The necklace’s numerous purple beads glinted in the light of the chandelier overhead. Akna slid the necklace across the dining table, where Anita snatched it up. She ran it through her fingers, then held it close to her eyes. “Amethyst. Very pretty.” She held it to her neck, adjusted it so it hung just above the hem of her dress over the curve of her chest. “What do you think?”

Akna contemplated it for a moment, admiring Anita’s shape more than the necklace. “I think it would look very good on you.”

Anita raised her eyebrows a little and gave a slight smile. “Are you giving it to me?”

Akna flinched. “It’s not mine! It’s Felitïa’s. You know that.” She reached across the table.

Anita lowered the necklace and laughed. “I know. I’m kidding. I wouldn’t be able to wear it unless somebody had died anyway. You’re so paranoid.” She passed the necklace back to Akna.

Akna dropped her hand to the table, only barely clutching the necklace, and lowered her head. “Sorry. I’m constantly paranoid these days. I’m either worried about hallucinating things or your brother trying to kill me. Or both.”

Anita waved her hand. “Don’t worry about Danel. He’s all talk. He won’t actually do anything. You’re safe.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. He can’t harm me. I’m worried I’ll kill him if he tries. That would probably get me in trouble.”

Anita made a mock gasp, and put her hand to her face. “You’re terrible.”

“I know.” Akna grinned. “Would you still like me if I killed your brother?”

Anita’s eyebrows scrunched. “That has to be the strangest question anyone has ever asked me. I should probably be offended, but somehow I’m not. Don’t get me wrong. I’d be upset if he died, and I’d prefer you didn’t kill him, but I have to admit…” She glanced to either side of her, then leaned in closer to Akna. “He’s a total ass.” She blushed at her language, and her face dimpled in that cute way it did whenever she got embarrassed—which seemed to happen a lot when Akna was around. “The truth is, I don’t particularly like my brother, but you know that. But please don’t kill him.”

Akna smiled at her. “Don’t worry. If he’s stupid enough to attack me, I’ll just hurt him a little, just enough to make him squeal like he did last time.”

Anita put a hand to her face and giggled. “I wish I’d been there for that.”

“I’ll try to arrange things so you’re there next time.”

They stared at each other for a moment, then broke into laughter.

Anita pointed to the necklace. “Tell me more about this necklace. You were so eager to show it to me. You said Lord Padara gave it to Felitïa. What are you doing with it?”

Leaning back in her chair, Akna threaded the necklace of prayer beads through her fingers, trying to get the amethysts to sparkle in the light. “Felitïa wasn’t sure she could fully trust Lord Padara. She was probably just being paranoid. Bit like me. Anyway, she asked me to store it away with our other things in the hold of the ship we took upriver. When I got there, I had this idea I could figure out if there was a problem with them. If they were meant to hurt Felitïa, they would hurt me instead. So I took them. Just temporarily. It wasn’t stealing or anything.”

“You’d put yourself in harm’s way for Felitïa like that?”

The larger amethyst at the centre of the necklace briefly glittered. Akna tried to position it so it would do it again, but it didn’t work. “That’s what I do. I spent my whole life training to protect Queen Nin-Xoco. Now she’s dead, I guess I just need someone else to protect, so I protect Felitïa.”

“You complain about her so much.”

“Guess I do. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think she deserves protection.”

“I thought she was supposed to be protecting you.”

Akna looked up at her and smiled. “Yes, well, that’s what Ses-Izel wanted, but I don’t accept Ses-Izel’s authority.” She placed the necklace on the table again. “Let’s just say Felitïa and I protect each other and leave it at that.”

“Fair. It’s obvious the two of you care about each other even if you don’t like to admit it.” Anita reached across the table and picked up the necklace again. “Hasn’t she noticed this is missing?”

Akna shrugged. “I think she’s forgotten about it. I did for a while. We’ve been so busy. She has, at any rate. She keeps me busy doing her chores while she does...well, other ones, I guess.”

Anita giggled. “Why show me them now?”

“Just thought you might like to see them.”

Anita leaned forward, looking at Akna with raised eyebrows.

“Plus, I’ve been thinking about them recently, so yesterday…”

Anita continued to stare expectantly at her.

Akna looked to the side. “I might have been a little bad.”

“Oh?”

“Felitïa and I were at the Hall of Knowledge. We were supposed to be looking for...gods, I’m not even sure I remember exactly. We’re always looking for these really specific magical topics that Agernon sends us for. I don’t understand most of them. I just skim books looking for specific words—they change all the time—and if I find them, I hand the book to Felitïa. It’s boring. I fight exhaustion the whole time. Anyway, I came across a book about these prayer bead things.” She reached across the table for the necklace, but made certain she was slow enough for Anita to pull it away.

“These specific ones?” Anita smiled.

“No, of course not. Just prayer beads in general.” They both laughed. “Like I said, I’ve been thinking about them recently, so I started reading. Felitïa was too caught up in whatever she was reading to notice I spent most of the day checking just one book.”

“Did you learn anything?”

“A lot of history. But also different ways to use them.”

Anita’s eyes widened and she grinned.

“Ones made with amethyst are supposed to help calm the mind, help you relax.”

Anita held the necklace against her chest again. “That sounds delightful. I could use some peace of mind. Want to teach me how to do it?”

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Akna scowled playfully at her. “I was thinking of it for myself, actually. I’m the one with the sleeping issues, remember?”

Anita shrugged. “I suppose we could take turns.” She tried to keep a straight face, but her dimples were forming again. Then she laughed and Akna laughed with her. Once they’d calmed themselves, she said, “Can I watch at least?”

Akna smiled. “I wouldn’t have brought it up otherwise. Besides, I want to know if anything...happens.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know exactly, but the book says that some people have reported seeing the beads glow or float on their own. My eyes will be closed, so…”

“Basically, you’re saying I get to watch you sleep just in case your necklace starts to glow. Sounds exciting.”

