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surveillance. As I said, I was able to come only because I’m female. My father will send one of his officers to speak for him.”
    â€œHow do you know the threats are from the Consortium?”
    â€œWho else would they be from? Who else would want to keep us in thrall to Kasi-Nawahr?”
    â€œI don’t know and I’m not going to conjecture. Now about your leaf-“
    â€œCould they send it by packet?”
    He shook his head. “Bad idea,” he said. “Any mail coming from an Avasan Independent to me or any other Varmana would be intercepted and checked.”
    â€œIf the Consortium learns of the position I’m in on Mehtar, they’ll jump to use it to their advantage.”
    â€œThen they’d best not learn. We’ll make sure your message to your father is well hidden among your drill bits.”
    â€œAnd what will my message say?”
    Jaya stood as the house lamps came on in the purple twilight. “That you’re safe, but unable to return because you lack id. That you’re under the protection of a Lord who will return you when he can. Shall we go in? I’d like you to meet my Jivinta, Mina Sarojin. I think you’ll find her a friend.”
    â€œTwo new friends in one day. I am blessed, mahesa.” She rose, pressed her palms together again, bowed and smiled.
    He grimaced. “I’d rather you not call me that.”
    She looked at him quizzically. “What should I call you then, Nathu Rai Sarojin, that won’t scandalize your family?”
    â€œJaya?” he suggested.
    She looked at him doubtfully.
    â€œJaya,” he repeated.
    â€œIt seems disrespectful for a slave to address her lord-“
    â€œLet’s not dwell on that shall we?” He moved toward the house, pausing when she didn’t move with him. Annoyance pricked him. “You don’t have to walk three paces behind me,” he said, without looking at her, and continued toward the house.
    She was beside him when they reached the sliding glass panels that opened into the solarium, and gave him an odd look when he held them open for her. He led her through the core of the palace toward the wing occupied by Jivinta Mina. On the second floor she nodded at one of the uniquely decorated doorways.
    â€œThat’s the room I woke up in.” She hesitated a moment, then asked, “Is yours in this part of the house?”
    â€œYes,” he said, and gestured at the one next to it. “That one.”
    A look at her very expressive face told him she hadn’t asked the question with the intent of offering to share her bed; a disappointment. Now she appeared to be rummaging through an obviously troubled mind for something to say.
    â€œWhat, Anala?” he asked. “Speak plainly.”
    â€œNathu Rai,” she said, “I realize that as my ... lord you can command me as you wish. But, I would beg you-“
    â€œYou don’t need to beg, Anala. Your honor is as sacred to me as it is to you.” It was an ambiguous statement, but it seemed to satisfy her. He’d be a liar to deny the kinetic attraction he felt to her, a hypocrite to protest that he would not act on it if the opportunity presented itself. That oath left the sacredness of her honor entirely up to her.
    oOo

    Mina Sarojin was enjoying a light supper when Jaya brought Anala into her suite. He hadn’t gotten a word out before her bright, raptor eyes found and fixed on the Avasan.
    â€œAh! You are right, Gauri, she is stunning. Such coloring!” She swung aside the carved wooden tray that held the remains of her meal and sat eagerly forward in her cup chair. “What’s your name, child?”
    Anala, immediately impressed with the Jivinta, presented her with the respectful greeting—palms out, palms together, a slight bowing of the forehead to her fingertips. “It’s Anala, Rani.”
    â€œAnala.” The old woman nodded as if she liked the