I hadn’t been able to ride since my house arrest, and, even if I couldn’t leave the Keep, at least I could practice riding. Kiki’s mother had sneered at my saddle, so I wanted to learn how to ride bareback. Besides, it could be a useful skill to learn. In an emergency I wouldn’t have time to saddle her.

And I needed the distraction. Bad thoughts of losing my guards and sneaking into a certain Adviser’s room in the Citadel’s guest quarters kept surfacing. I drowned the dangerous impulse. I wouldn’t risk Valek’s life for my own selfish reasons. Pulling up my sleeve, I examined Valek’s gift in the late afternoon sunlight, running a finger along its back. The bracelet even felt like a snake, although its body language seemed to indicate a protective rather than an aggressive stance.

Again, I wondered at his choice. Perhaps he had somehow witnessed my nightmares about snakes, but why make one as a present? Wouldn’t a mongoose make a better gift?

Kiki waited for me by the pasture’s gate. She nickered in greeting, and I fed her an apple before climbing over the fence. My guards took up positions outside the gate, close but not too close. They were learning.

As Kiki ate, I checked her over. She had nettles snarled in her tail, and dried mud on her belly and caked around her hooves.

“Didn’t anyone groom you?” I asked aloud, tsking.

“She wouldn’t let anyone near her,” Cahil said. He held a bucket of brushes and combs over the rail. “Seems only you can do the honors.”

I took the handle. “Thanks.” I pulled out a currycomb and began to loosen the mud on her coat.

Cahil rested his arms on the fence. “Saw you talking to the northerners today. You know some of them?”

I glanced at Cahil. A serious expression gripped his face. So his timely arrival with the supplies hadn’t been a coincidence. He had waited to ambush me with questions about the Ixians.

Choosing my words with care, I said, “Two of the guards are my friends.”

“The ones who taught you how to fight?” Cahil tried to sound casual.

“Yes.”

“What division do they belong to?”

I stopped brushing Kiki and stared at him. “Cahil, what do you really want to know?”

He stammered.

“You’re not thinking of jeopardizing the delegation are you? Planning to sabotage the meetings? Or are you more interested in ambushing them on their way back to Ixia?”

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

“That would be unwise,” I continued. “You’ll make both Sitia and Ixia your enemy, and besides…”

“Besides what?” he demanded.

“The Commander’s elite guards surround the Ambassador. It would be suicide to make a kidnapping attempt.”

“Aren’t you just full of wisdom today,” Cahil said with a sharp jab of sarcasm. “Your concern for the welfare of my men is truly heartwarming. Are you sure you’re not just protecting your northern friends? Or perhaps protecting your heart mate?”

He had to be guessing. I called his bluff. “What are you ranting about?”

“I was watching you when the delegation arrived. Although your face never moved, I saw your hand fly to that butterfly pendant under your robe. I know the one who gave that to you is here. In fact, he gave you another gift today.”

I turned back to work on Kiki, hiding my face from Cahil. “If you know so much then why are you asking me questions?”

“Who is he?” When I refused to answer, Cahil continued, “It’s the man who’s missing half of his right ear. The one who gave you the snake.”

Cahil wore such a smug expression that I laughed. “Janco? We bicker like brother and sister. No. He was just delivering the gift.”

“I don’t believe you.”

I shrugged. “Here.” I handed a wire brush to Cahil. “You can get the nettles out of her tail.” When I saw him hesitate, I added, “Don’t worry, she won’t kick you.”

We worked for a while in silence.

Cahil, though, wasn’t content with the quiet. “You’re happier now that your northern friends are here.”

“I missed them,” I agreed.

“Would you want to go back to Ixia?”

“Yes. But that’s impossible because I’m a magician.” And there was a signed order for my execution, but I thought it prudent not to mention that.

“Nothing’s impossible.” Cahil finished Kiki’s tail and began combing her mane. “When I gain control of Ixia and free the people, you would have a place by my side if you chose to accept it.”

Avoiding his unspoken question, I gave him a dubious look. “Do you still believe Sitia will support you even after they’ve been making nice with the northern delegation?”

With the passion of a mystic, Cahil said, “All my life I have been told I would rule Ixia one day. Every lesson, every interaction and every emotion was tailored to that single purpose. Even the Council encouraged me to plan and train and wait for the perfect moment to attack.” Cahil’s blue eyes radiated such a pure intensity that I almost stepped back.

“Then the north agrees to a trade treaty and they visit Sitia.” He spat the words out. “Suddenly the Commander is the Council’s friend, and my reason for existing is no longer supported. The Council has failed to realize that the Commander is deceiving them, and when he tips his hand, I’ll be there. I have many loyal followers who are equally unhappy about the Council’s dalliances with the north.”