Indenuel did not leave the library until he was ready, and Martin waited with him the entire time. He hated this. Hated it all. He needed to lie just like the High Elders now. He despised liars, and now he was asked to become one. Fill the people full of deceit to keep them full of hope. Assure them that the Prophet Jaakob was right, and he’d win the battle for them, when he would probably meet his end.

He was sitting in Martin’s carriage as they rode back, surrounded by guards and militia men. The carriage went slow enough for the guards to keep up.

“You may stay at my home as long as you need,” Martin said. Indenuel wasn’t sure what to say. There was a lot of things that had happened in the past day which had completely shaken him. “Captain Luiz will come by tomorrow to continue training you.” He gave a nod he didn’t feel. Martin placed a hand on his shoulder, and he forced himself to look at Martin’s eyes. “It is purely speculation what Fadrique said. You could still win this war, alright? You are one of the strongest individuals I’ve ever seen. I have complete faith in you.”

Indenuel shook his head. “And if I disappoint you?”

Martin’s eyes softened, and he got the impression he had foregone his High Elder role and slipped into his father one. “If you did your best, you could never disappoint me.”

Tears threaten to fall again. He was supposed to keep it all a secret, but he had to ask. “Do my best, because God will help me with what I can’t do?”

Martin understood his question. “Because who you are, what you’re doing, everything was in place before this world was created. God is a perfect planner and knew exactly what would happen. Nothing you do will surprise Him, and He trusts you completely to fulfill your calling.”

Indenuel nodded as the carriage stopped near the front door. He didn’t think he could ever get used to something like this. “I’d like to check on Tolomon, if that’s alright.”

“I’ll check on him with you,” Martin said.

They greeted Derio at the front before walking into the sick room. The door was open, which was odd, until he realized Rosa was there with two of her maidservants. She was a respectful distance, sitting on a chair. Tolomon was awake, dressed, and sitting up in his bed, chatting with Rosa as though he didn’t almost die the night before. He must have cracked some joke, because she gave a laugh, covering her cheeks.

“No! That’s not how I remember it at all!” she said.

“You did! Davi was never the same!” Tolomon said.

“Did Nathaniel tell him it was me? That I was simply joking?” Rosa asked.

“He tried, but Davi was too convinced it was a demon to think straight for the rest of the season,” Tolomon said.

Rosa shook her head, her cheeks still red before she saw Martin and stood to give a small curtsey, her smile dropping. “Hello Martin.”

Martin must not have noticed her disappearing smile as he turned to Tolomon, who was sitting up straighter. “You, sir, truly do have a remarkable recovery time.”

“I believe Captain Luiz will check me personally tomorrow. We shall see whether my assignments need to be arranged as I recover,” Tolomon said, his voice taking on a more professional tone.

“Might that happen?” Indenuel asked, his heart beating faster in anticipation.

Tolomon gave him a pointed stare. “We shall certainly see.”

“You and Indenuel both are welcome to stay as long as needed. The militia is still guarding the house, so there is no need to rush home or switch assignments yet.”

“Thank you, sir, for your hospitality,” Tolomon said.

“I dare say, you, Nathaniel, and Carlos were far too acquainted with this room. I’ll be happy to see you leave this room as healthy as ever,” Martin said.

“A blessing Nathaniel and Carlos had a healer for a father, or we never would have survived our childish antics,” Tolomon said.

Martin smiled before bowing. Tolomon bowed back as he left the room. Indenuel paused, long enough to realize Rosa was still here and maybe he should find a way to excuse himself when she gave a curtsey. “I must return as well, Tolomon. It has been a pleasure remembering old times with you.”

“I feel the same. Thank you,” Tolomon said.

She left with her two handmaids, not looking at Indenuel, even though he was looking at her. Their footsteps hardly receded down the hall when Tolomon threw the blankets off and headed straight for him. A panic hit, one that was instinctual. Tolomon was charging straight for him. He forgot, for a moment, that the man wouldn’t actually kill him.

“Alright, alright. I know you might be upset,” Indenuel said as he backed away, trying to reach for the door.

Tolomon grabbed the front of Indenuel’s shirt with both hands and pinned him against the wall, his feet dangling off the ground. He tried to keep a balance, but the only thing holding him up was Tolomon’s grip against his shirt. He grabbed his fists, trying to loosen them, but that was impossible. “When Captain Luiz says I’m dead, then I’m dead, you understand?” His tone was quiet, but it was impossible not to hear him.

“But you weren’t,” Indenuel said.

“It doesn’t matter! You do not risk your life for me!” Tolomon said.

“The militia was there; the Kiam were taken care of. I wasn’t risking my life at all!” Indenuel said.

“You don’t know that!” Tolomon said, his voice still dangerous as it grew in volume. “A stray arrow, another grey death, and you’d be dead! I don’t care what position or class you have, Warrior, you do not assume you’re smarter than a military captain of an army during a battle!”

“Good God, Tolomon! Look at me! I’m fine! You’re fine!”

