Bayan watched as a woman slowly examined each of the cells before her. The only light in the subterranean chamber came from a wide opening, high up in the common room, barred with several iron spikes. It wasn’t as though anyone could reach it without a ladder or similar tool, but Bayan supposed that if it were open, unwanted visitors from outside might attempt to sneak in and reach the heart of the kingdom through the winding corridors. Yet, even if they managed to get in, avoid the warden, and unlock the heavy door—whose key only she possessed—they’d likely become hopelessly lost in the labyrinthine passages. Some led to the library, where guards stood vigilant; others wound their way to the main royal corridor; and still others looped back to the courtyard from which the intruders had likely entered. Bayan knew these corridors well, having run through them more times than he could count, perhaps even more often than Selene herself. He had known Uma since childhood.

  Uma stood tall, gripping her spear, clad in a brown robe, the only garment she owned that wasn’t patched. Her waist was cinched by a belt that highlighted her slender frame. Her red hair cascaded down to her waist, her pride and joy. Her chin was sharp, and her nose even sharper—not the most beautiful woman in Meihar, which was why she preferred the dim confines of the dungeons, where she could gaze upon those far less attractive than she.

  “Hey, filthy woman!” A voice rang out from the first cell, a woman’s voice. Uma ignored her. Bayan was two cells away.

  “Filthy, filthy, filthy,” the woman taunted again.

  Uma stepped closer and brandished her spear through the air. The woman laughed loudly. Uma stepped back, leaving her be.

  “Filthy wretch, night is falling,” the woman continued, gripping the iron bars with both hands. “You said only one day. Only one day,” she growled, shaking the cell’s bars.

  Bayan looked up at the opening high above. Indeed, the light was fading.

  “I am Ora, Ora…” sang the black-haired woman locked in the next cell.

  Uma took another step toward her, but once more, only laughter followed. Bayan knew Ora well. Black-haired Ora was infamous throughout the kingdom. She would wander the capital streets all night and by morning, attempt to steal something or pretend to beg at the royal gates. Her day often ended in the same way—in a cell, where she’d be brought cold soup and stale bread twice a day. Most of the guards joked about her, calling her their mascot. But not Uma. Uma despised her. If it were up to her, she’d drive her spear between the bars to find Ora’s heart, but such an act wouldn’t please the queen. Uma was a frequent topic of conversation in the servants’ quarters, and amid the jesting, someone was always concocting a story about her. There was a place for Uma in those tales, but she never visited the servants’ quarters. She preferred the solitude of the dungeons, guarding the cells and dealing with the likes of Ora. She adored the queen and spoke only of her.

  “Ora, Ora, Ora…” the madwoman continued.

  Uma planted herself in the center of the room, equidistant from all the cells, covered her ears with her hands, and screamed. The black-haired woman kept singing. Uma uncovered her ears, gripped her spear with both hands, and began dragging it across the bars, creating a loud, grating noise. The sound irritated Ora, who tried to out-shout the clanging metal, but even that proved difficult. Eventually, Uma tired of the game and stepped back. Ora’s laughter had ceased, and she now stared wide-eyed from the back of her cell, before starting to laugh once more.

  Uma approached the second cell, the one between Ora’s and Bayan’s. The cell was wide open and empty. Bayan couldn’t see her or hear her, but he assumed she wanted to be alone. Uma wasn’t fond of people, and when something upset her, she withdrew into herself, which was why she seldom left this place.

  The heavy door of the dungeon rattled with blows from the other side.

  “Food, food!” Ora began to hop about.

  Uma stepped out of the second cell, spear pointed ahead, reached the door, and opened it. A kitchen maid stood outside, someone Bayan recognized—one of the women who worked with his mother.

  “Their food.”

  The maid tried to peer inside, but Uma blocked her view, taking the tray from her hands and slamming the door in her face. Uma carried one of the bowls to the black-haired woman, who snatched it eagerly and devoured its contents so quickly that Uma hadn’t even handed her the crust of bread that accompanied it. She tossed the bread at Ora, who caught it in her lap and laughed with her mouth full. Uma grimaced and retreated.

