Chapter 14 Summary

Briar escapes the party, considering it a waste of time, and heads out into the gardens. He asks Berenene if she minds him reshaping some of her trees, and she agrees offering him the position of imperial gardener, and promising him the title of noble, estates of his own and a dukedom. The next day, the Empress takes Sandry and the others out on her private ship to enjoy a quiet afternoon. Chime entertains them and Sandry watches as the Empress talks to Briar and Tris, and Rizu sits with Daja - their intimate joy obvious. Sandry and her siblings have a quiet dinner together and Briar works on reshaping a miniature willow for Berenene. For the next two weeks, the four mages are kept busy with the schedule the Empress creates. Sandry naps before the Lairan ambassador's ball and later, Fin arrives...