She smiled uncertainly. “I don’t know . . .”
“Just one.” His smile grew even bigger, and Lilette noticed dimples on his cheeks. When she didn’t immediately say no, he bowed to her. “Don’t worry, I’ll find you.”
He turned to go before she could find the words to tell him no. He was certainly handsome, especially from behind, but she really wasn’t interested. For one thing, he was far too pretty. And for another, he wasn’t Han. She stepped inside the pavilion. Jolin was already demonstrating the amber, and Garen was glaring at her.
“Oh, that’s amazing,” Merlay said.
Tawny watched them, a suspicious look on her face. “Will it work over long distances? Does the effect wear out over time?”
Jolin rubbed her hands together in barely restrained glee. “All of that will have to be tested, but the technique itself can be easily replicated.” Though only by Jolin, for Lilette knew she always left out a key ingredient to all the recipes for her potions.
The group chattered on excitedly, but Lilette tuned them out. She was tired of feeling dull from the tinctures Bethel had given her. Tired of using them to deaden her emotions.
Lilette felt a hand on her arm. Jolin shook her head and gave her a queer look. “I said Lilette was the person who finally pushed us all onto the right path. She deserves a small share of the credit.”
Lilette shot Jolin an exasperated look.
“What? One moment of inspiration doesn’t make up for a lifetime of study.”
Lilette rolled her eyes.
Jolin straightened. “Fine. A slightly larger share of the credit. Will that do?”
Lilette didn’t care either way, but it was fun to watch her friend squirm. “I believe it will.”
“Very well.”
Merlay watched the exchange with an amused crook of an eyebrow. “With all the trouble with Harshen, Grove City has been tense. Jolin’s discovery is just the thing to boast morale. The chesli will begin to bloom tonight, and the inner courts will open to everyone for dancing and singing. Before the feast, we’ll announce Jolin’s discovery.” Merlay turned to the four wastrels waiting off to the side. “See that they’re properly dressed.
Lilette moved closer to Merlay. “I would like to speak to you about Sash, in private.”
Merlay sighed and came down. They moved off to one side. “We’re doing everything we can,” she told Lilette.
“I want to help.”
Merlay studied her. “That’s part of the reason we called you here. I have a proposal for you, but Garen has been holding out—refusing to agree. That won’t be a problem anymore.”
Lilette glanced at Jolin’s beaming face. “You’re going to make her Head of Plants?”
“We don’t have much of a choice. Even if she’s not a full keeper.” Merlay rested her hand on Lilette’s arm. “Give me a few more hours to have everything settled and I’ll tell you my plan. We’ll go from there.”
Lilette nodded, relieved to be doing something besides sitting back and watching everyone else bumble about.
Doranna stepped toward them. “I’ll take care of Lilette.”
Merlay handed her a money purse. “Very well.”
“Come with me.” Doranna turned away.
While Jolin and Harberd went with one of the other wastrels, Lilette followed Doranna from the inner courts into the city proper. Lilette paused in front of a tree with large windows featuring beautiful dresses, but the cuts and styles seemed wrong and foreign. She had a strong sense she was of two worlds and yet belonged to neither. “Not this.”
Doranna hadn’t even paused to consider the shop. “Of course not.”
They wove through throngs of people, their excited chatter about the night’s events making their voices louder and fuller than normal. Doranna stopped in front of a smaller tree.
At the familiar scent of incense, Lilette passed her and stepped inside. It was like coming home. Potted plants from the jungle, curved swords, jade combs . . . and linen sacks, the tops curled back to reveal a familiar grain. “Rice!” Lilette filled her hands with it.
A man came from the back of the shop. Seeing her, he called for his wife in Harshen. A woman emerged from behind a curtain. She wore the same style of cotton tunic and trousers that Lilette had worn most of her life.
Lilette mouth formed the familiar words of the Harshen language. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed rice.”
The woman’s face lit up. “You speak like one of us!”
Lilette smiled. “I am one of you.”
The woman’s studied her through slitted eyes, then her expression went wide. “Empress!” She dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the floor three times. A beat behind her, her husband did the same. Lilette watched them so freely offer her such an honor, knowing she didn’t deserve it.