  The other bowl was meant for Bayan. She turned toward him and froze, her gaze fixed on him as if embarrassed. Bayan smiled, but that only seemed to fluster her more, so he stepped back and sat on the wooden bench in his cell.

  A moment later, Uma approached.

  “Don’t you recognize me?” he asked.

  “B-Bayan. I recognized you, but…” Uma turned her head away. “I’m not supposed to speak with you.”

  “But you spoke with Ora.”

  “Yes, but Ora isn’t… isn’t a boy.”

  Bayan took the tray from her hands. Her fingers were cold. She felt the contact and quickly withdrew them, then stood.

  “Man, man, man!” Ora yelled from across the dungeon. “Uma’s got a man!” she jeered, jumping up and down. Uma spun around and, almost at a run, slammed her spear against the bars of Ora’s cell as Ora retreated into laughter.

  Uma returned to the empty cell. Bayan hadn’t started eating. His head ached, and even the slightest movement caused a throbbing pain that left him dizzy. His ribs hurt too. The two guards had given him a thorough beating. The last thing he remembered was lying in the mud. Then he must have passed out, waking only briefly as they dragged him here. He hadn’t thought of Jasmine then. It wasn’t until now that she came to mind.

  Uma had returned to the empty cell, while Ora sang something unintelligible. Bayan had no desire to listen. He couldn’t wait for night to fall and for Ora to be removed. But he preferred to leave before she did. He tried to stand, slowly. The pain in his ribs flared up again.

  There was a second knock at the door, this one softer and more tentative.

  “Oh, more friends?” Ora clutched the bars of her cell as she watched Uma approach the door. She began to jump and sing again.

  Uma exited the empty cell and cautiously approached the door. Bayan was curious about who had come. Visitors were rare, usually arriving only to deliver prisoners or food. Occasionally, Bayan had visited, driven by curiosity, but now he was on the wrong side of the great door.

  Uma opened it slowly, carefully. Bayan couldn’t see clearly, but he was sure it wasn’t the cooks or guards standing there. Before her stood a slender, beautiful girl, dressed in a white gown with dark hair. She was a vision of beauty, a rarity in this place. Then Bayan recognized her. It was Talia.

  “Oh?” Uma managed to utter.

  “Uma? You’re Uma, right?” Talia’s tone was courteous, even with her.

  “Yes.”

  “Hello, Uma. May I come in?”

  Talia’s politeness was a masterstroke. She could have easily commanded her way in, yet she chose to ask. Uma wasn’t even on the level of the kitchen staff, let alone someone like Talia.

  “I’m Talia,” the girl introduced herself, detecting Uma’s uncertainty. “One of the queen’s ladies. May I come in?” Talia asked again, though she had every right to enter uninvited.

  Uma immediately stepped aside, opening the door wider. Talia entered, and the room seemed to brighten.

  “What a beauty!” Ora didn’t miss the opportunity. “A beauty, a beauty!”

  Ora was dancing again, if one could call it that, or perhaps just hopping about in her cell.

  Talia smiled, clasping her hands in front of her like a little girl shyly entering a room full of adults. She looked around at the cells, her gaze falling on Bayan, who caught the smile she directed at him. Talia moved toward him.

  “No, milady,” Uma tried to stop her. “You can’t. Please.”

  Talia turned to her with a smile. Her expression made her even more beautiful. Uma approached Talia and gently took her hand, trying to protect her, but Talia misunderstood. The sweet girl looked at her with a gaze that was no longer so kind and innocent. Uma immediately let go and stepped back. The smile returned to Talia’s face.

  “Bayan?” she said. “Bayan, it’s me, Talia. I’ve come to get you out.”

  “A-alright,” Bayan was surprised.

  “No, madam. The guards said he must stay here,” Uma attempted to intervene.

  “Uma, do you want Queen Selene to come down here herself to get him out?” Talia asked.

  “No.” Bayan could see that Uma had no desire for that. He could tell by the way she stepped back.

  “Neither do I. So, let’s finish what she sent me to do.” Talia reached for her hand, but Uma didn’t realize and stood frozen.

  “Come, Uma. I’ll tell the queen you did well,” Talia coaxed.

