"A rare combination...as you and I would both know," the Queen replied, and Herezah accepted the compliment even though it was said almost disdainfully.

"Indeed, Majesty. Ana has certainly captivated the Zar."

"And has she won through the stone heart of my son, or am I imagining things?"

Herezah caught her breath. "Queen Angeline, what could you mean by that?"

"I don't speak in riddles, Crown ValideI always say what I mean. And I know my Percherese is fluent enough. Let me say it like this: is my son in love with this girl?"

Herezah was momentarily speechless. She opened her mouth to say something and then closed it.

"Ah, my question is too direct, then? I wonder why it should offend."

"No, er, Majesty, I'm not offendedmore astonished that you would ask such a thing. This young woman is, after all, a Zaradine. My son's wife. My son's Absolute Favorite. To covet a Zar's wife, let alone the Zaradine, is treachery." Herezah spoke Ana's title with as much weight as she could.

"That's meaningless to me, Crown Validewe are but ignorant Galinseans." Angeline's last two words were loaded with irony. "I can't imagine why my son, who has not only snubbed his right to the Galinsean throne but has steadfastly ignored his realm, and furthermore allowed us to believe him lost to us for almost two decades, would suddenly rush across the desert to reach Romea."

Herezah's tone was icy when she replied. "He put Percheron before any personal prejudice, I imagine, Majesty."

"And does that not sound stupid to your own ears, Crown Valide?" the silver-haired Queen demanded.

Herezah actually gasped, stung by the woman's words. "Stupid? No, I do not consider him stupid, Queen Angeline. I consider him only truthful. The fact that your crown prince chose Percheron as his realm over his own is something you should take up with him, not his adopted people. Here he has found only respect and affection. Lazar is revered by those who know him. He is loved."

"Yes, indeed. That's my very point, Crown Valide," the Queen replied, entirely unmoved by Herezah's admonishment. "My question is about love. Does he love this girl?"

This time the breath caught in her throat but Herezah fought the choking sensation and forced out an answer. "No, Queen Angeline, I do not believe so," she lied, wishing she could have faith in her words.

"Let me assure you that Lucien's veins may run with Galinsean blood, but his soul is Merlinean. And we Merlineans never forgive. Never. He would not have traveled toward Romea on any accountnot even for his adopted Percheron, I'd wagerunless, of course, this girl is very, very special. Lucien the young man was vulnerable through his heart. I have no reason to believe as an older man he would be any different."

Herezah had managed to recover sufficiently to answer with a firm tone. "To be honest, I have never seen any evidence in the near two decades I've known your son that he is vulnerable to anything or anyone. Lazar has no longtime partners and is not engaged in any meaningful relationship, to my knowledge. He belongs to no one. He is an island. As for Ana...well, Ana is certainly special to the Percherese Crown, Majesty. She carries my grandson in her womb. She carries an heir to the throne of Percheron and if I read my son correctly, I would say she carries the next Zar in her belly. Lazar knew what was at stake for all of us and I believe he felt some guilt, you might say, for being the cause of potential trouble between our realms. And he alone knew how to get us to Romea the fastest way across the desert."

"Us?" the Queen asked, seemingly ignoring Herezah's impassioned speech.

"I was on that journey, Your Majesty. I was set upon by the impostor that our two sons now hunt. I am a mother to a king," she said, deliberately stripping her voice of any rancor. "And you are the mother to a king-in-waiting, whether or not he renounces his throne. Your son is royal. We are both creatures of the same clothalthough we wear it differently."

Angeline actually laughed. "Golesh!" she said, and at Herezah's frown, she translated. "It means congratulations, Crown Valide, or, more to the matter, that you have scored your point. It is a compliment I give you, although royal sons or not, you are not a queen but, more accurately, a king's mother."

Herezah took a moment to calm her fury but refused to be baited. Either this woman was deliberately trying to provoke her or Angeline was simply too impressed with her own power, her own status, to care how she sounded or whom she offended. Herezah glanced toward Salmeo and nodded. "Can I offer you a cool drink, Highness? I have our finest sweet wine on board."