“And don’t get me started on the blatant disrespect to the High Elders.”

Indenuel struggled again to release Tolomon’s grip on his shirt. “I don’t like this way of you saying thank you.”

“I’m not,” he hissed, the anger clear on his face. “Your life is more important than mine. How difficult is that to understand.”

“Forgive my greed, but you are the best, and I want the best to be there to help me.”

Tolomon shook his head, the anger still apparent. “I ought to request a change of assignment. I knew becoming friends was too dangerous. You cannot do this.”

“No,” Indenuel said. “No, you can’t go.”

“If it’s for the best, it’s what I will do,” Tolomon said.

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“No!” Indenuel said, hating how desperate he sounded.

Tolomon’s eyes narrowed. “And why not? It will be better this way.”

Too many things came to the surface. Indenuel’s eyes grew hot again. He did not want to cry in front of Tolomon. He’d already cried too much today.

“Please don’t leave me,” Indenuel said. “Please stay.” Another tear, one of many already shed today, fell down his cheek. He already lost his God. He couldn’t lose Tolomon too. “I’m nothing more than an orphan far from home, asked to fulfill a daunting prophecy that will… that will most likely get me killed.” The anger disappeared from Tolomon’s face, but he said nothing. “I know you’d never forgive yourself if something happened to me and you weren’t here to stop it.”

Tolomon still didn’t loosen his grip over Indenuel’s shirt. “You cannot do this. You cannot befriend me. We’ve got to stop.”

“This is what I’ve done my whole life. Take in orphans and tried to make a family out of it. I consider you my family, and I can’t let you die.”

He lowered Indenuel so his feet finally touched the floor, but he still held on to the front of his shirt. “And I cannot let you die for my sake.”

“It was proven to me yesterday I will not last long without you by my side. So, it’s more important I save you for my own self-preservation,” Indenuel said.

Tolomon’s face became focused. “I will stay on one condition.” Indenuel waited, trying not to be too eager. “You will confess to High Elder Navir about using the corruptive power of tree talking during the fight.”

He had almost forgotten about that. So many things had happened since then, but if that was all it took to keep Tolomon here, then he would agree. “I’ll do it.”

Tolomon finally let go of the front of Indenuel’s shirt. He straightened it when he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head. “Ouch!”

“I will whack you every time you choose to save me, and I will get progressively harder to deter you from doing it again. Are we clear?” Tolomon asked.

He rubbed the back of his head. “Pretty sure getting whacked does not balance out me saving your life.”

“I know. So next time you won’t be an idiot,” Tolomon said. “Do we have a deal?”

Indenuel snorted. “Deal, you idiot.” He moved his hand quickly to wipe away his tears he hoped Tolomon would pretend he didn’t see. He sighed, then gathered Indenuel up in a tight hug. He closed his eyes, feeling like these kinds of hugs were going to be few and far between.

“Thank you,” Tolomon said quietly before releasing him. “And if you tell anyone what I said, I will deny it.”

Indenuel cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his head. “Yeah, yeah. I won’t. You’re too terrifying to disobey.”

Tolomon’s laugh was short and dry. “Clearly not, you stubborn ass.”

***

“I mean, at least you have a wide variety of colors to work with,” Ari said, reading from a book. “The problem is the dress can only be that one color.”

Inessa was standing in the back room as Tima finished measuring her. She was still wearing her concubine dress, since it wasn’t nearly as elaborate, and Tima assured her she could get the correct measurements without her needing to be in her underdress.

“I can work with trim, no?” Tima asked.

“Gold and silver, one or the other,” Ari said from the book. “And there’s the question of modesty. All the way up to the neck, down to the wrists, and down to the floor. They even strongly encourage the shoes not to be seen.”

“Mmm,” Tima said, the light of creativity in her eyes. “That will be fun.”

“I’m glad you think so,” Inessa said as she measured how long it was from her waist to the floor. “Shoes are the only thing I am allowed to be adventurous in.”

“Tima, you genius!” Adosina said, walking out of the changing rooms. “What new work of art is this!”

She stepped out in a glorious gown. It looked grey, but in a different light it seemed like the softest touch of blue. The intricate patterns made Inessa catch her breath.

“Ari? Can you pin her?” Tima said.

Ari ran over to Adosina, gushing as she finished tying the dress. Tima picked up the paper that had Inessa’s measurements.

“Thank you for doing this,” Inessa said.

“Addy is one of my dearest friends,” Tima said. “She was the one that got me this building here in the city. She even paid for half of it.” Inessa glanced at Adosina, who was talking boisterously with Ari. “She told me not a lot of tailors will work with you,” Tima said as she helped Inessa off the raised platform.

“Many of the dress makers here in the city don’t want to waste their time on concubine dresses,” Inessa said. “As Ari noticed, there’s an entire book on what we can’t wear, and the fine for breaking the rules are pretty steep.”

