Finally ready, I followed Inari to the High Priestess’s receiving room. Two oversize soldiers guarded the ornate double door. Inari tapped on the wood. The doors swung inward. Inari knelt and bent forward so her forehead pressed on the floor.

I couldn’t see too far inside, but Inari waited until a voice gave her permission to speak. My opinion of the High Priestess slipped several notches.

Inari introduced me, and if the Blessed One thought I’d kneel for her, she was in for a surprise. I entered and Inari left, closing the doors behind her. Estrid sat on a divan, reading a story to her granddaughter. Nestled in her lap, Nyrie stared at the pictures in the book. Estrid’s powerful gaze, though, was focused on me.

Should I curtsy? Or bow? I decided to remain standing. The High Priestess gestured to the nanny who had been sitting in an armchair by the window to take Nyrie for her afternoon nap. The woman rushed to obey.

When we were alone, I braced for… I didn’t know, but predicted it wouldn’t be pleasant. Except I was wrong.

Estrid smiled. “Please sit, Avry.” She gestured to a seat near her.

The room matched the others I’d seen. Dark furniture, gold trimmings, lush carpets and bookcases lined the walls. I perched on the edge of the cushion.

“Thank you for healing my granddaughter,” Estrid said.

“You’re welcome.”

“If I had lost her, too…” She glanced away as grief creased her face. After a moment she continued. “Have you considered our offer?”

“I have.”

“And?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot accept at this time.” I waited for the threats.

Instead, she asked, “Why not?”

“I gave my word to Kerrick to travel with him until we reach his sick…friend.”

“I’m well aware of Prince Ryne’s condition. Will you be able to heal him?”

“I can heal him, but I haven’t decided if I will.”

She laughed. “His reputation is worse than mine.” She tapped long elegant fingers on her lips. “Are you aware Tohon of Sogra is after you?”

“Yes.”

“He’s trouble. And I don’t think my army will be able to hold him back once he decides to move into Pomyt.”

Not about to get into a discussion of the trouble she had caused, I kept quiet.

“If Tohon succeeds in gaining all the Realms south of the Nine Mountains, then my rules to keep a pure heart in the name of the creator will seem a mere nuisance to the populace in comparison.” Again her gaze grew distant. “Do you think Kerrick is capable of getting you to Ryne?”

“Yes.”

“What would you do if I threatened your sister’s life if you didn’t stay here and heal my warriors?”

And just when I thought she wouldn’t resort to threats… Grief filled my heart. I had caused Noelle so much pain already. “I would stay.” Until I figured out a way to escape with Noelle and Kerrick.

A side door opened and Jael strode into the room. She wore a uniform and a sword. “We just caught Belen and three others trying to rescue Kerrick from the jail,” she said to Estrid. “Perhaps one of them will—” She noticed me.

At her announcement, I slumped against the back of the chair.

“We have all your companions now. And your sister is on her way here so we can keep a close eye on her,” Jael said.

“Jael, that’s enough.” Estrid seemed to mull over the news. “Was Belen that commoner they allowed in school with you and Stanslov?”

“Yes. He was supposed to be Kerrick’s bodyguard, but Kerrick treated him like an equal. Kerrick spent more time protecting Belen than the other way around.”

“Is that how you met Kerrick?” I asked Jael.

“Yes. And how I met Stanslov. We were in boarding school together. All the children born to the leaders of each Realm attended. As future leaders, it was supposed to teach us tolerance and cooperation of the other Realms. But all we did was make alliances and fight.”

“Which was a more accurate representation of how the Fifteen Realms interacted,” Estrid said. “Now, all bets are off.”

Silence descended as we mourned the past. Jael’s comment about the students being future leaders sunk in. Kerrick, a prince? Hard to believe, but Noelle had called him by that name. It didn’t matter. It wouldn’t change how I felt about him. And just how did I feel about him?

Jael said, “If you’re finished with Avry, I’ll take her down to the infirmary.”

“Not yet. Leave us,” the High Priestess ordered her daughter-in-law.

Jael gave her a curt bow and left by the same door she had entered. From the fire in her eyes, I knew she was angry. I wondered why she obeyed Estrid’s orders. She commanded the very air, while her mother-in-law had no magic. But then I realized that power came in many different forms, and Estrid commanded the army.

As if she could read my thoughts, Estrid said, “Avry, how about a compromise?”

Estrid used the same word I had with Inari, which made me wonder if she had sent an acolyte to spy on us. Wary, I asked for details. She explained her terms. I agreed. We shook hands. When I left, Inari appeared beside me.

“Can you direct me to the infirmary?” I asked her.

“Yes, miss. Do you wish to go now?”

“I need to change first.”

Inari looked strickened. “I…took your clothes to be washed. They—”