"That would be acceptable," the Queen replied, nodding once.

"Thank you, Salmeo," Herezah uttered softly through near-gritted teeth.

"And so," Angeline began, picking up the threads of their original conversation, "my son is in good health, you say?"

"As I began to explain, he suffered after the desert trip. An old illness brought about by a poisoning attempt sometime before."

The woman's eyebrows arched. "And I understood from Lucien's friend Jumo that this threat likely came from within the palace."

"The man who confessed was duly executed hours after he admitted to the attempt on Lazar's life. Fortunately your son is strong, both mentally and physically. And with good care he returned to health. Unfortunately, the debilitating poison remains in his body, it seems, and can still affect him. His exertions in the desert made him weak. But we have nursed him back to good health and I am confident he will remain well."

"And so I hear he chose to save you over the Zaradine. Is that not odd?"

"Why, Majesty?"

"Well, she is the Zar's wife. She carries his heir. Presumably, she is more important than a mere Valide."

They had been making small headway but now Herezah openly bristled. "I'm not sure you fully comprehend how the Percherese hierarchy works, Majesty. The Zar takes many wivesdozens, if he chooses tobut he has only one Valide. She is precious for her singularity." Herezah worked hard to keep any smugness from her face.

"And how many wives does your son have, Valide?"

It was not lost on Herezah that the Queen had just dropped the royal part of her title. She fumed inwardly, though outwardly she held herself upright and kept her expression bland. Joreb's voice rang in her mind, urging her to remain steady, to not allow her personal feelings to sway her ability to broker a peace. Her voice was mercifully steady when it came. "One."

"Just the one?" The Queen shrugged. "So, in fact, Zaradine Ana had no rival and thus holds equal importance to the mother of the Zar, both of you being singular in your respective roles."

Herezah blinked slowly. "I suppose you could view it that way."

"And the fact that she carries an heirthe next Zar, in factin her belly possibly gives her just a little more importance...a little more weight to her status?"

"I don't"

The Queen made a noise of disdain as though she had tired of the point. "It is irrelevant anyway, Valide. Lucien chose to save you for his own reasons and you have nursed him back to health and now he's making amends for saving you over the Zaradine and is out in the Empty somewhere hunting down the impostor."

"That is right, Majesty."

The Queen shrugged lightly again. "Then we are on the same side. I cannot condone the behavior of this Arafanz simply because Galinsea and Percheron have a traditional enmity. The fact is, we are both royal families and we cannot let some upstart renegade threaten either realm. In this we must stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder. If we can help with his destruction, we will."

Herezah felt her churning insides go still with relief. This offer of working together was a revelation given their realms' long and bitter history. Her hopes soared. She even gave a tentative smile. "Our thoughts precisely, Majesty. I trust you'll forgive that your son is not here to present himself to you, to prove that he remains in Percheron of his own free will. I don't want you to think that the Crown of Percheron ordered his death. Far from it. Zar Boaz loves Lazar as a brother."

"Where is Jumo?"

"He is dead, Highness. He died in the desert."

"Ah, pity. It never sat comfortably with me that we feigned an inability to speak Percherese. We made it very difficult for him to make himself understood. It bought us time, however, to send our emissaries to find out just what had happened in Percheron."

"Yes, Masters Lorto and Belzo."

"Indeed. Neither actually spoke much Percherese, as I'm sure you discovered. But it gave us all the time we needed. What Jumo never did explain, however, was why my son was being flogged at the behest of the Zar, whom you claim considers himself a brother to Lucien."

Herezah felt the snakes inside her stomach twitch again. She didn't want to have to explain to the queen that once again Lazar's decision had been connected to Ana. Her mind raced as to what else she might say but she knew she was ensnared in her own webshe could not risk dishonesty at this delicate stage. She took a moment to gather herself as Salmeo unobtrusively laid out two golden goblets, dripping with the icy water that had been used to chill the wine. He withdrew silently, just a waft of violets reminding Herezah that he was even present.

