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be careful.
Have you ever met anyone more careful than me?
Well, I don t know. While we ve been standing here talking you ve almost let the Princess out of sight.
Talon glanced up to see that Lyris was right. Shasta and Bria had nearly disappeared into the palace
gardens. Automatically, she and Lyris quickened their pace to catch up.
My child, on the throne.The very idea was so preposterous Talon wanted to laugh. She couldn t imagine
herself giving birth to a child, much less participating in the act that would create one to begin with. And
despite Lyris s fears, Talon would never dream of turning against the King, or against the Princess.
Besides, Talon had no political ambition. She didn t want the throne. All she wanted was for her sisters
to live safe, happy lives. With Lyris on her way to becoming a priestess, all that remained was for Bria to
marry well and settle down with a family. When Shasta also eventually married, Talon would be left truly
free at last.
And then what?The future wasn t something Talon liked to dwell on often. She didn t know what she
was going to do once the Princess no longer had need of her. She supposed she could continue her
service in the royal guard. Talon had too much of the soldier in her to be happy with any other way of
life. But without her sisters and the Princess to protect, what would she really have to live for?
She pushed those depressing thoughts to the back of her mind. The point was, though she might not
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know exactly what her future plans were, they definitely did not include having children, overthrowing the
King, or laying claim to the throne. Of that much, at least, she was certain.
Chapter Twelve
You re really not coming? Shasta stared at her guardian in surprise.
Talon shifted his weight, suddenly appearing somewhat self-conscious. King Soltran does give me this
one night every Firstmoon. I thought I would go ahead and take it. Unless it s not all right with you?
Well& no& I mean, of course, it s all right. It s just that this is the first time you ve actually volunteered
to take the time off.
Talon s eyes slid over to where Erinda was clearing away the remainder of the afternoon s luncheon.
Yes, well, I have plans.
You have plans? Since when do you haveplans ? What are they, anyway? Are you going to sit up here
all night sharpening your sword into a toothpick?
I could if I wanted to, he retorted, but there was amusement in his tone. Are you sure you ll be all
right with the captain?
After what happened last winter, I m not letting Captain Vaughn out of my sight, Shasta asserted.
Talon grinned. Better stay away from the wine, too.
She gave him a little kick in the shins. Oh, shut up. But her scowl quickly melted into a grin that
matched his. I ll be just fine. Really. It s about time you loosened up a little and had some fun.
Erinda made a funny noise from the sitting room, and Shasta glanced at her. Erinda, are you ill?
The chambermaid coughed into a handkerchief. No, Your Highness. Just a touch of a cold. She
looked over at Talon and coughed again, her cheeks pink.
Shasta moved to feel the chambermaid s forehead with one hand. Your face is all flushed! Perhaps you
ought to take the evening off as well. I don t want you to get sick. This seemed to set her off again, and
she coughed violently into her handkerchief. Shasta patted her on the shoulder. I want you to take it
easy tonight. She turned back to her guardian, noticing for the first time that his cheeks were also rather
red. Talon, you re not looking so well, either. Maybe you and Erinda should both take some time to rest
and relax a little tonight.
This seemed to be too much for the chambermaid, who gripped the tray in her hands and ran from the
room, coughing all the way. Shasta frowned as the door closed. I hope she s all right.
I m sure she ll be fine, Talon replied.
His voice sounded oddly tight, and Shasta peered at him closely. Well, whatever it is, I hope you don t
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catch it. If you get sick I ll be stuck in my rooms until you get better.
Before Talon could respond, a knock heralded Captain Vaughn s arrival. He crossed the room and
presented Shasta with a bouquet of roses from the royal gardens, wishing her a happy birthday.
Shasta took the flowers and inhaled deeply of their sweet scent. She had barely managed to thank the
captain when Talon asked to take his leave.
She laid the roses down on the table, intrigued by her guardian s apparent impatience. Can t wait to get
away from me, huh?
Something like that.
She narrowed her eyes at him in a mock glare. Well then, by all means, go.
He gave her a sweeping bow. Have fun at your party, Princess. And happy birthday. At the door, he
turned and said, Captain Vaughn, keep an eye on her. Don t let her drink too much wine, and if you see
Chancellor Kumire come within a stone s throw of her, break his arms for me.
You can count on it, my boy. The captain cracked his knuckles for emphasis and all three of them
laughed.
When Talon was gone, Shasta asked, Do you know what he s up to tonight, Captain?
He wouldn t tell me. Just said he had plans and that they re a secret.
A secret. Ha. Shasta turned to admire herself in the mirror. She had chosen another low-cut gown this
winter, though she d asked the dressmaker to raise the neckline a little. As much as she d enjoyed the
attention on her last birthday, she had learned that not all such attention was desirable. She straightened
the lace at her shoulders. Talon couldn t keep a secret from me if his life depended on it. We practically
spend every minute of the day together.
Vaughn bowed politely. I m sure you re right, Princess.
*
Shasta s eighteenth birthday celebration was not much different than any other before it, and she soon
found herself bored with the usual banquet-entertainment-reception routine. The food was as delicious as
ever, and the performing troupe was as talented and engaging as she expected. The music was lively, the
party guests were in high spirits, and Lyris and Bria talkative, but Shasta just couldn t get into a
celebratory mood. She felt more like snuggling under a warm blanket with a cup of tea and a good book
than parading around in diamonds and jewels and dancing the night away.
Still, she did her best to appear cheerful and energetic, trying not to let even a hint of boredom show on
her face. Her father had gone to great lengths and even greater expense to prepare this party for her, and
she wanted him to know she appreciated his efforts. So she put on her prettiest smile, and she laughed
and applauded with the rest of the audience as the performers did their work.
She was very careful not to touch even a drop of wine at the table, having learned her lesson from the
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