Page 58 of The Crown’s Temptation

I snorted. "That seems accurate."

"He said you remembered servants' names." My smile faded. "He said you made toys for orphaned children." She looked away. "He thought perhaps someday I might become your lady's maid. He thought it would be a great honor.”

Something tightened in my chest. "I never knew anyone thought of me that way."

"He did.” She laughed. “I suspect many people did.”

Silence pressed between us.

"Then why didn't you come?" I asked.

She was quiet for a long time. "Because the King of Yorali discovered what I am.”

"What are you?"

She met my eyes. "Ivakar."

CHAPTER 10

The Lady-in-Waiting

"Idon't know what that means."

"It means I'm too human for Morrath." She set the brush down and dipped the cloth in the basin before pressing it gently against my shoulder. "And too monster for everyone else."

I frowned. “I’ve heard the name. Only stories."

"They're mostly wrong."

"Then tell me the truth."

She smiled faintly. "Ivakars are stronger than humans. Faster. Harder to kill." The smile faded. “We are the weaker line of a battle bird native to Morrath. Pharikars. We are not as strong as them. We inherit just enough of their strength to frighten people, but never enough to truly protect ourselves. We were meant for farming and factories. Gentle work. Not killing.”

"So neither side wants you."

"Exactly."

The room fell quiet except for water dripping back into the basin.

"I thought Morrath trapped everyone born here."

"It does."

I blinked. "But you were born in Veynar."

She shook her head. "No. I was born in Tearsar."

That only confused me further. "I don't understand."

"My mother was born in Morrath." She worked carefully through the knots in my hair. "She was a midwife." She paused. "One winter she delivered a stillborn feeder to a wealthy family. They feared scandal. The child was illegitimate." She reached for a small bottle of scented oil. "They paid my mother for her silence."

"With coin?"

She laughed softly. "No." She met my eyes in the mirror. "With the child's blood."

My mouth went dry.

"Infant feeder blood contains enough ancient magic to cross the Blind Gate." She looked away. "Very little does."