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I ought to object. Instead, I find myself looking at the empty chair opposite mine, the place where Daurek might sit.
“I haven’t decided.”
Ziku adds a mark to his board.
“That isn’t an answer.”
“It tells me you might come.”
He walks off before I can argue with him.
Reivaka stacks the empty bowls. “Your meeting is after the morning petitions. I’ll come for you.”
I take one last piece of bread back to my room.
I sit on the bed and eat slowly, looking at my bag.
I could write that I’m safe. I could tell Asha the debt is paid and let her believe the rest went as planned.
The thought is so easy that I dislike myself for having it.
I take out a sheet of paper. Then I put it on the bed beside me and wait for Reivaka.
Before I tell my sister where I’ve landed, I need to ask my husband how soon I can leave.
DAUREK
Iplace Vai’s chair across the table from mine.
While I turn to speak to Reivaka, the floor carries it around to my side.
Reivaka watches it settle beside my chair.
“Convenient.”
“Put it back.”
“You can do that yourself.”
I do. The roots beneath it creak but obey.
The northern meeting room has plain walls and narrow windows overlooking the courtyard. I chose it after finding blossoms in two of the other rooms. Now I must watch the furniture as well.
Neimura stands near the door. Reivaka has taken his statement and made him sign it. I brought my seal from the locked chest in my chamber; it lies beside the request, where I can reach it.
Vai arrives carrying an empty cup.
Her hair has dried into loose auburn curls, copper-red in the window light. Yesterday I could see only the strands plastered to her cheeks. Now one keeps catching against her mouth as she looks around the room. I watch her push it away, and forget to offer her the chair.
Reivaka touches the chair back. I step away from it.
Vai sees Neimura and stops in the doorway.
“Does he need to be here?”
“To admit what he did and answer your questions,” I say. “He’ll leave when you’re finished with him.”
She sits across from me.
