“How much time do I have, Grandmother?” Maia asked.
Sabine did not need to ask what she meant. “Not long,” she whispered. She took Maia’s hands again, kneading the knuckles with her thumbs. “In a few months, your kingdom will be plunged into war. The Victus will try to unite all the others against you. Pry-Ree will help defend you. Trust that. With Dahomey on your side as well, we have a chance. But if all the other kingdoms do join forces against us, we will fail. If we can persuade one more to join . . . just one, it may help tip the balance.” Her look was grim. “That is what the Victus fear. They have conspired to hold our kingdoms in subjugation. They do so with cunning and wealth. Breaking their grip on our necks will not come without bloodshed. I believe we have years of war ahead of us. You will not have much time to prepare, I am afraid. Even if the other kingdoms learn the truth about Assinica and the fate the Victus has planned for them, they may look only to protect themselves.”
Maia sighed deeply, and was about to speak, when the main door creaked open. Turning, she noticed Collier pausing in the archway, watching them. He had a grim look on his face. A restless look.
She reached out her hand to him, inviting him closer.
Breaking his pose, he rushed to her side as if physically drawn there. Suzenne squeezed Maia’s hand and rose to leave, making room for him.
“Good morning, Gideon.” Sabine smiled at him, but he did not return her smile.
“What is it?” Maia asked, staring into his troubled eyes.
He gave a little bow to Sabine. “I did not expect to find you here, High Seer. You returned from Assinica?”
She nodded. “I did. The refugees have come.”
“I will have ships brought to Muirwood if any would like to settle in Dahomey.”
“That is kind of you. Your kingdom is already constrained in land. Your people would not give it up willingly.”
“They will if I persuade them,” he replied. “I must return soon. It . . . presses on me.” He looked at Maia, his gaze dark and brooding. “I heard you were up all night.”
Maia sighed. “I cannot sleep here. But I will return to Muirwood and get some rest. I plan to offer Richard Syon the role we discussed, and I would like to spend some time with the Assinicans.”
“A wise choice,” Collier said. He fidgeted, which was unusual for him, and looked as if he felt uncomfortable in his own skin.
“What is it?” Maia asked again, reaching out to touch his arm.
“You are not safe here,” he whispered curtly. “And though it is not what I want, the Medium tells me to leave you.” His jaw clenched and he stared down at the floor for a moment. “I have Simon inspecting the palace. There are secret doors and hidden passageways throughout. I am surprised the walls themselves do not crumble.” Collier scratched his neck. “The tunnels even lead to your chambers, Maia. You are not safe anywhere in this place.”
Maia stared at him. “I do not think he intends to harm me,” she said softly, for she knew he spoke of the kishion.
He pursed his lips. “Oh, I agree. But what does he intend after you become queen? He has brought down his fair share of rulers in this kingdom.”
“You are shrewd to be concerned,” Sabine said softly, her eyes narrowing. “Maia, the tomes describe people such as the kishion. The records are full of warning. When men hire other men to kill for power, it grieves the Medium. It cannot abide murder, especially when it is done so deliberately. When murderers are permitted to operate within a kingdom, it will always bring a Blight. The tomes warn of this. It will not be easy to . . . evict him.”
Maia looked down at the ground. “I do not believe he is working for hire, Grandmother. And he has saved my life more than once. I doubt the Victus—or anyone else, for that matter—control him anymore.”
She stiffened. “What do you mean?” she asked apprehensively.
Maia looked at them both, feeling at once confused and anguished. “I think he . . . cares for me.”
The sun lowered across the horizon, drawing shadows across the pathway ahead as Maia and Collier walked hand in hand down the steps leading into the palace gardens. It was a place where she had sought refuge more than once in her life. Large pots full of flowers and Leerings of various sizes and designs brightened the grounds.
“I prefer Muirwood,” Collier said, squeezing her hand. “That place has many tender memories. I am afraid my memory of your castle will always be of me wishing that wall would collapse so I could be the one to rescue you. I have to admit I am still bitterly jealous that it was the kishion who saved you.” His frown clashed with a smile, and he shook his head. “I am struggling to cope with it.”