"I'm sorry." Belaren put a cautious, awkward arm over his sister's slim shoulders. "I should've been here."

To Esmera's surprise, Lady Varali didn't scowl or shove Belaren away, but she kept her eyes on her unconscious brother. "As the second-born child, I was always going to succeed Ajai if he couldn't continue his duties for some reason. I don't blame you for my birthright...but I would've liked for you to be here with me. It was" —Lady Varali took a shaky breath— "it was a lot to do alone. Amma and Daksh were here, of course, but it wasn't the same as having you, who knew what it meant to be a Vinsingh as well as I did. Hansika was just born...it wasn't a good time for me. For anyone in the family." She swallowed.

Esmera looked at the ground. It was easier than looking at this man she might've known if life hadn't been so cruel to them both, than looking into the faces of the sister and brother who had resigned themselves to losing him.

Belaren held Lady Varali tighter. "I remember all those days we spent up in the mango tree, gorging ourselves on the fruits." A half-smile settled onto his mouth. "Then Amma would call us for supper, and we wouldn't have an appetite."

Lady Varali gave a choked laugh, flipping a lock of her black hair that had fallen over her shoulder behind it. "We were so carefree then. We didn't fear anything, not even gravity." She looked up at Belaren then over at Esmera and Tauram, eyes fierce though they were filled with tears. "If it's a memory walker you need, I'll help you."

Belaren blinked. "We didn't say we needed a memory walker."

Esmera shot him a warning look. They did need a memory walker, and if Lady Varali was willing to offer her aid, they shouldn't play games with her. They didn't have that kind of time.

"You said you needed a favour from Ajai. I figured the rest out myself." Lady Varali's eyes bored into her brother. "I know Ajai was more powerful than me, but there's nothing he can do for you now. I am the only trained memory walker in this house."

Belaren raised his eyebrows. "We haven't even told you why we need a memory walker."

Lady Varali's hardened with the strength and determination she had wielded when single-handedly took over an estate and a state. "Ajai wouldn't want me to turn you away empty-handed if you came seeking his help. Besides, I've taken on enough of his responsibilities. What's one more?"

But this wasn't just one more of Ajai's responsibilities. This was something that could be labelled treason, a right to undo a wrong that wouldn't be seen as such by everyone.

Esmera, Tauram and Belaren exchanged a look. In their eyes, Esmera read the same thought she had—that the less Lady Varali knew, the better. The family had known too much loss, and they couldn't afford to have their safety compromised if King Ruagu found out about their involvement in Esmera and Tauram's mission. He may not harm them if they couldn't give him the information they wanted about the rightful king's movements, but he seemed so ruthless that even that wasn't a guarantee.

"I would like to discover the truth about the weapon possessed by my family," Esmera blurted out.

Lady Varali frowned. "The one they were killed because of?"

Esmera nodded. "I don't know who had them killed and where the culprits are now, but they might retaliate against me and anyone else who's involved if they find out I'm looking into it. There are dangers in this mission, and I understand if you don't want to—"

"I'll heighten security across my lands and my estate in anticipation of any threats." Despite everything Lady Varali had to lose, despite everyone who was counting on her, she kept her chin up and her back straight even though she may be putting everything she cared about at risk for a brother who had abandoned her. "Where can I meet you?"

This time, it was Tauram who spoke, his voice low and solemn. "The Finnaaz estate tomorrow at midday."

"Midday it is." With a nod, Lady Varali blinked away her tears and returned to her steadfast self.

Esmera wished she could ward away her emotions as easily, but Lady Varali probably had more practice. She'd had to control her feelings for years, for all the people who relied on her.

Lady Varali led Esmera and her friends back to the other end of the room. She knocked on the chocolate slab door twice, and the guards opened it to let them out. They followed her in solemn silence down the stairs.

Suddenly, the bright designs decorating Vinsingh Manor didn't seem as beautiful and enchanting as they had been the first time Esmera walked past them. They seemed sad given the tragedy the family had faced, mournful with the loss of its rightful lord even though Lady Varali had stepped into his shoes, as formidable as he had been or maybe even more so. They seemed a veneer of beauty to cover the devastation and heartbreak that was more a part of this house's walls than they were.

Lady Varali blazed a rapid path into the dining room. Half the table's occupants had abandoned it. Only Lady Hetal and Daksh, Lady Varali's husband, remained, clasping their hands on the table as they made quiet, polite conversation.

