It was almost a trance, Glenna’s quiet voice and that building of heat. A stronger ripple now, under her skin, over it. And a weak tongue of flame spurted along a brick of turf.

“Oh! It was a flash inside my head. But you did most of it.”

“A little of it,” Glenna corrected. “Just a little push.”

Moira blew out a long breath. “I feel I’ve run up a mountain.”

“It’ll get easier.”

Watching the fire catch hold, Moira nodded. “Teach me.”

B y the end of two hours, Moira felt as though she’d not only climbed a mountain, but had fallen off one—on her head. But she’d learned to call and somewhat control two of the four elements. Glenna had given her a list of simple spells and charms to practice on her own.

Homework, Glenna had called it, and the scholar in Moira was eager to apply herself to it.

But there were other matters to be seen to. She changed to more formal attire, fixed the mitre of her office on her head, and went to meet with her uncle regarding finance.

Wars cost coin.

“Many had to leave their crops unharvested,” Riddock told her. “Their flocks and herds untended. Some will surely lose their homes.”

“We’ll help them rebuild. There will be no tax or levy imposed for two years.”

“Moira—”

“The treasury will stand it, Uncle. I can’t sit on gold and jewels, no matter what their history, while our people sacrifice. I would melt the royal crown of Geall first. When this is done, I will plant crops. Fifty acres. Another fifty for grazing. What comes from it will be given back to those who fought, the families of any who perished or were injured serving Geall.”

He rubbed his own aching head. “And how will you know who has served and who has hidden themselves away?”

“We’ll believe. You think I’m naive and softhearted. Perhaps I am. Some of that will be needed from a queen when this is done. I can’t be naive and softhearted now, and I must push and prod and ask my people to give and give. I ask a great deal of you. You’re here, while strangers turn your home into a barracks.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s very much, and won’t be the last I ask of you. Oran marches tomorrow.”

“He’s spoken to me.” There was pride in Riddock’s voice, though his eyes were heavy with sorrow. “My younger son is a man, and must be a man.”

“Being yours he could be no less. For now, even as troops begin to march, work has to continued here. Weapons must be forged, people must be fed and housed. Trained. Whatever is required you have leave to spend. But... ” She smiled now, thinly. “If any merchant or craftsman seeks too heavy a profit, he will have an audience with the queen.”

Riddock returned her smile. “Very well. Your mother would be proud of you.”

“I hope she would. I think of her every day.” She rose, and the gesture brought him to his feet. “I must go to my aunt. She’s so good to stand as chantelain these weeks.”

“She enjoys it.”

“I wonder that she could. The kitchens, the laundry, the sewing, the cleaning. It’s beyond my ken with so many to tend. I’d be lost without her.”

“She’ll be pleased to hear it. But she tells me you come, every day, to speak with her, and to tour those kitchen, the laundry. Just as I’m told you go speak to the smithies, the young ones you have carving stakes. And today you trained with the other women.”

“I never thought my office would be an idle one.”

“No, but you need rest, Moira. Your eyes are shadowed.”

She told herself to ask Glenna to teach her to do a glamour. “There’s time enough to rest when this is done.”

S he spent an hour with her aunt going over household accounts and duties, then another speaking with some of those who performed those duties.

When she started toward the parlor with the idea of a light meal and a vat of tea, she heard Cian’s laugh.

It relieved her to know he was keeping Glenna company, but she wondered if she herself had the energy to deal with him after such a long day.

She caught herself turning away, felt a quick flare of anger. Did she need a headful of wine just to sit comfortably in the same room with him? What sort of coward was she?

Straightening her spine, she strode in to see Glenna and Cian sitting by the fire with fruit and tea.

They looked so easy with each other, Moira thought. Did Glenna find it comforting or strange that Cian looked so like his brother? Little differences, of course. That cleft in Cian’s chin his brother lacked. And his face was leaner than Hoyt’s, his hair shorter.

There was his posture, and his movements. Cian always seemed at his ease, and walked with a near animal fluidity.

She liked watching him move, Moira admitted. He always put her in mind of something exotic—beautiful in its way, and just as lethal.

He knew she was there, she was sure. She’d yet to see anything or anyone come up on him with him unaware. But he continued to slouch in the chair where most men would rise when a woman—much less a queen—entered the room.

It was like his shrug, she thought. A deliberate carelessness. She wished she didn’t find that so appealing as well.

“Am I interrupting?” she asked as she crossed the room.

“No.” Glenna shifted to smile at her. “I asked for enough for three, hoping you’d have time. Cian’s just been entertaining me with stories of Hoyt’s exploits as a child.”

“I’ll leave you ladies to your tea.”

“Please don’t go.” Before he could rise, Glenna took his arm. “You’ve been working hard to keep me from worrying.”

“If you knew it, I wasn’t working hard enough.”

“You gave me a breather, and it’s appreciated. Now, if everything’s gone as planned, they should be at the projected base. I need to look.” Her hand was steady as she poured tea for Moira. “I think it would be better if we all looked.”

“Can you help them if... ” Moira let it trail off.

“Hoyt’s not the only one with magic up his sleeve. But I’ll be able to see more clearly, and help if necessary if the two of you work with me. I know you’ve had a long one, Moira.”

“They’re my family as well.”