Esau nodded, seeming nonplussed by the topic of our conversation. “I’d like to find the Mountain Laurel that grows near the ice pack. I read somewhere that the plant can cure Kronik’s Cough. Be interesting to find out.”

“You’re not concerned that I might return to Ixia?” I asked my parents.

“Considering the week you had,” my father said, “we’re just happy you’re alive. Besides, we trust your judgment. “

“If I do go to Ixia, will you promise to visit often?”

They promised. Not wanting to prolong the goodbyes, I snatched my pack and left.

Apple? Kiki asked with a hopeful tone.

No, but I’ll get you some peppermints. I went into the barn’s tack room to search for the bag of candy. I took two and returned to Kiki.

After she sucked the candy down, I asked her, Ready to go?

Yes. Saddle?

Not this time. The Keep provided tack for the students, but it was understood that once a student graduated, he bought his own equipment.

I pulled the step stool over and Kiki snorted. I know. I know, I said. No step stool in wild. But I’m tired.

In fact, what little energy I had left leaked away with an alarming speed. Kiki and I didn’t encounter any trouble at either the Keep’s or the Citadel’s gates. We took the road through the valley for a while. I refused to look back at the Citadel. I planned to come back, didn’t I? Today wouldn’t be the last time I saw the pastel colors of the sunset reflected in the white marble walls. Right?

As the light faded from the sky, I heard the pounding of hooves on the road behind me. Kiki stopped and spun to face the newcomer.

Topaz, she said with pleasure.

Though by the molten anger and murderous expression on Cahil’s face, I knew this encounter would be far from pleasant.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded.

“That’s not your concern.”

Cahil’s face turned a livid red as he sputtered in astonishment. “Not my concern? Not my concern?”

I saw him rein in his temper. Then in a deadly rumble, he said, “You’re the heart mate of the most wanted criminal in Sitia. Your whereabouts are of the utmost concern to me. In fact, I’m going to personally see to it that I know exactly where you are at all times.” He whistled.

I heard a rush of movement and turned in time to see Cahil’s men move into defensive positions behind me. Trying to conserve my strength, I hadn’t scanned the road ahead with my magic. Hadn’t believed I would need to. Silly me.

Did you smell them, Kiki? I asked.

No. Upwind. Go past?

Not yet.

Looking back at Cahil, I demanded, “What do you want?”

“Playing the simpleton to delay the inevitable, Yelena? I guess it has worked for you in the past. You certainly played me for a fool,” he said with an eerie calmness. “Convincing me and First Magician that you weren’t a spy, using your magic to make me trust you. I fell for it all.”

“Cahil, I—”

“What I want is to kill Valek. Besides getting revenge for the murder of my family, I will be able to show the Council my abilities and they will finally support me.”

“You had Valek before and lost him. What makes you think you can kill him this time?”

“Your heart mate will exchange his life for yours.”

“You’re going to need more men to capture me.”

“Truly? Take another look.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Cahil’s men had kept their distance from Kiki’s hindquarters, but, even in the twilight, I could see that each one held a blowpipe to his mouth, aiming at me.

“The darts are treated with Curare,” Cahil said. “An excellent Sitian weapon. You won’t get far.”

Fear replaced annoyance as my heart rate increased. I had some Theobroma in my pack, but I knew if I tried to take it off my back, I would become a pin cushion for Cahil’s men.

“Will you cooperate or do I need to have you immobilized?” Cahil sounded as if he asked if I would like some tea.

Ghost, Kiki said.

Before I could understand what Kiki meant, Valek sauntered into our group from the tall grass of the plains. Everyone froze for a second in shock. Cahil gaped.

“That’s an interesting choice, love,” Valek said. “You’ll need some time to think it over. In the meantime…” Valek held his arms away from his body as he moved closer to Cahil. He had changed from his beggar disguise into the plain brown tunic and pants that the local citizens wore. He appeared to be unarmed, but I knew better, and, it seemed, so did Cahil who transferred Topaz’s reins to his left hand and pulled his sword.

“Let’s see if I have this right,” Valek continued, seeming unconcerned about Cahil’s sword a few feet away. “You want revenge for your family. Understandable. But you should know that the royal family is not your family. One thing I have learned over the years is to know my enemy. The royal bloodline ended the day the Commander took control of Ixia. I made sure of that.”

“You lie!” Cahil urged Topaz forward, lunging at Valek with his sword.

Stepping to the side with grace and speed, Valek avoided being trampled and cut.

When Cahil turned Topaz for another charge, I said, “It makes sense. Valek wouldn’t leave a job unfinished.”

He pulled back on the bridle, stopping in disbelief. “Your love for him has damaged your senses.”

“And your hunger for power has affected your intelligence. Your men are using you, yet you refuse to see the obvious.”