Lady Varali's sharp eyes scanned the table as she noticed the same thing Esmera had. "Where are the children?"

"They finished their breakfast and went up to Rihan's room to play," said Lady Hetal.

Lady Varali pursed her lips, but seeing the three empty plates where each of the children had been seated, she couldn't argue with that. The children had probably gulped down their food just so they could be on time for their game, maybe even done it when Lady Varali wasn't around to refuse them.

Esmera couldn't help but smile at that. Even children in this world were perfecting the art of avoiding the strict parent. Maybe Milatanur wasn't as different from Arkōsāra as Esmera had initially thought. 

"You can join us for breakfast if you'd like," said Lady Varali, making a sweeping gesture that was far more gracious than her initial invitation to sit around the table.

Belaren shook his head. "We ate just before we came here, but thank you."

"Can I offer you some tea or just company?" Lady Varali tilted her head. "We haven't seen you in a decade. I'm sure Amma has a lot of questions." That look in her eyes told Esmera she did as well.

Any sister would wonder what her brother had done with himself in the last ten years, what was new in his life.

"We'd love to stay a little longer, but we have a lot to do." Belaren cleared his throat.

Lady Hetal's face fell, but Lady Varali's made no expression.

It occurred to Esmera that Belaren's refusal of their invitation might be rude in this world and among people of such high status, but they really did have a few tasks to see to in order to defeat King Ruagu by Jilhari's deadline. If only they could tell Belaren's family the true extent of what they were facing, of what they all were facing, but they couldn't.

They'd have to settle for being rude if it would protect the Vinsinghs in the long run.

Belaren must've noticed the look on his mother's face because he smiled at her before looking back at his sister. "If you ever need anything, you know where to call if you want to find me."

"No, I don't." Lady Varali raised her eyebrows, so like her brother that Esmera had to blink to remind herself that she wasn't Belaren.

"I'm living at Tauram's cottage in the mountains," said Belaren.

Lady Varali narrowed her eyes in thought. "The one near Parnakshi?"

Belaren nodded.

Lady Varali smiled. "I might have the number lying around somewhere."

"I'm sure you do." Belaren grinned. "You used to call there to reach me all the time."

"I did, didn't I?" Lady Varali laughed. It was the unlikeliest sound to come out of her mouth, but it suited her. It was like bells ringing through the mountains. It brightened her face and illuminated her dark, serious eyes. "To be fair, you were there more than you were at home."

Belaren chuckled. "I can't argue with that."

Lady Varali smiled as she looked around the group. "Well then, until tomorrow, everyone."

"Thank you for your help," said Esmera.

Ajai was unconscious, and if Lady Varali had been reluctant to replace his assistance with hers, Esmera's trip here would've been for nought, and she and her team would've had to track down another memory walker, which would've wasted another day at least.

Lady Varali had no idea how much they needed her, and she had still stepped up to the task.

"Anything for family, which these two morons, unfortunately, are to me." She smiled at Tauram and Belaren.

"Hurtful." Tauram touched a hand to his chest, feigning feeling in his familiar way.

Esmera suppressed a smile, but Lady Varali was unsuccessful.

"I'm sure you'll get over it." She patted Tauram's shoulder.

"Touché." He grinned.

Belaren rolled his eyes at Tauram then kissed Lady Varali's forehead. Her eyes followed him across the room as he went to bid his mother farewell also with a kiss.

Esmera didn't blame her. The last time she had taken her eyes off her brother, he had disappeared for a whole decade.

"You must come to visit soon." Lady Hetal may not be the head of the Vinsingh household, but she knew how to give orders as well as her daughter did. Her words weren't an invitation but a command.

"Of course, Amma. Once we've resolved the business we must sort out, I'll come by so often you'll get sick of me."

"I'll never get sick of you, my son." Lady Hetal smiled, pinching Belaren's cheek like he was a child.

Belaren let out a cry of protest, but he wasn't fooling anyone. It was his smile that gave it away. He was as happy to be back at Vinsingh Manor as they were to have him, and Esmera could tell he would dethrone any king and meet any goddess's demands to return here for good.

Belaren shook Daksh's hand. Esmera and Tauram waved goodbye to their hosts as Belaren led them back outside, into the day that waited for them to make it their own.