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That htened Inevera When had she ever seen fear in Ashia’s aura? Not even when the alagai built greatwards around the city

"By Everam and my hope of Heaven, I swear I will not harm him, sister," Jarvah said "Please The Damajah must see to your injuries"

Ashia shook her head, and some of the confusion left her aura "I have walked the abyss to protect ht, sister I will not be parted from him"

"You will not be parted," Inevera said "You have ic takes you Let your spear sister hold Kaji They will not leave your side"

Ashia nodded, relaxing her grip Jarvah took Kaji, holding the thrashing infant beneath the arhting a rock de, denied their own childhoods, had none of a mother’s instincts

Inevera snatched the child frohtly in the blanket She took the neat bundle and pushed it into the crook of Jarvah’s elbow "Micha, take the Holy Mother down to the vault We will meet you there shortly Go quickly and tell no one"

"Yes, Damajah" Micha bowed and vanished

Inevera swept into the throne roo sister-wives at her heel The rooreat din at the news Before them, their second sons lined the path to the throne, save for Belina, who glared hatred at Damaji Aleveran Aleverak’s eldest son, Aleveran had taken the place of his father to lead the Majah--at least for now

None of the Da approved of their sons’ coup, but ties of blood ran deeply in the up the steps to Asorim, eyes still puffed from tears no doubt shed over Asukaji

There is always a price to power, led with the pain of Jayan’s loss Soer killed the elder, but the truth of the dice was harsher Asooaded his brother, but it was Jayan who defeated hiood to see you well, Mother I feared for you last night" Asome had wisely uncovered the s of the throne rooht that bounced around the room on dozens of new mirrors, but Inevera did not need to read his aura to know the lie

"I fear for all of us," Inevera said, continuing on as her sister-wives took their place left of the throne, opposite the new Darandson into my custody For their own protection, of course"

"Of course" Asoan to ascend the steps She kneanted to stop her--everyto have your mother quietly killed, it was another to attack the Daht of day before the entire court

"And Ashia?" Aso her brother and h at the irony "I am afraid your Jiwah Ka was mortally wounded in the battle,"They er is past I would see the body of randmother …"

Inevera topped the steps and met his eyes, and he did not dare finish the sentence As Shar’Dama Ka, Asome’s power exceeded her own, but it was untested, and they both knew Inevera could have both of the hostages killed long before he found theer is not past!" Inevera said loudly, her voice echoing through the rooai hora, and the dice foretell doom, should they leaveas an equal to her bed of pillows beside the throne

CHAPTER 33

A VOICE IN THE DARK

334 AR SPRING

Six cycles passed, coldthe metal of his shackles away atom by atoreeaker Soon he would be ready to escape, but still his captors re in through the curtain weave Soon the day star would rise in full