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What he says is, “You have never left the Rose Palace?”

“No. Unless I did when I was very young. I do not know where I was born. A child of Zai has no life before they became a ward of the true God.”

Xan scoffs at this, then says, “And they cannot leave?”

“It depends. Acolytes of Zai have different paths. But mine was to remain here.”

“And who decides these paths?”

“Zai.”

Xan makes a louder scoffing noise, before saying, “Nothing in this world has done more evil than the God you call Zai.”

Jemel swallows a sour taste in his mouth. This, he thinks, is not wrong. But he hates to hear it.

“Why did you rescue Trysta?” Jemel says, “I understand why you would, but why now, so suddenly. When we had a plan to do it the night before the ascension.”

“Atticul threatened her.”

“How did he speak to you?” Jemel feels something like a prickle of jealousy at the idea of anyone else in the palace speaking to Xan.

“He had a Plumian soldier brought to his chambers. He told me what Atticul was going to do to her.”

“Why would he do that?” Jemel says. The jealous prickle growing more intense. “Why would he not command me to do it?”

“Perhaps he thought such talk not fit for a priest,” Xan says.

Jemel swallows. He doesn’t need more details of what was said. He reaches out and touches Xan on the knee. His skin is so warm.

Xan takes a breath. “But he had spoken with me before. He did use a translator to tell me about what he planned for Trysta, to make sure he was understood. But, that was the second time. Before that we spoke alone. I am sorry, Baraboo, I do have some Artemian.”

Jemel draws his hand back and sits up, shocked. “You do?”

Xan chuckles, “Lie down, Baraboo.”

Jemel does as bid, this time, letting his body press against Xan’s. The fact that he has just been told Xan speaks Artemian does not seem to concern him as much as the feel of Xan beside him.

It should not bring him such comfort.

But he silences that thought. What does it matter? Would it be such a sin to follow his body’s desires? He is leaving the palace, surely that would mean finally leaving Zai behind and joining Damon’s fight. He needs to shed his allegiance to Zai like an old skin. And he will likely never see Xan again after they escape the palace. If he is to commit a sin of the body, he thinks he would most like to do so with Xan. Xan makes his desires for such things rise to the surface like no other man.

And he will never have the chance again.

“I am sorry,” Xan says, still talking about his knowledge of Artemian. “I should have told you before. I don’t know how Atticul knew.”

Because he is a demon, Jemel thinks, but he says, “And all this time you have made me speak Plumian with you.”

“And I bid you continue. The Artemian I have is far weaker than your command of Plumian.”

“How did you come to learn Artemian?” Jemel says softly.

Xan exhales, long, as if he is about to tell a grand tale. “When the message came about treating for Elric Underlia, none wanted to go. I volunteered. They allowed me to come here with a small crew. They assumed I would be taken prisoner and told me flatly no ransom would be paid if I was.”

“Then why would you take on such a mission?”

“You remember how I told Embel I was a versun?” Xan says.

“Yes, I do not know that word.”