“You couldn’t trust ca’Cellibrecca to keep those promises,” Varina told her. “He’s his marriage-vatarh’s son, all the way through.”

“Ca’Cellibrecca would be bound to keep a public pledge, as well as his vows to Cenzi.”

“You have more more faith in him than I do,” Varina answered. That caused Ana to smile.

“Strange to hear a Numetodo speak of faith,” she said, her hand reaching out to touch Varina’s shoulder through her tashta. She laughed pleasantly. “But I understand your concern and your skepticism. I ask you to trust me-if it came to that, I will make certain you, Karl, and all your people are protected.”

“ Will it come to that?” Karl interjected. He’d watched Ana’s hand as if wishing she were touching him. “You think there’s a chance, Ana?”

She looked at the paper in her hand as if searching for an answer there, then turned to drop the scroll on a nearby table. It made little sound-a strange thing, Varina thought, for something so heavy with import. “I don’t know,” Ana said. “There’s no love lost between Allesandra and her brother-given how long Allesandra was here with me while both of them were growing up, they’re more strangers than siblings, and the way Hirzg Jan treated Allesandra when he did ransom her…” Ana shook her head. “But I don’t know what Allesandra wants anymore, or what her desires and aspirations might be. I thought I knew once, but…”

“You were a matarh to her,” Karl said, and Ana laughed again.

“No, I wasn’t that. Maybe an older sister or a tantzia. I tried to be someone she could be safe with, because the poor child was all alone here for far too long. I can’t imagine how much that hurt her.”

“You were wonderful to her,” Karl persisted. Varina watched Karl’s hand reach out to take Ana’s. It hurt to watch the gesture. “You were.”

“Thank you, but I always wonder if I could have done more, or better,” Ana said. She moved her hands slowly away from his. “I did what I could. That’s all Cenzi can ask, I suppose.” She smiled. “We’ll see what happens, won’t we? I’ll keep you informed if I hear any more news.”