Page 67 (1/2)

Thera shrugged "They were fighting, always draining the shields The Hayllians won’t be attacking with any strength Alive, Lia is a valuable hostage If they’d wanted her destroyed, the village and everyone in it would be gone by now"

"When the Hayllians start to advance, everyone wearing the Jeill provide a token resistance, gradually retreating toward the Coaches," Lia said "Jared will remain here in the tavern, where he can watch the road"

"I can--" Jared began

"Your task is to defend," Lia said sharply

"I don’t like it," Randolf said, shaking his head "We’re not going to achieve anything Gaining a few e the outcoreen "You don’t have to like it, Warlord You just have to obey"

After silencing Randolf with a searing look, Talon fixed his gaze on Lia "With respect, Lady, I say again--this web you and Lady Thera devised is an adet us out of here"

Lia raised her chin "Yes, it will"

Frustrated, Jared raked his fingers through his hair "How?"

They said nothing

Seeing his own hurt s

Blind trust In the end, it always came down to blind trust because it was the ultimate test of the bond between a Queen and the males who serve her

"It’s ti

Silent, all the men except Jared, Talon, and Blaed left the roole around the to the point while Blaed and Jared each flanked his own Lady

"Prince Talon, your presence is required," Lia said when they stepped outside She moved out of earshot and waited for the Sapphire-Jeweled Warlord Prince to join her

Jared’s muscles quivered at the formal request Before he could decide whether or not to insist on being part of that private conversation, Thera dragged hiave him a brittle smile that was probably uts to water

"I need so up a s in the blood Life sang in the blood

And trust, like love, was one of the heart’s songs

Jared pushed up his sleeve and offered his wrist

She was quick, gentle, and farthe nick in his wrist than he would have been

Giving him another brittle smile, Thera put the cover on the cup and dashed to the Coach she and Lia were using to prepare this Queen’s gaain, Jared eased closer to where Lia and Talon were still standing

"If that’s what you want," Talon said grimly, "a fast--"

"I told you what I want from you," Lia replied "Exactly what I want Will you do it?"

Jared eased closer The fierce unhappiness in Talon’s face ely, as if it couldn’t decide to pound until it burst or just fade until it stopped

"Proent squeeze

Talon looked at their clasped hands His fingers curled around hers When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy "I swear by the Jewels and all that I a forward, Lia swiftly kissed Talon’s cheek "Thank you"

Then she noticed Jared and stepped back, blushing

Still watching Lia, Talon’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully Then his attention shifted to Jared for a moment "If you’ll excuse me, Lady, I have some preparations to make"

"Of course," Lia murmured

As Talon walked past Jared, heuntil he reached his Warlords

"Lia," Jared said quietly, taking a couple of steps toward her

Lia retreated "I--I have to help Thera"

There were shadows under her eyes fro sohe should understand about Jewels and psychic links that was still teasingly just out of reach

"Lia, what is the Queen’s gamble?"

"What it’s always been" Lia licked her lips "That the ned certain tasks to will perform those tasks exactly as requested That they won’t allow the--or whatever else theythink is happening"

"Lia"