"Perhaps Master Luto would care to sip your wine first, Majesty?" Herezah knew it was the courteous offer to make, whether the Galinsean Queen felt herself threat-free or not.

"That won't be necessary," Angeline replied. She reached forward but surprised Herezah by picking up the goblet that Salmeo had placed before the Crown Valide. "This is a much better test," she said, smiling humorlessly before sipping. "Your turn, Valide. You may now drink from the other goblet."

"Pardon me, Crown Valide," Salmeo suddenly said softly in the pidgin Percherese of the harem, one of the oldest languages of the realm and known only to the members of the harem.

"Yes?" Herezah said, her tone brittle, irritated to be interrupted by the eunuch at such a fragile juncture.

"One of the Elim has just gestured to me from the riverbank. It looks urgent. I'd better find out what it is. They wouldn't interrupt us unless it was very important."

She couldn't see the Elim he spoke of, of course, but they were meant to be hidden, so she agreed. She couldn't imagine what could force the Elim to butt into these delicate negotiations, though. Perhaps word from Boaz? "Hurry," she said, frowning.

"Is something wrong?" Angeline inquired.

"Forgive us, Majesty. Salmeo speaks only the harem language," Herezah lied. "He has been called ashore. We believe it may be an urgent message from the Zar or perhaps your son. My apologies. As you can see, Salmeo is already hurrying across the riverbank." Herezah followed the Queen's gaze and was impressed as well as puzzled to see the speed at which Salmeo was moving his immense bulk away from them toward the palace.

"Hmm. And leaves you alone. Do you feel vulnerable, Crown Valide, or does this riverbank possess many dozens of eyes that make you feel safe?"

"I'm sure neither of us came to this meeting today with anything other than peace on our minds, Highness. Whoever may be watching us will not risk that potential peace. I have no idea who may be hiding, but like your people, I imagine the palace has organized a close watch. I'm sure you expected as much?"

"I'm sure I did," Angeline said, sipping her wine again. "This is an interesting wine, perhaps a little bitter in its aftertaste."

"Bitter?" Herezah frowned. "It is my favorite," she added, a little surprised, and took a large sip. She recalled expressly asking Salmeo to water her drink, and if anything, her wine was especially luscious and rich, which meant that even watered down the Queen's wine should be delicious. The Galinseans must drink pure syrup if Queen Angeline found the sweetness to be lacking.

"Of no matter. It is nicely chilled and I am enjoying it on this warm day," the Queen replied, sipping again.

"Queen Angeline," Herezah began in earnest now, placing her goblet back on the table between them, "may we discuss the Galinsean fleet's presence so close to Percheron. It is our understanding that the fleet is here because you might have believed us insincere in our intention to send our own emissary as arranged."

Angeline said nothing. She drained the contents of the goblet as though indifferent to anything the Crown Valide had said.

Nevertheless, Herezah took her silence to be an agreement. She continued: "I hope that Lazar's letter to you explained the full extent of our trauma in the desert and why the journey to present ourselves had to be aborted? Not only was our entire Elim guard massacred but the Zaradinethe very emissary you awaitedwas abducted by this madman." She noticed Angeline flinch and look away from her, which seemed odd. Herezah glanced briefly at Luto, who had not seemed to notice anything strange, and was giving Herezah his full scrutiny. She refused to let it threaten her. "Zar Boaz is determined to cooperate with you in any way that he can. We are not a warlike people; we have no wish to engage in any conflict with our neighbors. With your son alive and clearly in Percheron because he chooses to be, Majesty, I'm charged by the Crown to ask you how we can appease any offense that might have been mistakenly given by Lazar's manservant Jumo. At the time he told you of Lazar's death, Jumo was not fully informed of all the circumstances. The secrecy surrounding Lazar's survival from the poisoning was for his own protection and was masterminded by a priestess of Lyana's sisterhood. She feared for his life, understandably, and took it upon herself to secret him away to an island where she kept him until he healedseemingly against his own knowledge for he was too frail, his mind too befuddled by the poison, for her to let anyone know that he lived. She saved his life, of this we are sure, but her secrecy has endangered all of us. From the Zar down to the lowliest palace servant, Majesty, we all believed Lazar dead and grieved over it. I fully comprehend your wrath. As a parentespecially as a motherI can understand your need to avenge what must have sounded like a senseless death. But now that we've..." Herezah trailed off, shocked, as the Queen suddenly began to moan, struggling for breath in great groaning gasps.

