Zoe POV

The maid arrives at the same hour she always does, with the same unhurried efficiency, her attention on the task and not on me.

I've been watching the door since morning, waiting for this. I'd spent most of the night working through the approach—how to word it, what angle to use, what I want Vark to reveal when he comes. Because he will come. A man who has arranged everything this carefully doesn't delegate the conversations that matter.

"I'm feeling much better," ...