  “Let the boy go, you fiends!” Ora shouted from behind them. No one paid her any attention.

  Uma pulled out the keys, counting them one by one until she found the right one. She slid it into the lock, turned it, and it clicked open.

  Talia entered the cell. Bayan was right.

  “What got into you, Bayan?” she asked. “Why were you following us?”

  Bayan glanced at Uma, then back at Talia, his expression one of confusion, as though he didn’t know where he was.

  “I needed to speak with you, Talia. But something happened. I don’t remember much. I saw you and wanted to come, but the guards stopped me. I climbed the stone wall, and then… I woke up here. With Uma.”

  Uma blushed and turned away.

  "You can tell me more later," Talia said as she took Bayan’s hand, guiding him through the center of the dungeon. Uma made no move to stop them. The door closed behind them, leaving Uma alone with Ora, as usual.

  They walked through the dark, long corridors. The dungeon receded into the distance, with only Ora’s voice echoing faintly behind them. Bayan thought of Jasmine. Could he now see her face?

  “You need to hide. The people from Volkar are here.”

  “Now?”

  “Any moment now, they’ll enter the hall where Selene is. I used the commotion to get to you. I’ve been trying for so long.”

  “What if they find out you let me out?”

  “Leave that to me. I don’t think it’ll be a problem. I need you to go straight to the servants’ quarters from here. Do you hear me?” Bayan nodded. “And don’t come out until King Severin leaves. Do you hear me, Bayan?”

  Bayan nodded again and stopped in his tracks.

  “What is it?”

  “May I kiss your hand?”

  “Bayan? You don’t need to…”

  “I insist.”

  She glanced around, then offered her hand, albeit shyly. Bayan had heard that this was how nobles thanked ladies, and so he did the same. He took her hand, bowed, and kissed it. She felt his kiss and quickly pulled her hand away.

  “From here, you’re on your own.”

  Then he watched her retreating back. He was content. It was all worth it. He held her bracelet in his hand.

  He didn’t wait long, nor did he have time to. He ascended the stairs behind Talia. When he reached the top, instead of heading to the servants’ quarters, he made for the library. Several guards called after him, but he didn’t stop. If the King of Volkar was indeed coming, they would be busy with him. They wouldn’t bother chasing Bayan.

  Two women approached, each carrying massive trays. Both were stout.

  “Watch it, boy!” one of them shouted at him. They were the kitchen maids, and what they carried smelled so delicious that it made his mouth water.

  He pressed against the wall to let them pass and heard their grumbling behind him. He silently thanked Jasmine for making him memorize everything. He could find the library with his eyes closed.

  After the second corridor, the guards were gone. They were all gathered in the grand hall where Selene spent her days. Outside, the sounds of voices and the sense of a crowd milling about were palpable. Somewhere, someone was singing.

  “You? Aren’t you supposed to be in the dungeon?”

  Roth stood before him, blocking the path to the library. He was dressed in his finest robe, or at least the cleanest.

  “They released me. A mistake.”

  “A mistake, huh…” Roth didn’t believe him but didn’t care. He just wanted to pass.

  “May I…”

  “No. Jasmine isn’t seeing anyone today. And everyone should be with Queen Selene.”

  “No one was seeing anyone yesterday either, but you lied to me.”

  Roth rolled his eyes and stepped aside. Bayan shoved open the door to the small room and barged in.

  “Rat?” Jasmine’s whispering voice asked.

  “No, it’s Bayan.”

  “Bayan? Rat told me…”

  He couldn’t see her, but he could hear her. Her voice was soft. He searched for her on the bed, but she wasn’t there. She was seated in her chair by the large wooden table against the wall.

  “Talia released me.”

  “Talia… Why?”

  “Because they detained me because of her. I thought you’d seen.”

  “No.” She didn’t turn to face him. She spoke with her back to him. “I couldn’t get in after that. Something was blocking me. There’s something in those dungeons.”

  “So you knew I was in the dungeon.”

  “They take everyone there. Why have you come? Rat said the next few days will be difficult even for him to visit. King Severin’s grand visit.”

