He thought carefully before replying. “Yes. You’re Lady Polaire from House Hawkweed. I’ve seen you and Lady Altaecia of House Yarrow around here often.”
“You’re observant, which is a plus. And from the way you’re toying with that dagger you’ve got hidden up your sleeve, protective, which is even better. You’ve obviously done your research on us, so your brains haven’t deteriorated since dying, which is something to be thankful for. If I had a shekel for every corpse who’d literally allowed their heads to rot… Today is Tea’s khahar-de. Later tonight, I want you to join the procession heading for the Dawnbreak. I know you’ll do that anyway, but this time, I want you walking with us out in the open instead of stealthily as you often do.” She grinned at the faint start he made. “See? I can do my research too.”
“And what do you intend to accomplish with this?”
“Dark asha may not be looked on with disfavor in Ankyo when compared to other kingdoms, but they are nonetheless treated differently, even inside the Willows.” Polaire’s heartsglass blazed brightly, not with anger but with faint disgust. “Many view people like you and Mykkie as a necessary if unwanted means to an end, a way to take credit for keeping the lands secure from daeva while distancing themselves from the hatred the commons have for them. Dark asha never stay in the spotlight long enough to enjoy the adulation they deserve, and I mean to change that with your sister. I’ve seen Mykkie wither and age under the heavy burden of her responsibilities, Tea. I will not see you follow the same path. And I’m sure neither will your brother. Mistress Parmina might be against it now, but if I put it in a different, more financially rewarding light, I’m sure she can be persuaded to relax her rules. What do you say, Sir Fox? Do you want to officially be part of the Valerian?”
Fox considered it. A slow smile spread across his face. “It beats having to skulk about, with the old woman pretending I’m no better than shadows on the ground,” he said. “And I say this as one without a shadow.”
“There’s something I want you to know,” I began hesitantly, addressing Polaire.
“What is it?”
But already I felt ridiculous. I had thought to tell her of the strange figure I’d seen flitting around the Willows, the shadow at the Falling Leaf and at Chesh’s, but I couldn’t manage the words.
Oh, it’s nothing.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said.
? ? ?
Khahar-de is considered a private affair between a young novice and her sisters. Only the most important people in her life are invited, which is apparently more than even I had thought. I had shyly asked if Kana, Farhi, and Likh could come along. Farhi turned down my invitation, as I had expected. Kana and Likh both accepted eagerly.
Cha-khanas’ most distinguishing feature are their gardens, and the Dawnbreak’s most arresting character was its miniature, interconnected waterfalls that flowed down into the center of the enclosure. Master Anoush was already waiting in the Dawnbreak’s biggest guest room. My three soon-to-be sisters sat among the cushions in a half circle around a low table, which held a flagon of runeberry wine and four simple, ceramic bowls to drink. The others took up seats against the adjoining wall. I don’t know what Polaire had told Mistress Parmina to allow her to include Fox, but it worked, though the old woman still ignored him.
“Where is she?” Polaire complained. “Did our fourth sister back out so soon?”
“She will come.” Mistress Parmina made it sound like an ultimatum.
The door to the room slid back. Zoya stood there, not looking happy at all.
Neither was I. “What’s she doing here?” I whispered to Lady Mykaela in a near panic.
“She’s going to be your sister, Tea.”
“I don’t want her to!”
“What’s done is done, Tea,” Mistress Parmina said sharply. “I would expect more courtesy from a novice of the Valerian.”
I swallowed hard but kept my silence. Zoya sank into the empty spot beside the old woman. “If it makes you feel any better,” she hissed under her breath, low enough for me to hear, “I would rather scald myself with hot water than be here, had I a choice.”
It was an awkward session. A generous amount of runeberry wine was poured into each of our bowls, which we sipped from time to time. The whole purpose of this ritual was for my new sisters and I get to know each other and for me to listen to any advice they doled out. Polaire took up most of the conversation, chattering cheerfully away, with Lady Mykaela and Althy chiming in. Rahim was never the type to stay quiet for long, and soon he was regaling us with tales of his home in Tresea. Zoya refused to talk, more interested in her bowl than in any of us. When Lady Shadi rose to her feet though, Zoya’s head snapped forward in the pretty asha’s direction.
“I’ve stayed for as long as I’m able to,” the pretty asha said regretfully. “Sir Ballard and his family requested for me at the Green Bough.”
“That’s all right then.” Not even a khahar-de could interfere with Mistress Parmina’s desire for money. “You go ahead and tell Chester Ballard that I send him greetings.”
“Yes, Mother. I’ll see you all back home. Congratulations again, Tea.” Lady Shadi left amid a chorus of good-byes.
Zoya watched her leave, then reached for her bowl, drained her wine, and set it back down with a noisy thump. “Well then,” she said with a small snort, “let’s get this over with. What exactly is the kind of advice you seek from your betters, novice?”
“It would be best to teach them how not to get into trouble, Zoya.” Mistress Parmina may have chosen her to be my sister, but Polaire was just as much opposed to it as I was.
“Did she not benefit from our little accident at the Falling Leaf? And I’ve heard stories of you as a novice, Lady Polaire. You are the last person to tell me to stay out of trouble.” Zoya looked at me and smirked. “It looks like I am saddled with you, novice. What other mischief shall we get into, hmm?”
“Surely not the mischief you had planned when you summoned Tea to the Falling Leaf when her novitiate had yet to begin,” Althy murmured.
“Has the little girl been telling lies so early into her apprenticeship? I summoned no one to the Falling Leaf that night. If she chooses to sneak out and explore the Willows on her own time, it would not do to have her blaming others for her trouble. And imagine—in no time at all, you shall take Lady Mykaela’s place, putting daeva back into the ground, sapping away inches of your life with every summon!”
“Zoya,” Mistress Parmina said, and the girl shut up. For the rest of the evening, she sulked, nursing her wine, and stared at Lady Shadi’s empty seat.