Marie-Fey noticed Maanah before Maanah realised she'd been spotted.

She was still in the parlour with Gharam.

Gharam had never touched a piano before and yet she was one of the fastest people Marie-Fey had ever seen pick up the scales. Within two hours, her delicate fingers flew up and down the keys without a single wrong note.

It was very impressive.

So, Marie-Fey played out a few basic, single-hand pieces for her then got up from the stool and stood by the side of the piano so Gharam had space and so Marie-Fey could watch her progress.

She wasn't sure when Maanah arrived, but her lady didn't announce her presence and Marie-Fey didn't register it when she realised she was there.

She kept her head down to focus on the keys and only looked in Maanah's direction through her lashes.

Maanah's expression was interesting.

It was dark – unimpressed perhaps? Or maybe plain old dislike.

And it was notably directed towards Marie-Fey.

She had seen that look once before, recently actually, the day Zaydan had arrived.

And possibly a few times before that, usually when she and Maanah had had a disagreement and she didn't think Marie-Fey was watching.

They hadn't had a disagreement though.

Her hand subconsciously drifted to her stomach as she dropped her eyes back to Gharam's hands.

And then she realised she was thinking back on the pain she'd experienced when he body had been rebelling against the whole poisoning episode.

She didn't let the thought continue any further and focused solely on the music as Gharam finished the last little segment.

"Well done. Very pleasing to the ear. You're a natural," Marie-Fey said, straightening and openly directly her attention to Maanah.

Maanah's expression was smooth and impassive, as it usually was, not a negative emotion in sight.

"Hello Maanah," Marie-Fey said as Gharam rushed to her feet.

"Maanah, did you hear?" Gharam said, excitedly, spinning towards her, "Is it not the prettiest instrument?"

"I heard, you're very talented," Maanah replied, and meant it, smiling at Gharam.

Gharam curtsied to Marie-Fey then beckoned Maanah over so she could demonstrate just how fast her fingers could fly through the scales.

Maanah smiled again, humouring Gharam for a moment, before turning to Marie-Fey.

She now looked concerned.

"You have something to tell me," Marie-Fey observed simply, taking a seat and gesturing to the tea set that had been put out.

Maanah nodded as she set about making a fresh cup.

"It's Zaafira."

"And what is she up to now?"

"She's talking about travelling to your homeland with you."

"Indeed? I didn't think she'd take up the offer."

Maanah looked at her, more concerned that ever. "Do you really want to bring that woman with you?"

"Lord no, what a bane upon my patience. But I invited her, so if she wishes to accompany me, she's welcome to."

"My Lady, I don't think it's a good idea. What if she does something to you?"

"You believe she's behind the poisoning?'

Maanah chewed on her lower lip for a moment. It was a rare tick for hers, only appearing when something really bothered her. It should have been unbecoming and tarty, but she made it work.

"Do you really believe her?" she asked.

"I really believe her," Marie-Fey confirmed.

"Then no, I do not believe she is behind the poisoning... she's just Zaafira."

Marie-Fey smirked and accepted her tea.

"I think she will struggle to do anything drastic to me when I'm at home." Marie-Fey gave Maanah a smile over her teacup. "No one is on her side over there."

Maanah and Gharam glanced at each other.

"This is true," Maanah conceded.

"If you're so concerned, why not join me?"

Her ladies looked at her, startled.

"We'll go," Gharam said, delighted.

"We can't," Maanah snapped, shooting Gharam a look before looking at Marie-Fey again. "You know this, My Lady, none of us should be seen by the outside world anymore. Those are the rules. You break them every time you walk through those gates. The fact that Zaafira is even talking about it is madness. We cannot leave."

"And who is going to stop you?"

"Our Master."

Marie-Fey laughed. "Who is going to tell him?"

"Lord Zayda—"

"Zaafira literally put it to him to sneak her out with me. If I'm taking a high-ranking lady of the palace, I'm sure I can drag you two along."

Maanah wasn't happy. She was downright distressed.

But then Gharam gently nudged her elbow and smiled up at her.

"Let's see what Our Lady can make happen, yes?" she said gently, "Wouldn't you love to see her world?"

"Why do you want to go so much? It's so far away. And so different," Maanah muttered.

"Because it's Lady Marie-Fey's world, and I want to know everything there is to know about her," Gharam said with a smile.

Maanah twisted her mouth in distaste.

"Don't pull that face, you look like Zaafira," Marie-Fey said and Maanah smoothed her expression.

"Sorry," she muttered.

Marie-Fey just waved them away. "Think it over. It's no concern of mine if you join me or not. I have loyal servants back home who have been with me since I was born. I have my father, my siblings, my friends and acquaintances. I am not interested in your company while home."

Something unpleasant flashed through Maanah's eyes but Gharam just smiled.

"Let's think on it," she agreed, tugging gently on Maanah's arm.

"Alright," Maanah muttered.

"Good, now shoo. I want some peace," Marie-Fey said – right as Mr. Larkin tore through the room with a screech and launched onto her lap – she lifting her teacup out of the way without looking.

"There's something else about Zaafira," Maanah said.

"Someone tried to poison her?"

"No."

"Shame."

"She's talking about hosting some sort of little competition between you and she tomorrow morning, when you usually join Lord Zaydan."

Marie-Fey raised an eyebrow. "What kind of competition?" she asked slowly.

"I don't know. I've only heard rumours, and no one's said anything further."

Marie-Fey frowned slightly. She couldn't imagine what Zaafira would want to compete against her with.

"I'll see if I can learn more," Maanah promised and Marie-Fey nodded.

"Yes, do so. And sabotage it if you can."

That made Maanah smile. "My pleasure," she said with a bow before sweeping out, Gharam following with a curtsy.

Marie-Fey didn't find out what said competition was until the following morning however.

It wound Maanah up to no end that she hadn't been able to get advanced information about it but everyone else was also apparently kept in the dark.

When she cornered one of Zaafira's maids – Gharam having to stop her flattening the other girl against the wall – the girl just said that Zaafira had discovered something interesting and thought Marie-Fey might find some amusement in the game.

That was all Maanah could get out of her without resorting to something less savoury and Gharam hadn't allowed that, instead dragging Maanah back to Marie-Fey's palace to update her.

So, Marie-Fey had to wait.

She didn't see Zaydan again that day so she couldn't ask him – though she wasn't sure he'd tell her anything. He was attentive to Marie-Fey, but his loyalty lay with Zaafira.

As it was, when Marie-Fey arrived at the range the following morning, the archery targets were still in place but two plinths had been set up closer to the archers' positions. A vase had been set on either plinth.

The archery equipment hadn't been put out but Marie-Fey almost froze when she saw what was taking their place.

Zaafira was stood were Zaydan usually stood, one hand on her hip, the picture of ease and confidence and beauty as she spoke to one of her maids.

And in her other hand was held the coiled length of a whip.