  Bayan wasn’t listening. He simply handed her the bracelet.

  “A bracelet? Whose?” Her eyes widened. He was certain she already knew.

  “Talia’s.”

  The heavy footsteps outside hinted that people were beginning to gather. Severin would enter soon. She had only a little time left. The formalities outside would last just long enough for her to slip the ring with the eye onto one finger and Talia’s necklace onto the other.

  Bayan had left. The boy wanted to stay, but she wouldn’t allow it. It was dangerous for him to be around her when she was in these states. Yes, she often let him stay, but now wasn’t the time. And Bayan needed to be there, lingering nearby in case something happened. To be her legs, just as he had been her eyes.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  She had used the ring twice in the past two days. It had exhausted her. Just thinking about it filled her with disgust and hatred. She didn’t even want to touch it. The ring had a personality of its own. The moment she reached for it, it would seem to withdraw, vibrating strangely. Jasmine would throw it back onto the wooden table before her, and they would stare at each other. She hated it, and it hated her. But it needed to be used one more time.

  She managed to reach the bed and looked at it. The ring was troubling her again. It even seemed to have changed color.

  “I don’t like you either,” she said aloud. She felt slightly embarrassed talking to it, but the ring seemed to hear her. It vibrated slightly. When she lay down and relaxed, her body caught fire. Strangely, she had never felt this before. It was as if something was restraining her. Perhaps she was indeed overusing it.

  Outside, all became silent. Footsteps echoed through the corridors of the kingdom, somewhere above her chamber. They were already inside. She had to grasp the necklace and close her eyes. She did so. But nothing happened. She squeezed harder. Something burned her. She continued to squeeze despite the pain.

  Then she fell asleep and opened her eyes in the throne room, or the hall where Selene liked to hold court.

  Selene stood tall and poised like a true lady. Jasmine remembered their mother Lira’s lessons. She had taught Selene well. Talia stood at her left, and the red-haired Valerys stood on her right.

  Her sister hadn’t changed much over the years. Only her face had started to show a few rough edges, but otherwise, she was the same. Jasmine could see and feel everything that Talia did. Somehow, she had managed to sync with the ring this time. She felt joy, which almost pulled her out of the dream. She calmed herself and allowed the scene to unfold before her. She couldn’t see the third of Selene’s ladies—Ivora.

  The hall smelled of roast pork and wine. Jasmine hated pork, especially its smell. But she had to endure it. She couldn’t always taste or smell the body she inhabited, but this time, the connection was strong.

  Talia had placed both hands in her lap. Her gaze shifted between Selene and the guests. Jasmine caught a glimpse of Severin. He was exactly as she imagined him—large, with dirty, unruly hair and a strong frame that strained his armor. She remembered him as a younger man. Back then, he had been the age of the young man beside him. And that young man must be his son—either Borin or Bromir.

  If the old healers’ sayings were true, that the first son takes after his father’s face and the second his character, this must be Bromir. He was the spitting image of Severin, though much younger, but he resembled Severin at his age.

  “You’ve surprised me with this dagger,” Severin said, turning a small weapon in his hands. Jasmine could only glimpse the emblem of Meihar—a beautiful falcon.

  “It’s our tradition, King Severin,” Selene replied. She also held a similar, even identical, dagger. “Most likely, if your father ever came here, our mother would have given him the same. Or something similar.”

  “How is your sister, Queen? Is she in the kingdom?” Severin raised his head.

  The very first question froze Jasmine. She was stirred. Severin remembered that Selene had a sister. He remembered her. Jasmine felt Talia’s heart start to race. She was provoking it. Talia felt her emotion. She managed to calm herself. Talia also calmed down.

  “No.” Selene lied. “My sister went to seek her fortune elsewhere,” Selene continued to lie.

  This only made Jasmine angrier. But it was for the best. This way, she wouldn’t have to be present or summoned. She was too afraid to go and didn’t want to see them.

  Talia wasn’t talking to anyone, which irritated her slightly. She needed to learn more. Now she saw Ivora. She stood to the left of her and constantly sought conversation with someone, be it a maid, a cook, or even casting glances at Severin’s son. And he was looking at Talia. Their eyes met several times. Jasmine had no experience with men. Her only encounters were with old Rat, who managed the library. And with Bayan. Where was he now?

