Page 53

Sebastianus sipped his wine. Our eyes met for just a moment over the rim of his cup. My neck flushed, and I was grateful no one was paying attention to me.

“I led an expedition there some years ago,” he said. “As to barely escaping with my life, I think that’s overstated. We had a little trouble, but it’s a fascinating place.”

“I could never go among such heathens,” she said. “Do none of them worship the Lord of the Deep Sea?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been all over the continent, and there are both good and bad people everywhere, even right here in Panpirion. You can hardly tell who is who.”

“Of course you can,” she said quickly, looking protectively at her daughters.

Georgios jumped in. “Where will your travels take you to next, cousin?”

“Carrac, I think,” Sebastianus said.

“Why Carrac?” Georgios asked.

“Just following a hunch.”

“You don’t stay in one place long,” Sophia said.

A brief silence settled over the table. In a reflex honed by my years of training, I turned to Georgios. “My lord, do you enjoy these grape leaves? I think they are delicious.”

He looked at me blankly for a moment. “What? Oh, the grape leaves. Yes, very good with the figs. By the gods, those diamonds are magnificent.”

Oh, I knew I shouldn’t have worn these earrings. His stare lingered.

“My mother inherited them,” I said, grasping for an explanation. “She gave them to me so I would have something nice for my trip to Panpirion.” Was this something a mother would do? I had no idea.

“Anna’s mother thinks they look lovely on her,” Sebastianus said. His eye twinkled with mischief.

I thought I heard Klaudia sigh quietly.

Georgios frowned deeply. I could nearly hear his mind whirring like the gears of an orrery behind his small eyes. “Cousin, I understand you’ve already made one trip to the mountains this year. How did you find it?”

Sebastianus waved a hand lazily. “Same as always, Cousin. The air is clear, the company good. You remember.”

“I heard the Imperator has a few mountain flowers in his collection,” Georgios said, touching the rim of his cup, “but I thought that was only a rumor. It seems that there may be some truth to it.”

“My uncle never was one to deny himself anything.”

“A family trait, perhaps?”

I realized I was gripping my spoon so tightly that my palm hurt.

“What’s this?” Sophia asked. “Does the Imperator collect plants?”

Klaudia cleared her throat gently. “Sophia, have you had the opportunity to visit the Diluvion?”

“We made an offering there on the day of our arrival, of course,” Sophia said. “I’ve never felt the presence of Gurgexenes so fully.”

“A lot of other magnificent temples were sacrificed to create it,” Sebastianus said, turning to Klaudia. “Including ones your ancestors built.”

“Your ancestors built temples?” Helena turned to Klaudia with wide eyes.

“Klaudia’s ancestor and mine, the Imperator Priscian, built many of the buildings and monuments in the city,” Sebastianus said. “If it weren’t for a quirk of fate, she would be spending endless hours in the council chamber instead of me.”

“Women have no mind for war,” Georgios said.

“I’d gladly change places with you, Seb,” Klaudia said with teeth gritted behind her smile, “but your cousin has shared the prevailing view.”