SELECT

“My parents were people of power and influence in Chiran for many years. They chose to remain childless. It wasn’t like my mother couldn’t get pregnant or carry a child to term. She simply didn’t want children, so she did whatever she could to avoid the possibility, and I believe she aborted one or more children before she became pregnant with me. By then, she was nearing the time when having a child would no longer have been an option—or a curse—or whatever it was she thought it might be.”

She closed her eyes. When she reopened them, she met the Oathtaker’s gaze. “Over the years, my parents assisted Zarek in his plans for Chiran—in his plans to expand Chiranian influence in the world. As you no doubt know, the emperor . . . Well, he doesn’t think anyone should live anywhere unless they live in the manner he desires.”

“What do you mean?”

“He wants to control everyone and everything. And to help, he’s created a common enemy for his people—an enemy on which he can blame anything that goes wrong in Chiran.”

“What’s that?”

“Oosa.”

Marshall flinched.

She smiled, slowly. “I thought as much.”

“What?”

“You’re not Chiranian. You’re Oosian.”

“Why do you say that?” Chaya’s eyes mesmerized him. He fought to lift his gaze from them.

She smiled, and when she did, her eyes lit up. “Just by looking at you. You’re different. You speak differently. You hold yourself differently. You remind me . . .” She bit her lip. “You remind me of my childhood nanny.”

“Your nanny! I must admit that I didn’t expect that.”

She laughed lightly, the sound soothing, like wind chimes tinkling in the breeze. “My nanny was Oosian. She was . . . different. She held herself as one who knows her place in the world—her worth. She taught me a great deal.” Chaya closed her eyes. “But she wasn’t able to get me out of Chiran before it was too late.”

“Too late?”