  But she didn’t need experience to understand Bromir’s gaze and his male desire for Talia. Even through the girl’s eyes, Jasmine felt the shame each time Bromir looked at her. The moment Talia caught his gaze, she would quickly look away, most often toward Selene.

  “Better.” Severin and Selene continued to speak of her. Jasmine didn’t like it. “With all due respect, Queen, with the affliction she had, it’s best that she’s far from prying eyes. I hope she’s found a loving husband, perhaps a second or third son of a wealthy family.”

  She didn’t want to listen.

  “I prefer not to speak of Jasmine, Severin,” Selene stopped him.

  Jasmine was pleased with her sister.

  “Apologies again,” the lord took another sip from his cup, placing it on the table as he looked at Selene.

  “And how is your wife?” Now it was Severin’s turn to answer.

  Jasmine hoped she wouldn’t wake before hearing what they had come for. She hated the formalities, but they had to get through them.

  “My wife is well, thank you. She takes care of my daughters. She tends to the kingdom and makes it a home for all. You know, the man builds the house, the woman makes it a home.”

  “Here we don’t quite see it that way, but like you, we take joy in our daughters.”

  “A great joy, but it’s even greater if you have sons first,” Severin sipped again. “And I have two. Both will be greater than I am. That I have three daughters after them is a gift. But let me tell you, Selene, even if I had only the three daughters, I’d still love them the same way. I wouldn’t treat them poorly. Nor would I send them away.”

  Was he attacking her or genuinely expressing his thoughts? Jasmine couldn’t tell. But the conversation gradually moved forward.

  Talia was still exchanging glances with Bromir.

  “I’m sure, Severin. I was referring to the northern folk beyond you. Those like Chernoval and Ishold.”

  Severin drank again, holding the cup aloft, swirling it gently, and peering into it.

  “Do you like it? The vintage is southern. It grows on our border with Solis. We tend the vineyards together and split the grapes evenly. They handle their share, and we handle ours.”

  “It’s probably better with you.”

  “Why do you think so?”

  “It’s one thing for the grapes to be crushed by gentle, clean white women’s feet; it’s another when it’s done by the rough heels of Ajax and his men.”

  Selene couldn’t suppress her smile. Jasmine saw that she was pleased.

  “There are women in Solis too.”

  “That’s true. But there’s also sand. And beautiful women’s feet with sand aren’t the most pleasant thing.”

  Selene smiled for the second time.

  “When you go down, I’m sure you’ll say the same about us and Ajax.”

  “I doubt I’ll have time to meet Ajax. The barbarians should be halfway by now, and if what I know is true, Ajax has done nothing to stop them. If I do see him, I’ll demand an explanation.”

  Jasmine prayed for Talia to look at Selene. She wanted to see her sister’s face. She wanted to see her sister. And Talia seemed to hear her.

  Dear sister. Jasmine hadn’t seen her for so long. She had been angry at Selene for not visiting, but now that she saw her, she realized how much she missed her. Memories flooded her mind, mingling with Talia’s emotions.

  “Tell me, Severin,” Selene lowered her respectful tone, “why are you here?”

  He reached for his cup again but this time stopped.

  “Let’s get to the point.”

  Talia leaned over her plate and sipped a little of the soup before her. When she raised her head, Jasmine saw that Severin was drinking again. Jasmine liked wine too, but this man overindulged. Bromir’s cup, on the other hand, was filled to the brim. And he was still watching Talia. But Talia wasn’t holding back either. She was increasingly seeking his gaze. There was something between them. They seemed like people who knew each other. And if they didn’t, they would soon enough. Jasmine didn’t care about them. She wanted to know more about Severin and why he was here.

  “Since you’ve come in person, you must be here for something else, my lord,” Selene said, glancing at Talia. Through the girl’s eyes, Jasmine could see her sister’s gaze. “If you just wanted soldiers, you could have told my guards.”

  Severin was trying to spear something with his fork but couldn’t hit the mark on his plate. He set the fork down and took another sip. Then he looked at his son.