Luto was at her side in a blink. "Angeline!" he cried. "What occurs, my love?" The granitelike expression on his face was gone. Suddenly he was all tenderness and concern.

Herezah was shocked that the Galinsean guard spoke to his queen with such familiarity. She realized instantly that queen and servant were lovers; suddenly the lofty Angeline was not as superior as she behaved but prone to the same base instincts of any mere mortal. But there was no time to dwell on this. Herezah could see the Queen was in desperate trouble. Angeline had begun grasping at the fabric of her robe in an attempt to pull away her clothes, vainly believing it would bring more air into her lungs. Her eyes stared wildly, bulging, begging her lover to help her.

"What is happening?" Herezah whispered, kneeling at the Queen's side opposite Luto and trying to calm Angeline. But to no avail. The Queen began to thrash uncontrollably as her lips turned blue. Spittle escaped those lips and ran freely down her perfect chin. The once immaculate hair looked as though it belonged to a crazed woman, falling around her ears in wild, sweaty strands.

Herezah could see they were losing her. She must be choking but she had eaten nothing. In her helplessness, Herezah stood up and screamed for the Elim. In seconds men came running from all directions, but by the time the first man had leaped aboard the barge, she could see the light dying from those once intensely gray eyes, now glassy with fright and bloodshot from her exertions.

Herezah noticed the white-knuckled grip of the Queen's manicured hand around Luto's great fists, and as a tear leaked from Angeline's eyesthe only way, it seemed, that she could communicate a farewell to her belovedshe watched the fight for life go out of the woman. Angeline gave one last mighty gasping spasm and died before them, her legs kicked out at an odd angle, her body slumped backward, the sightless eyes staring upward.

"Zarab save us!" Herezah exclaimed, distraught at what she'd witnessed.

Several moments of frigid silence ensued before Luto finally moved. He gravely unwrapped the Queen's fingers from his own and kissed her hand gently as he tenderly closed her eyes and placed her limp hand in her lap. Then he stood and faced the Crown Valide. "Calling on Zarab is pointless, woman. Your aimless god will not save you or your people from our wrath, slave," he said imperiously in Percherese.

Slave? Herezah felt herself repeat it silently, mouthing the word as if testing it.

"I would slay you here and now if you were worthy. But never let it be said that a Galinsean king cut down an unarmed woman, a Percherese whore at that."

"King?" Herezah stammered. "But" Her mind felt addled by all the shocks.

"I am King Falza. I wish you and the slave son you bore, who dares to call himself royal, dead."

A unanimous ringing sound was heard on the barge and along the riverbank as two dozen Elim drew their vicious, curved blades.

Herezah looked around wildly. This was not how the meeting was supposed to go. This was not how her daydream had unfolded. "Wait!" she commanded the Elim, turning in full circle so all could hear her. "Stay your weapons." Herezah moved to face Luto again. "You are truly King Falza?"

"Do you doubt it?"

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to."

"She...Queen Angeline called you Luto."

"A private pet name."

"I need proof."

"You demand nothing of me, whore. That I grant you life alone to breathe before me is a wonder to me. You have slain my queen."

"I did no such thing!" Herezah whispered, terrified for her life now. "Why would I? What in Zarab's name could I gain from it?"

"Then why? How is she dead?"

Herezah held her face in her hands. "I don't know, I don't...was she ailing?"

"Did she look unwell to you?"

Herezah shook her head. "She looked magnificent; she looked to be at the very peak of health," she answered dolefully as her mind raced to achieve some comprehension of what was unfolding here. "All she has drunk is some wine."

