Nerissa pursed her lips briefly before speaking. “Yes, Kraeshian men are not as open to such a change, are they?
“I suppose I’ll find out if they are or not in time, but I’d much rather have prior knowledge of any uprising.”
“I will certainly do what I can.”
“Thank you.” Amara studied Nerissa, waiting for any reluctance, any flinch at what she’d asked for, but there was none. “I see why men like you, Nerissa. You’re very beautiful.”
“Thank you, your grace.” Nerissa raised her gaze to meet Amara’s. “Shall I pour you some wine?”
“Yes, please pour us both a cup.” Amara watched her do as she asked, while imagining the girl doing the same for Cleo and Magnus. “How many attendants did Cleo have?”
“In Auranos, several Limerian girls were assigned to her, but they weren’t to her liking. After I arrived, she needed no one else.”
“I’m sure. Tell me, is she in love with Prince Magnus? I would have thought no, given that he was her enemy not so long ago, but now I’m not so sure, given the direction of her recent speech.”
Nerissa handed Amara a goblet of wine and sat back down in her chair, sipping at her own glass. “Love? I’m not so sure. Attraction, surely. For all her innocent looks, I know the princess is an excellent manipulator.” She looked away. “I shouldn’t say such things.”
Amara touched her hand. “No, please. You must speak freely with me. Nothing you say will be held against you. All right?”
Nerissa nodded. “Yes, your grace.”
“Tell me, did the princess ever mention to you what she knew of the whereabouts of Lucia Damora? Have they been in contact at all since her elopement?”
Nerissa frowned. “All I know is that Princess Lucia ran off with her tutor, and it was quite the scandal. No one, to my knowledge, has seen her since—unless you believe the rumors.”
Amara lifted her gaze from her wine to the lovely girl’s face. “What rumors are those?”
“That the king has concealed the truth all these years—that his daughter is a witch. And there have been tales in recent days of a witch who’s been traveling across Mytica, killing anyone who stands in her way and burning down entire villages.”
Amara had also heard these rumors. “Do you think it’s Lucia?”
The girl shrugged. “More likely these are tall tales of villagers looking for ways to explain an errant spark from a fire lighting up their town. But, of course, I don’t know for sure.”
This girl had no useful information today, but Amara had enjoyed their talk. She reached forward and squeezed Nerissa’s hand. “Thank you for speaking with me. You have certainly proven your worth to me today, and I promise I won’t forget that.”
In one fluid motion that was as graceful as it was bold, Nerissa entwined her fingers with Amara’s. “I’m happy to help in any way you need me to, empress.”
Amara looked down at their joined hands with shock but didn’t pull away. The warmth from Nerissa’s skin sank into her own, and she realized how cold she’d been all morning.
“That is very good to know.” Amara paused, considering the lovely young woman before her with growing interest. “The days to come will be challenging, and it’s good to know I now have someone I can trust.”
“Yes, you do.”
Finally, and a bit reluctantly, Amara slid her hand away from Nerissa’s and placed it lightly on her goblet. “You may leave me now.”
Nerissa bowed her head. Amara watched her stand up gracefully and move slowly to the door. She paused and glanced over her shoulder. “I will be nearby if you need me. Whenever you need me.”
Without another word, the girl left the room.
Amara sat there for some time, considering the conversations she’d had with the intriguing Nerissa, as she finished the wine in her goblet.
Alone in her quarters for the first time all day, Amara stood and went to her wardrobe. She slipped her hand into the folds of her emerald-green gown and pulled from it the greatest treasure she’d ever possessed. Cradling it in both hands, she stared deeply into the aquamarine orb.
The water Kindred.
“An exact match for Cleo’s eyes,” she said, realizing this about the crystal’s brilliant blue hue for the first time. “How annoying.”
She watched the black, shadowy strand of pure water magic swirl within the orb.
“Does Lucia know how to release you?” she whispered to her prize. “Or are you nothing more than a rock, as disappointingly useless as you are tantalizing?”
Something warm brushed against her shoulders. She gripped the cool crystal and scanned the room, her brows drawing together.
“What was that?” she said aloud.
There it was again: a warm breeze sweeping by to caress her, this time from the opposite direction.
“Empress . . .”
Her heart rate quickened.