  “Bromir is getting married. And as is customary in all the western kingdoms, I want to invite you to his wedding.”

  “Oh!” Selene exclaimed aloud, which seemed to surprise even her. “That’s wonderful, congratulations, Bromir,” she said, glancing at his son. He was still casting glances at Talia. “But that could have been in the letter,” Jasmine was surprised too. This was one of the last things she expected.

  “I’m beginning to think you didn’t want me here, Lady Selene. You keep trying to find out why I’m here.”

  “No. The whole kingdom is excited you’re here. And I think you see that.”

  “For the whole kingdom, I don’t know, but I hope at least you’ll welcome me well.”

  “Aren’t we doing that?”

  “Let’s see, magical wine and beautiful women. What more could I want?” He smiled. At the table, he was different. He didn’t seem like a lord or ruler of lands. He looked like an ordinary man, one of the most ordinary for whom getting drunk was the only goal.

  “Please, Severin, let’s stick to the subject.”

  “Yes. Let’s return to the wedding. I invite you, your ladies, and anyone you deem necessary to my son’s wedding.”

  “And the battle with the barbarians?”

  “We’ll be back by then. Tomorrow we’ll head south, push them back, and if we’re not too tired, we’ll speak with Ajax. Then we’ll head back up.”

  “So the wedding is soon?”

  “Very soon. When summer ends and before the first day of autumn.”

  “The empty day? The day of the gods? Bold. So it’s even sooner than I expected. We will, of course, honor the invitation. We can’t wait to meet the princess and future queen of Volkar.”

  Severin glanced at Bromir. He stood proudly upright.

  “She’s very beautiful. And from a noble family.”

  “A noble family? From your court?”

  “No. The bride is Loren Jar. Daughter of Uther Jar from the house of Jar, who holds the sunlit cliffs.”

  Jar? Jasmine knew of Jar. She had read about them. One of the last families in the northern part. Where now everything had been taken over by Ishold. They guarded the northern part of the Middle Sea. She understood why Bromir’s choice was what it was. This wasn’t a choice of love. Or at least she doubted it. It was very likely that he had been pushed by his father.

  She saw Severin sipping again.

  “All the kingdoms will attend?”

  “I’m inviting everyone, but who comes is up to them.”

  “But if they don’t come, it’ll be an insult to Volkar.”

  “It’ll be an insult first to the Pact. But I can’t force anyone. Still, the agreement of the five cannot be undone by something like this. But my relations with some of the other kingdoms will definitely be shaken.”

  “Have you visited all to invite them?”

  “No. I didn’t plan to invite you personally. I didn’t think it was necessary. I came down here because of the barbarians.”

  “And we’re just a stopover?”

  “I don’t want you to be offended. After all, I could have taken the main road, and then you’d wonder why I didn’t stop to greet you.”

  “But you need our warriors too. That’s why you came.”

  “Believe me, I’ll push them back even without your help. But I think it would be good for your red-haired warriors to taste the joy of battle. And if we win, which is not even in question, everyone will be happy. Even your warriors, even you. Men need to change their blood from time to time. And that can’t happen without a few battles. A man is not made to stay in one place. He must bleed, fall, and then rise.”

  “We don’t need to bleed in battles.”

  For a moment, Severin fell silent. The cup was again in his hands. This time he didn’t drink; he just held it.

  “If you didn’t love to fight, you’d let men do it for you. But you don’t have men here. You love to fight. And that’s why I think we’re starting an unnecessary argument. We all know what you’ll decide in the end.”

  “The six ladies you saw in the last round—Tera, Rena, Oriana, Zephyra, Melis, and Helia. What do you think of them?”

  The conversation between her sister and Severin was so captivating that even Bromir had stopped gazing at Talia, and the empty looks Talia cast his way went unanswered. No one else at the table spoke except the two rulers of the two kingdoms. And everyone watched them closely. Jasmine wanted this. She wanted to know what was happening, even though she was hidden in nothingness, and no one knew about her.

  “As far as I saw, two of the ladies are injured.”

