At least I had confirmation that he knew Rafe’s true identity. I was grateful that Griz had covered for him, but we needed so much more.

I opened my mouth to ask for one last bit of information, but he turned brusquely, his elbow deliberately catching my ribs. I doubled over, falling to one knee. He leaned down, a snarl on his face, but his voice was low and even. “We’re being watched,” he whispered. “Snap back at me.”

“You stupid oaf!” I yelled. “Watch where you’re going!”

“That’s right,” he whispered. “One bit of advice I can give you. You’d be wise to friend Aster. The urchin knows every crevice of the Sanctum as well as any mouse.” He straightened and glared down at me. “Then stay out of my way!” he bellowed as he stormed away. A group of nearby governors laughed.

I glanced across the yard and saw it was Kaden who was watching us.

He walked over and asked what Griz had wanted. “Nothing,” I answered. “He was only grunting and drooling over the haul of goods like everyone else.”

“With good reason,” Kaden answered. “It might be the last for a long while. Winter is near.”

He made it sound like a door slamming shut. In Civica there wasn’t a big difference between winter and summer, a few degrees, stronger winds, a heavier cloak, and rain. But it wasn’t enough to stop commerce or traffic. And by my calculations, winter was still at least two months off. We were only just entering autumn, the last bloom of summer. Surely winter couldn’t come any earlier to Venda than it did to Civica. But I felt the chill in the air, the tired glint of sun, already different from yesterday. Winter is near. Enough doors were already closed to me—I couldn’t let this one shut too.

*   *   *

I followed Kaden through the square to a gate that led out of the Sanctum. He was taking me to the jehendra to get suitable clothes, as the Komizar had ordered. I stayed close to him, fearing the people outside the gates as much as those within. It was a mixed blessing to have the Komizar gone. It gave me breathing room—little passed his notice—but it also meant he was out of my reach. I wanted to ask Kaden about Rafe, where he was and how he had fared through the night, but I knew that would only make him doubt my pronouncement that I wanted nothing to do with the emissary, and if Kaden was suspicious, the Komizar would be too. I prayed the guards hadn’t shown Rafe more of their distaste for Dalbreck swine. Maybe after last night’s dinner and the Komizar’s frequent attentions toward him, they would show more restraint.

We walked side by side, but I noticed an occasional limp in Kaden’s gait. “I’m sorry about the leg,” I said.

“As you said, there are no rules when it comes to survival. Your brothers taught you well.”

I swallowed the tender knot in my throat. “Yes, they did.”

“They taught you to throw the knife too?”

I had nearly forgotten about Finch and my near bull’s-eye on his chest. Kaden obviously hadn’t. “My brothers taught me a lot of things. Mostly just by being with them, watching, and absorbing.”

“What else have you absorbed?”

“I guess you’ll have to find out.”

“I’m not sure my shins want to know.”

I grinned. “I think your shins are safe for now.”

He cleared his throat. “I apologize for my tone with you this morning. I know I was—”

“Arrogant? Condescending? Dismissive?”

He nodded. “But you know I don’t feel that way about you. It’s a language that’s become part of me after so many years. Especially now that I’m back here. I—”

“Why? Are you ever going to tell me why you hate royals so? When you haven’t ever known any but me?”

“I’ve known nobility, if not royalty. There isn’t much difference.”

“Of course you have,” I mocked. “An assassin in court rubbing elbows with lords and ladies happens every day. Name names. Just one noble that you’ve met.”

“This way,” he said, grabbing my arm to lead me down an alleyway, using our sudden turn as a way to avoid my question. I suspected his answer was that he had known none, but he didn’t want to admit it. He hated royals because all Vendans did. They were expected to. Especially certain powerful Vendans.

“Just so you know, Kaden, your revered leader plans to kill me. He told me so.”

Kaden shook his head and held up the bag of coins the Komizar had tossed to him as if it were evidence to the contrary. “He’s not going to kill you.”

“Perhaps he just wants me well dressed when I’m hanging from the end of a rope.”

“The Komizar doesn’t hang people. He beheads them.”

“Oh, well. That’s a relief. Thank you for enlightening me.”

“He’s not going to kill you, Lia,” he repeated. “Unless you do something stupid.” He stopped and grabbed my arm. “You’re not going to do something stupid, are you?” Passersby stopped and watched us. I realized they all recognized the Assassin. They knew who he was and gave him respectful distance.

I studied Kaden. Stupid was all a matter of perspective. “I’m only doing what you asked. Following your lead and trying to convince others of my gift.”

He leaned in close, lowering his voice. “Use your displays sparingly, Lia, and never hold it over the Komizar’s head like you did with Griz and Finch. You’ll feel the backlash if you do. Let him use your gift as he sees fit.”