Again, Tima’s eyes gleamed with creativity. “Don’t you worry, Inessa. You will go to the balls and the socials, and every single man in that room will be jealous they can’t touch you.”

Inessa smiled and immediately thought of Indenuel. She shouldn’t have, but she did, and her heart glowed with excitement. Then she remembered Fadrique, and a part of her shriveled again. She didn’t want Fadrique’s eyes on her.

“I have to say, Inessa. Your eyes are incredible. I am going to use that to my advantage,” Tima said, looking like she was sketching on a paper.

Inessa touched her cheek, smiling. “Thank you.”

“Give me a week, and I will have your new wardrobe,” Tima said.

“Charge it to my father,” Adosina said from the other side of the room.

“I could not possibly charge you a copper, Addy.”

“Stop it, Tima. I’ve stolen enough of your glorious artwork to pay back the loan I gave you tenfold,” she said, picking up the skirts of the dress and admiring it.

“I cannot possibly take from the woman who gave me my dream,” Tima said.

“Ah, but you see, this is Inessa, not me.”

Tima only shook her head. “I don’t think you understand the opportunity you’ve given me.” She took Inessa’s wrist. “Do you see how gorgeous she is? She wears one of my designs and all the concubines in the city will flock to my dress shop. Then I will really have the money to payback your loan tenfold.”

Adosina laughed. “Alright, alright. I will trust your instincts.”

Tima smiled as she dropped Inessa’s hand. “Thank you.”

Adosina picked up her skirts. “I shall change back. Thank you, Tima. You are-”

“A genius. I know,” Tima said.

Ari gathered more of the skirt, tenderly helping Adosina carry it into the changing room. As soon as she was in the changing room, Tima started taking down spools of cloth and silk down. She lifted them, eyeing the colors next to Inessa.

“Addy has a lot more capacity to forgive than I ever would. I don’t think I could ever bring my father’s concubine with me shopping.”

Inessa’s face had grown warm through a lot of this experience, but this was the first time it turned blazing hot. She looked down. “We don’t talk about it much.”

“I wouldn’t either. It must be hard, though, pretending like it isn’t happening.”

“Being a concubine has brought my family great riches and prosperity,” Inessa said.

Tima raised an eyebrow. “Have they?” She didn’t answer. It is what her servants read to her from Jina’s letters, but Jina was always lying to her. “I know of a gentleman who has grown quite fat on the wealth his daughters have created for him. Doesn’t do a single thing to help the city. As soon as his twin girls were old enough, Fadrique swooped them up and the father hasn’t worked a single day of his life.”

Inessa involuntarily shuddered at the mention of Fadrique’s name. Tima noticed. “How’d you get the bruise on your wrist?” Her voice was far quieter.

She tugged at the sleeve to cover her wrist. “It’s nothing.”

“Hmm.” Tima took out a roll of velvet that was such a deep purple it looked black. “And as a good citizen of Santollia City, I will of course believe you, and force the conversation to drop.” Tima took out a small sampling and placed it over Inessa’s shoulders. “Yes. You’re eyes, Inessa. Such a stunning green!” She again mumbled her thanks. Tima set the spool aside and pulled out three more. She turned to Inessa, her voice as quiet as ever. “As the citizen I want to be, know you can always find a safe place here at my dress shop if you need to get away.”

“Martin didn’t do this,” she said, glancing at the dressing room Adosina went into. She didn’t know why she needed to defend him like this, but if Tima and Adosina were such good friends, she didn’t want her to think he was a bad person. “He’s not like that.”

“One of the others did it, though?” Tima finished for her. Again, she tugged the sleeve to cover the bruise. “My offer still stands. If you need a safe place to be, my dress shop is always open. And if it’s during the night, I live above my husband’s shop on the other side of the street. We are here, no questions asked if that’s how you want it to be.”

Adosina walked out of the changing room, smiling brightly, chatting with Ari about wedding plans and what her dress would look like as they moved to the front of the store.

Inessa reached out, feeling Tima’s hand and giving it a squeeze. She had been touched by the kindness of a woman she had just meet, and she had a desire to make sure all the concubines would come to her. “Thank you, Tima.”

She smiled and squeezed Inessa’s hand back. “I never want anyone to fear for their lives as long as I can help them.” She checked a few more spools of material before she was satisfied. Adosina came from the front of the shop, smiling brightly. “Thank you, Tima! Shall we return next week?”

“I will have most of the dresses ready to be measured at that time. Thank you, Addy.”

“No, thank you. It was wonderful to see you again! Send word to my mother about wedding arrangements for Ari,” Adosina said.

“You are far too kind to Ari. She will have a bigger wedding than many of us could possibly dream,” Tima said.

“Ah, if divorce wasn’t so expensive, you could divorce your husband and get married again!” Adosina said. “Then we’d throw an incredible party!”

Tima laughed. “And you assume I’d be marrying the same man if I had the opportunity to divorce him?”

“What scandalous thoughts you have, Tima!” Ari said.

Tima only shrugged.