Page 23 of Sharpest Court

Rheya considered, tapping one claw on the arm of her throne. “You realize that I could do exactly what I ought to and return you to Erik for written confirmation of peace.”

“If that is your wish—”

“Then what? You’ll get on the ship like a compliant young lady and save me a good deal of rope?”

I held her stare, refusing to buckle. If she truly wanted to send me to Erik, I would already be on a ship. “I have taken many roles at court, Your Majesty. A compliant young lady has never been one of them.”

As the tension built to the point of discomfort, I worried that I’d made my argument too convincing. That Rheya might truly turn me away, thus keeping Banarrat out of my reach. I felt it slipping away from me—this rare, remarkable opportunity to understand Erik’s plans.

Then, as I’d hoped and anticipated from an empress who enjoyed impertinence, Rheya’s hard exterior cracked with a faint, approving smile. “Very well.” There was a collective intake of breath as she detached a bead from her brooch.

“Your Majesty.” Arun’s eyes widened. “If I may—”

“You may not,” she said. Then the bead drifted toward me, bobbing slightly, as though her specter struggled to keep it aloft across the distance. I reached out and startled when I brushed against her power.

The empress’s specter was the thinnest—the weakest—I’d ever felt.

If I had any doubts about this offering, Rheya’s next words dispelled them.

“This bead represents the first part of an invitation into the Ansoran Gallery, a collection of the most valued members of this empire’s court. Every ruler on every continent knows that harming a member of the Gallery is considered an act of war. Even Erik would not risk his kingdom to commit such an act.”

I didn’t know if she was right, but she didn’t have to be. Even if this protection didn’t keep Erik from trying to track me down himself, it would keep others from doing so on his behalf. It was therefore the most powerful form of immunity I could gain. I just hoped I wouldn’t need it. And I hoped that Rheya’s willingness to offer the invitation was a testament to how much she needed me.

Because as long as she did, she wouldn’t sell me back to Erik.

Her glossy hair slid over her shoulder as she looked me over. “I see a potential in you that transcends your astounding capacity for recklessness. Prove me right, and I will complete your initiation into the Gallery.”

“How?” I asked, dubious again.

She smiled wryly. “Return from Banarrat, and you shall find out.”

I rolled the bead between my fingers, making a show of mulling it over. At last, I slipped the bead into my pocket and said, “I accept your offer, Your Majesty.”

The air slackened like the untensing of a muscle. Only Arun appeared worse for my acceptance, his glare taking on a new, resentful edge.

“You are to leave for Banarrat in two weeks,” Rheya said, pleased. “Until then, Arun will handle your spectral training.”

“Training?” I asked just as Keil and Valeria blurted, “No.”

They were scowling at Arun again, who now appeared vaguely interested.

“I’ll be acting as a Wholeborn,” I said, confused.

“Which will be impossible,” Rheya replied, “for someone whose every forceful emotion seems to produce a spectral outburst.”

I bristled just as Keil stepped forward.

“I shall handle her training myself.”

“We can’t allow that.” Cruel smile lines creased around Arun’s eyes. “You cannot effectively train a person to whom you have an emotional attachment.”

“And me?” Goren asked darkly. “Do I have an emotional attachment?”

Arun faltered, his jaw flickering.

“You are offering your services?” Rheya asked.

Goren glanced at me and sighed. “Apparently.”