Inessa had given up keeping her dress clean. It felt like a sin to sit down on the hard cell floor in such a beautiful dress, but she couldn’t stand forever.

The sun was setting. The shadows were long on the small window she had. They had given her a slice of bread, but she didn’t feel like eating it.

The door swung open, and she expected to see a guard taking the plate back, but she was more surprised to see Rosa and Nathaniel walking in.

“Rosa?” Inessa asked.

Rosa looked relieved before she rushed over, helping her to her feet and giving her a hug. “Are you alright?”

“I… yes. What are you doing here?” Inessa asked.

“Visiting you,” Rosa said, breaking away from the hug. “We’re all worried sick about you.”

“My mother packed a basket,” Nathaniel said, setting down the huge basket that looked like a feast was stuffed into it.

“But… but I…”

“Don’t say a word,” Rosa said, rubbing her shoulders. “Alright? You don’t need to say a thing. Everyone sends their love. Adosina is already building a case for your defense as we speak, but Nathaniel says he’s got a better plan to save you.”

“I do,” Nathaniel said, piling food on a plate before handing it to her. Inessa took the plate full of food that she had no appetite for, as Nathaniel took her elbow and led her toward the other side of the cell. Rosa went to the other side to give them privacy. “Listen, Inessa, I’m really sorry. I’m the one that told my father about you. I didn’t want this to happen, but it was the only way he could get Indenuel help.”

“Indenuel? Is he alive? Is he alright?” she asked, desperate for news.

“He’s alive, but he’s not alright. I assume you saw his marks.” Inessa nodded, feeling bile creep up her throat. “If I told my father he was marked, he might have still stopped it, but it would have been too dangerous, in a way I cannot expound on now.” Inessa looked at Nathaniel with fear. “But you’re going to be alright. I swear it. I’ve sent a message to Indenuel to deny the whole thing. You’re going to be safe, and you’ll be back home in no time. They cannot hurt you as long as Indenuel denies my allegations.”

“But…” Inessa started to say. “If Indenuel denies it then you… you’re going to get a lashing.”

“Better a lashing than ruining your life,” Nathaniel said.

“Does Rosa know this plan?” Inessa asked.

“Yes. I told her soon after you were arrested. She will not be attending the lashing,” Nathaniel said.

“But I did sleep with him. You are right,” Inessa said.

Nathaniel glanced out the cell window. “I know you did. But I cannot let your family lose the privileges and titles they’ve been given. You’ve suffered enough. The concubine law, being with all four High Elders, it’s too much for someone as young as you to go through. The scars of my lashing will heal soon enough. I just ask that you do not fight back when Indenuel denies it. I don’t know what the High Elders might do to you if you speak out. I will do everything in my power to protect you while we’re in the trial, but there’s only so much I’m allowed to do. Even as the son of a High Elder.”

Inessa nodded, her eyes growing wide. She remembered exactly what happened the last time she was in a trial with all four High Elders. Nathaniel took the plate. She hadn’t realized how badly her hands shook until he took it. Nathaniel must not have had any idea what happened in that trial. He was simply showing kindness. Willing to get ten lashes for someone like her. Inessa covered her mouth, the tears coming that she had held at bay for so long. She didn’t cry when she got arrested. She didn’t cry at the realization she would have a trial and stand before the High Elders again to pay for a crime. To lose her titles. To go back home, shunned and destitute. But she did, now that Nathaniel was showing her kindness.

Rosa came over, hugging her tightly, rubbing her back. “You’ll be alright. Nathaniel will protect you. You’re going to be fine.”

Inessa nodded. She just had to stay silent like she had her whole life. Keep her problems to herself. Not say a word. Then she’d be safe.

***

Indenuel breathed in the ginseng so much he could almost ignore it. He turned over in his bed, when he remembered he wasn’t in one. He could almost force himself to go deeper into the devil’s sleep. He was so exhausted, and he was terrified of what would be expected of him when he woke up. He couldn’t fight anymore. He had only chosen not to sell his soul because there was still a large part of him that missed Lucia. If he sold his soul, he would never see her again. Unless she really had gone to hell. But Garen would have told him if she did. Even then, he wouldn’t believe it.

Stolen novel; please report.

The devil’s sleep left, and he opened his eyes. He didn’t have his mask on. He blinked as he recognized Navir’s blurry frame, and the dark glare he had.

“What?” Indenuel asked.

“He’s awake. Alert the others. Get the mask back on him,” Navir said.

Indenuel blinked the darkness away, trying to sit up but forgetting again he was still in chains.

The metal plate moved back into his mouth and the mask was locked back into place. “Do not react to my words.” It was Tolomon, whispering as quietly as he could next to his ear. His heart began beating faster. He remembered the last time he had seen Tolomon, the fear his friend was going to die. But he was here. He was alive. That alone was what he needed to wake the rest of the way up. “Deny Nathaniel’s allegation. If you value Inessa’s life, deny what you did. No matter what they say, no matter what they do. Nathaniel is prepared to get the lashing. Neither one of us want you or Inessa to get hurt.”