"You offered me a sip, slut! You tried to kill me!"

Herezah believed she was addressing the much-feared King Falza of Galinsea. "King Falza, as far as I knew, you were Luto the faithful servant. I offered you a taste of the Queen's wine in an honest demonstration that I meant her no harm. I wanted to prove to her that we wished only to broker a peace. She ate nothing, drank only her wine..." Again Herezah's voice trailed off as she tried desperately to make sense of the situation. "King Falza, if I wanted you dead, I could order my Elim right now to dispatch you. I could have done that to the Queen at any time," she said, building her argument as she went along. The truth was, she didn't believe the Elim had ever meant to show themselves, nor could she command them to kill.

"You barely touched your wine. Did you even sip it?"

There was nothing for it. She grabbed her wine and inelegantly drank the entire contents of her goblet, the ruby liquid spilling down the side of her mouth and staining the bright cream silk of her gown. Herezah slammed the vessel down, not bothering to wipe her mouth. Her heart pounded as she frantically awaited any telltale signs of poisoning. "There, King Falza," she said, her chest heaving with the effort of controlling her fright. "Have you already forgotten that Queen Angeline chose the cup she drank from? She deliberately took my goblet and left hers for me to sip from." And as the words were spoken, realization hit as hard as if someone had stepped up behind her and clubbed her with something hard and blunt.

The same dawning comprehension had hit Falza. He stared at her now, his eyes glittering with hatred. "It was meant for you, slave!" he hissed. "Your own servant was trying to poison you! He didn't imagine that my Angeline would be cunning enough to switch goblets."

Herezah felt the blood drain from her face. Salmeo had meant to kill her today. He had served her a cup of poison and had been prepared to stand by and watch her die.

"That's why he ran away," she whispered. "There was no urgent message. He knew she was going to die." Herezah felt as though her head were going to explode with rage. Instead she took three steps to the side of the barge and hurled up the contents of what little was in her stomach, hot acid burning her throat, anchoring her in the reality of what had just taken place. She retched again but it was a dry heave and she used the sleeve of her gown to shakily dab at her mouth, uncaring of the mess on her silks. Straightening slowly, the silence around her deafening, Herezah turned to once again confront the Queen's body.

"Lay her out," she whispered. The most senior Elim glanced at her, uncomprehending. "Lay her out, Zarab strike you! Don't let her stiffen in that position," she shrieked as the the tears came. Not a trickle but a flood of despair and grief, years of anguish over her helplessness in the harem, her fear for Boaz, her intrigues to keep them both alive, to help them achieve her dream of becoming Zar and Valide. Tears flowed for her hopeless obsession with Lazar, and over Ana, who had stolen both his heart and that of her son within a moon of meeting both, whilst she had struggled for years to win even their respect. And tears ran in chest-racking gasps for Queen Angeline, whom she had despised within just a few heartbeats of meeting but who, she now realized, was going to bring the realm of Percheron to its knees with her untimely death.

And behind it allbehind so much of her painno, all of it, for he had personally bought her from the market when she was just a few summers old and set her destiny as a whore slavewas Salmeo.

"You really had nothing to do with this, did you?"

Herezah realized she was on her knees, next to the prone corpse of Queen Angeline, holding the dead woman's hand. King Falza was now crouching beside her, speaking to her in a new tone, one laced with disbelief. She looked him directly in his green eyes and for one of the rare times in her life wanted to be entirely honest. She didn't care what happened anymore. Her life was now forfeit.

"You had no idea about this," he added, searching her tearstained face.

Herezah could only shake her head dumbly. "Kill me, Your Highness. Take one of these blades and strike me down. Pour all your rage into the blow, but use me. It is all I am good for now. Zar Boaz wanted only peace and I was arrogant enough to believe I could broker it for him, little realizing the enemy was not the Galinseans but a snake in our own courtyard. I beg you to forgive the Percherese. They are innocent of the Queen's blood."