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"Oh, and Rogan"

I stiffened, not liking that sing-song tone of hers It hness"

Haydyn smirked at me "After you speak with Jarek, please find Captain Stovia We’ll need an escort"

Ibehindin Wolfe’s presence, I shter and shook my head at her mischief

"There you are," I called softly as I came upon Jarek in the Silver Stable We had stables ale as the palace because half of the Royal Guard was cavalry There were a nue with a quick wit and warm smile, had been a stable boy up until recently The old Stable Master had passed away suddenly and I had suggested Jarek for the job Yes, he was young, but we had been friends ever since my arrival at the palace and I had never met anyone with such an affinity for horses There had been some upset at first when Haydyn , not responsible enough But he had the stables in tip top shape in no time at all and now everyone could plainly see he was the besta chestnut bay’s hooves He grinned at me and stood up "Where else would I be?"

"I don’t know" I shrugged playfully, sauntering leisurely toward him "The Jewel Stable The White Stable Or the kitchen Cook made cakes today"

He sucked in a breath, his eyes ith teasing upset "And I missed them?"

I snorted "Jarek, you would have missed them even if you’d been there Valena and I had devastated the plate within five seconds"

"Valena," he clucked, "She’s getting to be toothat" I frowned "And what’s wrong with being like ht as they washed over "

Despite myself, I war ti a decidedly flirtatious turn And he was extre That was the problem, however I knew too many maids, and even a few noblewomen, who had shared Jarek’s bed Despite that reckless little voice inside that was eager to uncover the mysteries of bedrooirl he’d tuo to the ht and Sundown?" Those were our horses

Jarek threw , but nodded "Is the Guard going with you?"

I grihed "You don’t sound too excited about it Here’s a thought" He stepped close to me, so close I had to crane my neck to look up at hiuard for the day?" He bent down, his hot breath blowing across ood care of you"

"And Haydyn?" Iwith awareness of hihed softly "She has Lord Matai" He drew back only a little, our noses al "You can have me"

"Well isn’t this cosy"

I closed h, how I hated hihed and stood back froainst the stable wall glaring at us "Apparently I’oing to be delivered? A week, two…?"

I glared at him "Clearly it already has been"

Wolfe snapped up off the wall and strode towards me Dear haven, he was tall He towered over Jarek and I "You," he bit out at Jarek, "The horses Now Hers," he flicked a distasteful look at me, "The Princezna’s, Lord Matai’s, my own, and three of my Guard"

Jarek crossed his arms over his chest defiantly, not in the least intimidated I smiled at him "Which three?"

"Worth, Vincent, and Chaeron’s," Wolfe replied through clenched teeth

Jarek nodded tightly and then threwan"

"Jarek" I grinned back at hiered out of the stable and into the next Feeling Wolfe’s eyes on me I turned and uffawed, eyeing me incredulously "The Princezna has been unwell and everyone is agreeing to her outing towith the stable boy"

"Stable Master!" I corrected, poking hihteous tone with me as if I don’t care about Haydyn"

Wolfe snorted "Do you care? You were supposed to come and inform me so I can protect you at s practically wrapped around Jarek"

How dare he?! I sucked in a breath at the accusation "You’re lucky I don’t slap you for that insinuation Jarek ishim to prepare the horses and I was just about to come and find your sorry ass to let you know Haydyn required your company into market Not that I should have to explain myself to you"

"Sorry ass" Wolfe threw e of the Handive hih stable boys to know my share of curse words "Screw you!" I spat and turned to rew quiet and parted as we h the crowds on the cobbled streets, the noise level hushing and then rising as the people gathered back together behind our entourage, like a wave crashing to shore behind us

I rode beside Haydyn on Midnight, she on Sundown Matai rode on Haydyn’s other side and three of the Royal Guard rode at our backs Wolfe rode in front of us, his eagle eyes watching the crowds as we made our way past taverns, apothecaries, inns, bakers and butchers and candlestick makers The marketplace was in theprovinces came to sell their wares Haydyn always had a particular interest in the artists and craftslass works of Vasterya

"I’ve decided to hold a ball" Haydyn s once more to Silverians who bowed and curtsied as we trotted past

I raised an eyebrow at the unexpected idea "A ball?"

"H seventeen years "A ball I’ll invite all the Rada and all the noble our solidarity in an unsettling time"

"A ball?" I still wasn’t convinced

"I think it’s a fine idea, Princezna" Matai shed "No one asked you, Lord Matai"