Indenuel did nothing to react, except he did look at Tolomon. A physical reminder that he and Nathaniel were both alive before seeing Navir at the doorway. The man was still glaring at him. Indenuel looked again at Tolomon who did nothing as he moved away, pretending to not exist in the room. Dalius walked down the stairs, joining Navir.

“While we wait for the other High Elders, let me fill you in on what’s happened,” Navir said.

Indenuel listened, waking up the rest of the way. Navir spoke calmly, but there was an intensity in his eyes. The war was on hold. The Empress of Kiam was coming. He’d have to stop it with diplomacy. Diplomacy was never part of the prophecy. Indenuel continued to listen, feeling nauseous. He needed to hide his mark. She was coming in a month.

They also all knew about him and Inessa.

Indenuel closed his eyes, trying to understand this all. At least he wasn’t fighting again. He took comfort in that. He could rest, in a way. Finally work on getting the mark off his chest.

Theo was just starting to heal Indenuel when Martin walked down the stairs. Indenuel gave him barely a glance before turning away.

“Why does he still have the mask on?” Martin asked.

“Precaution,” Navir said.

“Dalius is right there,” Martin said.

“So is Theo,” Navir said. “I’d hate for the devil to try and corrupt him.”

Martin narrowed his eyes as Theo eased Indenuel off the table. Once again, Indenuel tried to use his muscles, but Theo had to grab him to keep him steady as Indenuel worked on finding his feet. Martin appeared on the other side of him, grabbing his arm. Indenuel looked away, refusing to meet Martin’s gaze. The worst was behind him. It couldn’t get any harder than Nathaniel discovering what he had done, but Martin was a close second.

“Are you alright, my boy?” Martin asked.

Indenuel nodded, not looking at him. Tolomon came on the other side, holding him up.

“Thank you,” Theo said, moving to the front and touching Indenuel’s temples. Indenuel managed to find his footing, his muscles strengthening.

Once again it was multiple rounds of drinking the ale and the broth without a mask before having Theo come back in and pulling the nutrients from the food to strengthen his body. Toward the end, Martin let him have some food from Sara. When Theo came back that last time, he was impressed.

“This food is incredibly rich in nutrients,” Theo said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“It’s my wife’s,” Martin said. “She would gladly have you over for dinner to experience it firsthand.”

“I might take you up on that,” Theo said.

The nutrients filled his body, and he found his legs not trembling nearly as bad. Theo patted Indenuel on the shoulder. “Please get some rest.”

Indenuel nodded, unable to speak. The moment Theo was gone, Tolomon unlocked the mask and helped him out of it. Indenuel placed his hands on the table, leaning against it, staring at the table. Martin had not left his side, and Indenuel wanted him to.

“What do you have to say for your actions?” Navir asked.

“You’re welcome for bringing the war to an end,” Indenuel said.

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about,” Navir said. Indenuel wiped his mouth, saying nothing. “You took advantage of the deal.”

“The deal that never should have happened in the first place,” Martin said.

Indenuel snorted. “Again, you’re welcome.”

He expected Martin to glare at him. He did not expect Martin to look hurt.

“I don’t trust your skills at diplomacy. This is all going to end badly,” Fadrique said.

“Thank you, Fadrique. I can always count on you to bolster my spirits,” Indenuel said.

Fadrique about said something back but Navir raised a hand. Fadrique settled on glaring.

“We have already lost four days of the month trying to get you awake. You have the rest of the evening here to recover. You and Inessa will be tried and punished accordingly. Do you have anything to say about Captain Nathaniel’s claims of your crimes against a High Elder’s concubine?” Navir asked.

Indenuel stared at the table again, remembering what Tolomon told him to do. He realized why. The list of punishments for adulterers were there, a warning from Tolomon himself, and yet it was Tolomon who assured him that they would look the other way. It was now Tolomon who was asking him to lie.

“I deny it,” Indenuel said.

“You what?” Navir asked.

“I deny the allegations,” Indenuel said, glaring at Navir. “I didn’t do it.”

Martin looked away, placing his hands in the sleeves of his robes. Navir’s eyes narrowed, then he looked at Tolomon, who was beside Indenuel, still doing everything in his power to not be seen. “I see.” His gaze returned to Indenuel. “We had of course hoped you would come clean of your grievous sin, as it will certainly help cleanse your mark that much faster.”

“I am coming clean. I didn’t do it,” Indenuel said.

A small smile crossed Navir’s face. One that made him deeply uncomfortable. “Alright. I guess we will see what happens at the trial tomorrow, won’t we?” Navir turned around. “I will see you there, Tolomon.”

Tolomon glanced up, watching Navir’s retreating form before catching Indenuel’s gaze. Fadrique followed Navir. Dalius headed toward Indenuel when Martin shook his head.

“Go eat dinner, Dalius. I’d like a word alone with Indenuel,” Martin said.

Dalius frowned, giving Indenuel a mistrustful look. “Do you think that’s wise?”

“It is necessary,” Martin said.