Akna lowered her gaze. “I know it’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but…”

“No, that’s okay. I can honestly think of worse things than watching you.”

Akna peered up at her. She had turned her face to the side, her dimples in full form, face reddening. Akna kept her head lowered and smiled.

After a few moments of silence, Anita said, “Where should we do this?”

Akna looked about. The dining room had enough space, but was not her first choice. “Somewhere a little more private. Your family thinks I’m enough of a barbarian already. Imagine what they’ll think if they walk in on me in the middle of a meditation ritual. I just need somewhere with floor space.”

“We’ll go to my apartments,” Anita said. “I’ve got loads of space.” She jumped to her feet and hurried around the table. She held out her hand, but as Akna went to take it, she pulled it back.

“Is there a problem?” Akna asked.

“Do you mind if we try something first?”

Akna shrugged. “I only have an hour or so before I’m supposed to meet Felitïa.”

“Oh, don’t worry. This will only take a minute. I want to see something.”

Akna nodded. “Okay.”

“Just sit still and straight.”

Akna straightened up.

Anita undid the clasp on the necklace and came up behind Akna’s chair. “I just want to see what this looks like on you. It would be the perfect thing for you to wear if you kill my brother.”

Akna chuckled.

Anita put the necklace around Akna’s neck, letting the tassel fall against Akna’s chest. Her fingers lingered on Akna’s neck, just lightly touching. A shiver ran through Akna. Then Anita closed the necklace’s clasp, but her fingers lingered again, this time on Akna’s back.

Anita circled round to Akna’s side, her fingers lightly running across Akna’s back. “Obviously, we’d know better if we compared them with your dress, but it will give us an idea. Maybe I’ll have a similar necklace made to match colours better.”

Akna groaned. “About the dress.” She had spent hours a few days ago being fitted for a dress Anita had commissioned for her. Gods, Foliths were picky about the measurements of their clothing.

“What about it?”

“It’s just, I was thinking. I could—”

“You promised!” Anita removed her hand from Akna’s shoulder, and Akna immediately regretted saying anything.

“I know, I know. It’s just, I can make sure my uniform is fresh and I promise to decorate it appropriately. I’ve got this great idea for a feathered headdress and…”

Anita stepped away. “You promised. It’s just the one time. Please?”

Akna sighed, but nodded. “You’re right. Okay. I’ll wear the dress.” She peered down at the necklace. “How’s it look?”

Anita smiled. “It looks good.” She held out her hand. “Let’s go see if it works.”

Akna took Anita’s hand and rose from her chair. They stood close to one another for a moment. Then Anita led her to the doors and through the halls and rooms of the palace.

As luck would have it, they couldn’t get all the way to Anita’s room without running into Danel Belone. He was coming out of the library as they approached it to pass through. It had been a few days since Akna had last run into him, but nonetheless, it felt like she couldn’t go anywhere in the palace without encountering him. She certainly ran into him more often than she did anyone else in his family other than Anita—but she and Anita actively sought each other out.

His eyes narrowed and he scowled. “Anita.”

Anita stopped in front of him and curtsied. “Brother. You’re well?”

His eyes turned to Akna for a moment, then back to his sister. “Always. You?”

“Very well, thank you.” Anita’s words were clipped. “How’s Father?”

“The same. His illness is still not showing any sign of improving.”

Anita frowned and lowered her gaze. “I am getting worried, to be honest.”

“Nonsense,” Danel said. “He’ll recover. He just needs time.” He put a hand on her shoulder and actually seemed to look at her lovingly. Akna had seen so many disgusted looks from him, she’d grown to think he wasn’t capable of any other expressions.

“I’m sure you’re right,” Anita said.

Danel glanced at Akna again, and his usual scowl returned. He motioned his sister aside. “Anita, a word if you don’t mind.”

Anita rolled her eyes, but moved aside with him. They didn’t move very far, and Danel hissed more than whispered, so it was easy for Akna to hear what they said.

“Why do you continue to associate with that savage?”

“I’ll associate with whoever I want, Danel, and I’d appreciate if you’d stop using that word. She is anything but a savage.”

Danel glanced at Akna again, then returned his gaze to his sister. “Regardless, she is a servant at best, an Eloorin, far below your station.”

“Her Highness Princess Felitïa has made it clear that Nin-Akna is not a servant. She is royalty where she comes from and should be treated appropriately.”

Danel scoffed. “Of an illegitimate nation.”

“Give it up, Danel. Arnor has no control over Ninifin, and you know it. Now go do whatever it is you spend your time doing, and leave me and Nin-Akna alone.”

The two of them stared at each other for several moments, Danel’s scowl growing larger every second. Finally, he broke away. “Fine.” He stomped past his sister and made a point of bumping Akna along the way.

It would have been so easy to trip him or shove him against the wall again. She could have made him squeal again, like Anita had expressed an interest in seeing. It would have felt good. But she didn’t want to spoil Anita’s moment of victory over him. So Akna let him pass without response.

“Sorry about that,” Anita said, coming back beside her. “Like I said, he’s an ass.” She didn’t blush at her language this time.

Akna smiled. “That’s an understatement.” She took Anita’s hand. “Call me Akna, okay?”

A grin spread across Anita’s face. “Isn’t that something reserved only for specific people?”

“It’s a privilege given to family, friends…” She paused. “Lovers.”

“Then I give you permission to call me Anita instead of Lady Belone.”

Akna looked away from her. “I already do that.” Was she supposed to have had permission? She didn’t think Arnorin custom was like that.

Anita laughed. “I know. I just thought I’d make it formal. Come on, you have some meditating to do, and only a little time to do it in.”