for it. I thought it might take my mind off things."
"Will the good ladies of the Margolan court be scandalized?"
"Not one of them gets up before dawn, I promise you." Alle laughed. "And if it pleases you, I'll also stay at court. I would be happy to make introductions. It would be an honor."
Kiara glanced at Carroway, who was suspiciously interested in the reflection of candlelight on his goblet. "And you didn't have a hand in it at all," she said, raising an eyebrow.
Carroway sighed theatrically. "Guilty as charged, m'lady."
Kiara laughed. "I would be very pleased. Thank you."
Carroway beamed, and Kiara intercepted a triumphant look between Eadoin and the bard. Just then, there was a knock at the door to the small salon where they were dining. A servant went to answer. Kiara and the others turned to see Mikhail framed in the doorway, a grim expression on his face. He bowed to Kiara and gave a nod in recognition to the others.
"What's the matter, Mikhail?" Kiara asked, rising.
Mikhail looked from Kiara to Carroway. "Zachar is dead."
Carroway's eyes grew wide. "But he was well enough just two days ago!" he exclaimed. "I saw him."
"We all did. Yesterday he complained of a headache, and when Crevan went to look in on him tonight, Zachar was dead, still in his nightclothes. It's possible at Zachar's age there could have been bleeding in his head."
"So Crevan becomes the seneschal?"
"And at least for now, I'll take Crevan's place. Between us, we'll keep the palace functioning. Zachar will be missed. He was an important link for the court to Bricen's memory, and he would have been a great help to Kiara."
Mikhail's announcement brought the evening to an end. Kiara bid farewell to Carroway and Eadoin, heading back to her rooms with Cerise, Macaria, and Alle. She was surprised when Mikhail joined them.
"Something more you haven't said?" Kiara asked as Mikhail walked beside her.
"Only that I dislike the timing of Zachar's death. With Tris gone, there's no Summoner to call Zachar's ghost."
"Do you doubt Crevan's account?"
Mikhail didn't answer immediately. "I think Crevan's recount is true to what he found. That doesn't make it the whole truth."
Cerise knocked at the locked door to the Queen's suite, but Malae did not answer. Cerise knocked louder, and put her face near the door. "Malae-wake up. You've got the door locked. Let us in!" On the other side of the door, they could hear the shuffling of Tris's dogs.
When no answer came, Kiara withdrew the key from a pouch on her belt. Mikhail and the others stepped aside to let her through. The door swung open. Cerise gasped and ran ahead. Malae lay slumped in a chair beside the fire. Seanna's ghost was beside Malae, and the faint sound of her sobs broke the silence.