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Michi cuddled with Kagome, holding her daughter close as Kavindra droned on about the meetings coming up. “Kavindra, do we have any word on where my granddaughters are?” she interrupted the woman’s flow.

Kavindra sighed. “Yes, Lady Nakano. The twins are being protected by the Arpathi on Annorth. It seems that someone matching the description of Eire Rezouac has them. He has been unable to find anyone to return them to their parents and according to what little information we can get off of Annorth has settled down to raise them until he can find a way to return them to Sorus.”

Michi gritted her teeth. Leonidas was interfering in her plans again. “Can we get any of the Devas onto Annorth?” she asked.

“No, my lady,” Kavindra said. “None of my sisters would even make the attempt no matter how much you offered them. Annorth is the home of the Arpathi and not a single one of us will go against them. The Assembly likewise will not tempt fate by declaring any kind of action against the Arpathi, as you learned the last two times I told you this same information.”

Michi looked up, startled. “You’ve told me this before?”

“Yes, my lady. This is the third time in the past month,” Kavindra said. “You attempted to get the Assembly to force all humans off Annorth, and then you demanded they send the CAF in to retrieve all humans off of Annorth saying that everyone living there was a criminal and wanted by the CWA. Both times the Assembly turned you down and you lost six allies because of your insistence.”

Michi put a hand to her head. “Am I losing my mind, Kavindra?” she asked fearfully.

“Lady Nakano, you barely sleep, you do not eat properly, the entirety of your existence is caught up in your daughter and in finding a way to retrieve your granddaughters. Your mind is slipping only because you do not care for yourself,” Kavindra said. “You must let the Devas care for Kagome as you have instructed us and rest. Else you will work yourself to death and then Kuen will win because you will be dead before Kagome turns sixteen.”

“I cannot have that happen,” Michi murmured. She handed her daughter over to Kavindra. She frowned. “Kavindra, how old is Kagome?”

“She is a year old, Lady Nakano. You celebrated her birthday two months ago,” Kavindra said.

“So much time has passed,” Michi said. She rose and swayed on her feet. Another Deva – Michi wasn’t sure of this one’s name – caught her before she fell. She was scooped up into powerful arms and carried to her room. There the woman stripped her down and laced her into one of her elegant nightgowns. She was laid beneath the silk coverlet and murmured promises of protection for her and her daughter fell on ears falling deaf from exhaustion.

It was a full three days later before Michi emerged from her room. Kavindra made her eat before she’d tell her anything. “We informed the Assembly you were called away on business,” Kavindra said. “We did not let on to anyone that you were ill and none of your servants were allowed to speak of it.”

“I appreciate that, Kavindra,” Michi said, feeling more like herself. “Where is Kagome?”

“Sleeping, Lady Nakano. When she wakes, I will have her brought to you,” Kavindra said.

“No need. As long as one of your sisters stays with her, I’ll be content. I wish her brought to me this evening though,” Michi said. “I have work to do and cannot do it if I have her attached to me at all times.”

“Of course, Lady Nakano,” Kavindra said, bowing.

“Now, I cannot reach my granddaughters and right now I cannot do much more to hurt my son and his wife,” Michi said. “However, I’m sure I can find some way to tighten the CWA’s hold on the Colonies even more. Bring me all the latest news from the Assembly so I can see what’s going on.”

“At once, Lady Nakano,” Kavindra said, bowing again.