My grandmother, the dowager queen Esmeri and spymaster of Istalam, has taken up residence in House Taresim and is holding court, summoning all manner of people to official meetings for reports. She doesn’t technically have any authority over my sisters, but none of us is stupid—she has nearly as much power now as she ever … More Royal Tea Service: Chapter 38
Iryasa stands and begins to pace as soon as the room clears. “Miyara, you are going to make Cherato do something rash.” “Yes, I’m going to push him into a mistake, and then I’m going to trap him with it,” I return evenly. “Don’t pretend this isn’t a tactic you’ve employed to great effect.” “Not … More Royal Tea Service: Chapter 23
My mind whirls from revelations of what Karekin has revealed to me, upending foundations of my understanding long processed. I don’t know what to do with this new knowledge, but I know what I’m going to do next. It’s what I should have done long before now. Yorani is excited at first—this is one of … More Royal Tea Service: Chapter 13
My world devolves into moments. I attempt to float through it all being present and accessible, at the expense of floating above and seeing how all the pieces fit into the whole of what I’m trying to accomplish. There are moments of renovations at Talmeri’s Tea and Tisanes. The old, worn sign is replaced with … More Royal Tea Service: Chapter 12
Tamak leads us swiftly and silently away from Talmeri’s. “Do you know where we’re going?” I ask. He shrugs. “They haven’t stopped yet. But we can catch up. They’re not moving that fast.” He cocks his head to the side. “No, they’re slowing down. I think it’s the bookshop.” The bookshop? Karisa has never been … More Royal Tea Service: Chapter 9
Iryasa resumes walking with me, but slower. Yorani takes the moment to scurry to my other shoulder for a different vantage point. “I always intended to meet the Te Muraka, of course,” she says. “They were another sovereign people we have only begun integrating into our own. But I admit I thought it would be … More Royal Tea Service: Chapter 5
I try not to collapse onto the couch, exhausted to my core. I ignore my awareness that this is a losing battle: Deniel hasn’t collapsed, and since I’m responsible for this, I don’t get to either. I drag myself towards his—our—kitchen. “I’m going to make some tea.” “That’s the same tone you used reading the … More Royal Tea Service: Chapter 1
Political repercussions are coming, but they are largely Saiyana’s problem. Somehow this strange group in front of me has become mine—and Ostario’s. Ostario is here at the shop to take his leave from Lorwyn, because she’s his apprentice. But the lab is fuller than just us. “I’m coming back,” Ari tells a scowling Glynis. They’re … More Tea Set and Match: Chapter 28 (Epilogue)
I wake up in a chair in our sitting room, Risteri on the floor and Lorwyn on the couch. All three of us, still together. I’m amused neither Risteri nor I managed to make it to our perfectly functional beds, but this feels correct, even if my back protests. I’m also amused that I’m the … More Tea Set and Match: Chapter 20
The day passes in a frenzy of activity; it’s almost time for the second match of the tournament, and everyone has so much to do. There are logistical preparations, training on individual skills, and learning to work together as a group. To my surprise, this challenge has made me less irritated with the tournament as … More Tea Set and Match: Chapter 18
