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Jemel exhales, Xan sees the veil move over his mouth. “Why would she mention taking a dagger that was simply in Pershel’s chambers if it was not how she was killed.”

“I do not know. But even if the dagger killed her, she could have taken her own life with it?”

The priest shakes his head. “But why would anyone say she used snap adder venom?” he says back, sounding quite infuriated. Xan thinks again of this woman whose words he reads. She was afraid when she wrote this. And what does she mean when she says she is scared she will be killed by some powerful, evil creature?

“Perhaps Embel did kill Pershel,” the priest says thoughtfully.

But the suggestion that the slave should be blamed annoys Xan. “If she did, she writes nothing of it.”

“We must find this dagger,” the priest says.

Xan looks at him in surprise. “You think that this dagger will hold the answers you seek?”

“She hid it. It must be important.”

“I suppose,” says Xan, thinking that perhaps it is. Embel did not leave the dagger with the body when she came upon it, or steal it for herself. She very clearly says she took it and hid it in Pershel’s garden. “Where is this garden?” he says.

“Pershel did not have a garden. But she did once show me one. There is a secret garden in the tunnels beneath the palace. She told me it was the finest place in the Rose Palace.”

Xan looks at him. The tunnels. The tunnels Longwise spoke of. He had almost forgotten the reason he came to the priest’s chambers in the first place. And he had no idea how he was going to persuade his priest to take him down into them. He smiles. This night is truly full of the blessings of the Mother of Men. This creature will lead him to the tunnels without him having to come up with a reason to ask for such.

But before that he has other concerns. He has a debt he wants repaid. No harm in playing both games at once. No harm in setting up a second plan in case he can’t get Trysta from the dungeons himself.

He moves closer. He thinks the priest will lie if he asks, but he still means to ask. He will be able to tell if this priest lies. Not because he has powers to detect such things, but because he is sure of the truth. “And now, another question. To settle your debt to me.”

“I already told you my desires,” Jemel says tightly. “I told you about Pershel.”

Xan makes a soft scoffing noise. “That was simply you telling me what you wanted me to do. It was not part of our bargain. Now I can ask you questions. And I will do more for you besides. I am generous to you, my priest. I will go with you to find these gardens. But first you will tell me the truth of your heart.”

Xan has leant closer across the desk again. They are not touching but Xan can feel Jemel’s slender body shaking. He has never been touched, Xan is sure. He does not know what he craves.

“Very well,” the priest says, “what do you want to know?”

“Priest,” Xan says, voice low and deep, “I want to know if you desire me.”

The priest stiffens. “It matters not if I do. I am chaste.”

“You promised to be honest,” Xan coos. “Do you desire me?”

Xan reaches out. Will Jemel shy away if he touches him? The oil lamp on the desk is spluttering, almost out. It is so dark in the chamber. Tiny licks of light highlight the elegant bones of the priest’s wrist, the veil seems to glitter. Xan brushes his fingers — the pads of his first two fingers — across Jemel’s chin, through the delicate fabric of the veil. It is so thin, like an insect’s wings. He imagines kissing Jemel through this veil. Tasting it on his tongue.

The priest does not pull away. His breath is coming in ragged little gasps.

“Thought so,” Xan says softly.

He leans back. This priest is beautiful under that veil. He is sure of it.

“And that’s it?” Jemel says, breathy.

“That’s it.”

“You got what you wanted?”

“I got what I wanted.”

“Then,” Jemel says, regaining himself, “we are done.”

“Oh, we are not done. But now, when shall we uncover more of your secrets in this garden?”