head in gratitude. Inside she cheered.
“You should have an augur read you now,” Raia said. “Maybe this time it will have a different result.”
Prince Dar held up his hand. “You could. But consider: you have already proven yourself to me and to all of Becar. Perhaps it isn’t necessary.”
Lady Evara mulled over his words. He’s right, she thought. With a promise of a position at the palace, she didn’t need her inheritance. Given that, why submit to a reading? So she could secure her late parents’ approval? She didn’t need