The Avarii are different from the other clans on Arietus. They have no territories or buildings. They consider their enormous ships to be their lands, and they only walk on the planet when trade requires it.

Today they have requested to meet in the Pearl, one of the best brothels in the capital. The girls work here willingly, and they do no business with the traffickers who prey at the edges of the country. There is little pretense of what kind of place it is, however. There are anonymous men everywhere, and they are outnumbered by the girls wearing sheer silk and little else.

Xanthe Avarii is the youngest person the Avarii have ever promoted to admiral. She watches me with a bright, speculative eye.

“You make a strong case for a land walker. Do you really believe we are on the edge of rebellion?”

“We come closer every day. I’m not asking for much from the Avarii. Pledge to stand beside me and keep Crucis’ navy from attacking the capital when word gets out.”

“Your brother’s toy ships won’t give us a problem. But that’s not what is important to us. What about our price?”

“Once I take the throne, you will have the right to govern your ships without interference. The taxes to pass through the southern gates will stop.”

“That’s an even trade, and I think the fleet will accept it. The taxes were your brother’s bright idea, and we have wanted them eliminated for some time. Do we have a deal, then?”

I grin. “Yes, Admiral. I wish all of my allies were as straightforward as the Avarii.”

“You land walkers make things too complicated. All I need is a ship, a sword, and a willing girl.”

She eyes the young woman serving us our meal, and I get the hint.

“Of course. I am here often. Stay for the evening and tell them to bill it to my account.”

“We call that good diplomacy.”

I start to rise from the table when I hear a commotion at the door. Someone is shouting, but they are being denied entry. All in all, it’s another normal night at the Pearl. A small form staggers out of the crowd dressed in Savi riding clothes, and I realize who is standing before me.

“Perri!”

“Rasulus! I have a message for you, and I need to speak with you privately. Where are we?”

My wife looks around in shock, and I know what she is thinking.

“You’re at a brothel, pretty thing. Did you get lost?” Xanthe’s tone drips with sympathy, but I catch the gleam of interest in her eye as she steps forward.

“I was looking for Rasulus. I did not expect to find him here with a whore.”

“I’m an admiral, sweetheart. I’d stay longer and see if some nice words and some alcohol could loosen you up a bit, but I can see you have business here. Rasulus, I’ll see you another time.”

I nod at Xanthe before grabbing Perri’s arm. “What are you doing here?”

“There’s a message for you. I went up to the palace, but they said you were here. Rasulus, what are you doing in this place? Who was that woman?”

I internally consider the likelihood of getting her outside without drawing more attention. There are already people staring at us. Some of the men are more interested than I want them to be in the small Earth woman in our midst.

“Come with me.” I pull her up the stairs and into a vacant room. I lock it from the inside before turning to her. I am on the verge of asking her what in the name of the gods she is doing in the capital when I had sent her to the Savi to get away.

My instincts get the better of me. Instead of demanding an answer, I pull her into my arms. Her scent and the way she feels next to me is intoxicating. I can’t stop myself from kissing her. After a moment of shock, she throws her arms around me and kisses me in turn, her mouth as hungry as mine. I remember how good she sounds and the way she feels. The hunger that has been banked for the past two weeks roars up inside me.

Perri moans softly against my mouth. When I pull back, her eyes are dark with desire, and her mouth glistening from our passion.

“Stop!” She takes a step back. “We are not doing this now. I have a message for you.”

“Is it from the Savi?”

“No, it’s from a messenger. He says your allies are gathering. Marchan may be spotted, and Kelis definitely was. He says you must move as fast as you can.”

I question her about who the man was and how he was dressed. Things are beginning to move, and we are approaching the time when we must strike or give up. I will not allow Crucis to keep the throne. I’ll only have one chance to stop him. Despite the need for speed, I have not seen Perri in weeks, and I pause before calling for my kashak. “How did you get here?”

“I rode. Miruska tied me to Mari’s back, and we started this morning. I would have been faster if you were at home and not in a den of iniquity.”

“It’s not what it looks like.”

For a moment, I think she is going to argue with me. She shrugs and slowly offers me a tremulous smile. My heart thuds in my chest. “All right. I trust you. You have secrets. Someday you will tell them to me.”

“My love, I would like nothing more. Listen to me. I know you have your own ideas about what you need to do, but this is important. There are people I need to meet with. I cannot do what I am required to do unless I know you are safe. The Pearl, no matter what it looks like on the outside, is a good place for you to hide. Remain here until I send for you. Please. Will you stay?”

“I will. I don’t like it, but I’ll listen.”

“Thank you, my love.”

I give her another lingering kiss. My body insists I stay and make up for all the time we have spent apart. I tear myself away, stride to the door, and call for the manager of the Pearl.

“Yes, sir, how may we serve you?”

“Have my kashak brought to the back of the building. I am leaving a woman in your care. Give her whatever she wants. You know my account is good for it. But understand one thing. If I return and anyone has harmed a single hair on her head, I swear to all the gods that I will burn this place down around you.”