  “My only concern is for Melis. But she assures me she’s fine. And the six are eager to show you that, despite being women, they’re no less than your men.”

  “I never doubted they were good warriors. But they can’t be better than a man.”

  “Just keep them safe, Severin. I don’t want any of them to get hurt. Protect them, but don’t help them. They’ll handle the rest.”

  “You have my word.” Severin seemed to have been waiting for this moment and raised his cup. Jasmine had noticed that this was his favorite thing of the entire evening. But this time, everyone at the table followed suit.

  “We will come to Bromir’s wedding. Myself and my ladies.” Severin looked at each one of them. When Jasmine’s eyes passed through Talia’s, she felt the pain. She missed Selene. So much time had passed without visiting her. “It will be a pleasure to see your kingdom. And as for the other matter? Are you sure about the barbarians?”

  “Two different little birds told me. Both work in those areas. And by little birds, I don’t mean…”

  “I know what you mean,” Selene interrupted him. “You’ve placed your people even among mine. That’s against the Pact.”

  “There’s not a word about that in the Pact. And let’s be honest, you’d lie if you said you don’t have people in the North. Or that you don’t listen to the traders’ gossip about us and those to the north of us.”

  Selene fell silent. But Jasmine knew Severin was right. What he spoke of was normal, and she didn’t understand her sister’s reaction.

  “Even if I’ve heard something, I don’t trust it.”

  “Because you don’t pay them. If you paid them, the information would be much more reliable.”

  “You’re insulting Meihar and me.”

  “I don’t want to insult you,” Severin exuded calm. “I didn’t come here for that. Just think about what I’ve said.”

  “Do you know why the barbarians have started again?”

  “Yes and no. What I know has been known to all for years. They’re chasing some legend about the gods of the North. They can’t sail, so their only chance is to pass through the path. And I’m sure many of them want revenge for the last battle.”

  “Why don’t we just let them reach the North?”

  “It’s strange that I’m having this conversation with one of the five. The Pact explicitly states that…”

  “I’m not asking you about the Pact!” Selene didn’t let him finish. “I’m asking about the logic behind it.”

  “My and your ancestors were wise people. And if they wrote it, there’s a reason. I can tell you the legends, but you already know them, and it won’t be anything new to you.”

  “Still, they’re just legends.”

  “Legends that Florentina and Cassian believed in so much that they wrote them themselves into the agreement. So I prefer to trust them rather than think about how to amend what was written by people much stronger and wiser than me.”

  Jasmine knew the legends too. Her entire life of inactivity, reading books while sitting in her chair with immobile legs, had at least given her knowledge. She had dedicated herself to reading as many books as possible and knowing more than others. Knowledge was her weapon. Her sword.

  “My six girls will be waiting for you in the morning, Severin. I’ll also send two healers to help you. And if you return them all alive, you’ll gain even more of my respect.”

  “Whether they return alive depends solely on them and the god you worship.”

  “It’s time to say that the morning is wiser, and it’s gotten quite late,” Selene placed her hand on Valerys’. Everyone at the table saw it. Talia did too. Jasmine watched through her eyes. She had suspected that her sister slept with one of the three ladies before, but Valerys? Or had she just chosen her for the night? Jasmine felt a twinge of jealousy.

  Talia whispered something in Ivora’s ear. Jasmine couldn’t hear it over the noise in the hall, this time coming from the servants clearing the table. In the background, the court singers hummed something softly to create an atmosphere and not disturb the conversations.

  Talia stood up slowly.

  Somehow, this startled Jasmine, and she woke up. She had managed to hear what she wanted, but she wanted to hear a little more. She squeezed her eyes shut, but it was in vain. It was the beginning of the night, and although the important things were already clear to her, she hoped to see just a little more.

  She didn’t know how much time had passed, whether it was a moment or the entire evening, but drenched in sweat and with slight nervousness, she still managed.

  The ring was still on her when she reached for the food on her dinner tray. She couldn’t remember when it had appeared or who had brought it, but she was grateful. She always felt hungry after using the ring. Afterward, she drank all the water they had left her. And then she’d fall asleep.

