It looked a lot like the North Tower had—columns and floor-to-ceiling windows, tables and wooden chairs scattered about—but it wasn’t quite the same. The South Tower’s views were partially blocked by both the North and West Towers. Xihu hadn’t realized until she walked in this room that the North Tower had been slightly taller than the others.This tower was in one of the older parts of the palace, and its staircase was crumbling. Xihu had had to keep one hand on the wall as she came up, and she was careful to step on the outside of the stone stairs so that she would miss the cracked centers. At least this wing didn’t smell of smoke. The scent had gotten into everything. She could still smell it on herself. She was beginning to wonder if it would ever go away.Arianna stood at the south windows, which provided the only clear view of the city. Xihu hadn’t seen Arianna much after the disaster. She hadn’t realized that the Black Queen had hacked off her hair like a soldier’s—so short it barely covered her ears.She still wore her soldier’s clothing—the jerkin and breeches—only now she no longer hid her military bearing.
