“You have many worries, Dhosha. I see them on your lovely face.”
“Do you blame me?”
“Not a bit. The fact that you approach your life and your decisions with thoughtfulness and care is what makes me know I’ve taught you well.”
“I wish all of it were easier.”
“Nothing worth having is easy, Dhosha,” her grandmother said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I went to see my apothecary earlier today.”
Amara stiffened. Neela spoke of a man with a great and secret talent for creating magical potions for her grandmother and, in the past, for her mother. “And?”
“He mentioned that another client from the palace paid him a visit, not so long ago.”
“Someone from the palace? Who?”
“Your brother. Ashur.”
Amara’s gaze widened. “But . . . I didn’t know Ashur even knew of your apothecary.”
“Nor did I.”
“What potion did he request?”
“I don’t know. He only mentioned Ashur’s visit in passing, when he asked after his well-being.”
“And you didn’t ask any further questions? Grandmother, I need to know.”
“Why? What difference does it make now?”
“If it makes no difference to you, then why did you bother to mention it to me?”
“I see now that I shouldn’t have.” Neela took Amara’s hand in hers. “Quiet your thoughts, Dhosha. You are strong and you will do what needs to be done. You’re close now. Closer than ever before.”
Amara let out a long, weary sigh, then nodded firmly. “Don’t worry about me, Madhosha. I know what I have to do.”
• • •
“Come sit next to me, Daughter.”
The emperor rose from his chair as Amara entered the solarium, a private room he used to entertain his most important guests.
She hadn’t known what to expect when he summoned her here, and she saw now that she wasn’t the only one he’d called upon. She was the last to arrive. King Gaius, Felix, Milo, and her brothers were already there.
Then it became clear. She’d been invited to be present to hear the emperor declare his decision.
She’d never been invited to such an important event before.
Had she somehow proven her worth to her father? That her political opinion mattered? He would do well to take her under his wing as an advisor; she would be far more helpful than both Elan and Dastan combined.
“Princess,” King Gaius said, standing as she took a seat. “You look beautiful today.”
“Thank you, your grace.” Why did men always find it necessary to comment on whether or not a woman’s exterior pleased them? She knew she was beautiful. No need to constantly restate it, as if doing so would earn one points in a game.
The king did look confident today. Did he honestly believe her father was about to agree to his overly ambitious terms?
Felix and Milo stood behind the king, their hands clasped behind their backs. Felix nodded at her, and their eyes met for a brief moment. He, on the other hand, did not look entirely confident today. Was that a shadow of worry sliding behind his dark eyes?
My pretty beast, she thought. Don’t fret. You’ve more than proven your worth to me.