  But now it wasn’t like that. Just as she bit into the bread, the ring burned her again, and before her, images began to appear. Images of people. It was as if she heard voices too.

  She closed her eyes.

  She wasn’t in Talia’s body. She could see the long corridors of the castle, but she didn’t feel the body like before. She wasn’t in Bayan’s either. But whose body was she in? She wanted to go back. She wanted to see her sister again. To hear more from the table where they were. It seemed time had stretched out. It seemed she had missed it. Was she seeing someone’s memories, or was it happening now? But the body she was in was scared. Yes, the emotion wasn’t hers. The body was trembling. It seemed to fear the dark.

  She heard footsteps.

  They came from the end of the corridor.

  They were quiet and light. At first, she saw nothing unusual and continued to walk down the corridor. Still, she was afraid. Then she looked at her hands. They were the hands of an older woman. Slightly worn, slightly injured, and a little shriveled. And they were trembling. She continued bravely toward the footsteps. Jasmine didn’t understand why she was doing it if she was afraid.

  Then she saw the figure. It was a small, slender figure.

  It was probably a woman.

  She stepped toward the wall of the corridor. Most of the candles that usually lit the place had gone out. Only in the morning would someone come and light them one by one. Just before the queen and her ladies woke up. The queen always woke at the same time.

  The figure ahead came closer. She walked upright and confidently. Jasmine was now certain it was a girl. But what was she doing alone at this time? The rooms in this corridor were almost always empty.

  She knew these rooms. One of them now belonged to King Severin. In front of one of the rooms, there were two of the queen’s guards, who were slightly dozing. They didn’t notice her. And she wasn’t moving now. She waited for the girl to approach. She thought to block her way, but she didn’t. Curiosity trembled within her.

  “Is someone there?”

  More footsteps.

  Then a second person appeared.

  The two unknown figures in the dark began talking to each other without paying her any attention. The man’s voice was deep but not as throaty as King Severin’s. The king’s voice echoed throughout the kingdom, especially when he laughed. This voice was similar, but not exactly the same. The other person, with the smaller figure, probably a girl, spoke rarely, but her voice was gentle and flowed through the corridor.

  Jasmine recognized her. So did the body she was in. She felt it.

  The girl was Talia, and the man opposite her—Bromir.

  She didn’t recognize her until they stopped in front of the young prince’s room. This was something more interesting. Jasmine hoped the body she was in would approach. And she hoped it wasn’t Bayan. If he got caught a second time, he’d spend more time in the dungeon. And this time, not even Talia could save him. But it wasn’t Bayan. His hands weren’t that old. And he was a bit taller.

  The body took two steps forward, emerging from the shadows. Just enough so none of them could see it.

  The door to the room opened. The first to enter was the girl, likely Talia. Bromir stayed at the entrance, watching her back. The woman through whose eyes Jasmine was watching took another step forward. Bromir didn’t move. He waited for her, reached out, and closed the door. But he stayed outside. And stood before the closed door. He behaved strangely. But then he turned and saw her. He looked her straight in the eyes. And that gaze reached Jasmine too.

  “Come!” he said softly and calmly.

  The body obeyed obediently. Bromir didn’t wait for her to come. He walked toward her, reached out when he was close enough, and grabbed her shoulder. Then he pulled her close to him.

  His scent was of roses. Jasmine smelled it. Sometimes she could smell the body she was in. She tried to recall where there were roses in the kingdom, but she couldn’t.

  “Did you see the other person?”

  “It was… it was Lady Talia,” she spoke barely above a whisper.

  Bromir released her, wiped his forehead, and looked up at her.

  “I don’t like that answer.”

  The woman tried to apologize, but it was too late. Jasmine felt the chill in her stomach. For the first time, she felt something like this in another’s body. There was an iron taste. It was as if she had swallowed metal. The woman placed her hand on the spot. Right where she felt the chill. She raised her hand. It was covered in blood.

  Her knees buckled, and she fell. Jasmine stayed with her until the end. Even when she was already on the ground, she could see through her eyes. She saw Bromir re-enter the room, where Talia had entered earlier. The guards beside the door were still asleep.

  Then the woman closed her eyes.

  And Jasmine opened hers.