The Empress had taken Shirin into a small room off the main corridor, away from the noise of the garden. Shirin stood with her hands clasped in front of her, very still.
The Empress closed the door gently behind her.
For a moment neither of them spoke. Outside, faintly, the musicians played on.
"Your father hasn't told me everything," the Empress began, keeping her voice low. "But I know enough to understand part of his reasoning." She paused. "What I'm about to tell you cannot leave this room. Not yet."
Shirin turned. Her eyes were dry, but only just. She nodded once.
"Sofia is pregnant." The Empress let the words settle. "Your brother will be a father. We will be grandparents. And you, an aunt."
Her face, for a moment, softened entirely — a warmth in it that was real and uncomplicated. Then she looked at her daughter, and the warmth faded into sympathy.
She pulled Shirin into her arms without asking. Shirin let her and didn't pull away.
