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Everyone titters with aencies, whichit short I expect everyone to be alert at all ti along with everyone else Tristán has such a nice presence about hient, worthy of my trust

"Hector?" Tristán cedes the floor to the coazes at him with unabashed admiration Now that I know they’re lovers, it’s so painfully obvious to me that I wonder how I didn’t notice before

Hector stands, saying, "I’ve confirmed that a ship is scheduled to dock here this week It could be to on weather The ship is well known to me, and I trust its captain and crew to protect the queen with their lives So I suggest ait for it before splitting off Alternately, we could hire a different ship, or even a caravan"

As one, everyone turns to me for the ultiht? I’d like to know if our new friends have followed us into the city and whether they take lodgings nearby"

"I can," he says

"Then ait for Hector’s ship, unless Franco makes a move"

"Or if he disappears entirely," Hector adds

I nod "If he is able to slip Belén’s careful eye, I will consider thata move"

"My offer to kill him stands," Belén says "Just say the word"

"Thank you," I say, and it gives rateful for so Conde Eduaro’s efforts in the wrong direction is too good an opportunity to pass up"

Tristán says, "Majesty, have you decided who goes with you e split off?"

I take a deep breath I have been dreading this moment "Tristán, you and Iladro will of course continue with the caravan"

He bows his head "Of course"

I need people who are used to rough travel, people I trust with my life "There will be five of us, the holy number of perfection," I say "Mara, you will come with me And Belén I confess I’m not sure what to do about you, Father Alentín I’d like to have a priest with e, your ability to sense the Godstone, could be crucial But as Cosmé’s ambassador, your absence would be noted"

The priest nods wearily, rubbing at his stu with phanto," he says "But I’m an old man now And Her Majesty Queen Cosmé will be disappointed if I do not travel in state with false you and your soon-to-be betrothed My ultie a sad sain be o with the caravan," I tell him

"I will pray for you every day," he says softly

I s the lump in my throat "Thank you"

"What about Storeas he’s on the track of the zafira He co if not noticeable"

I nod "I’ll order hiht That should help hiive hi har about it

"I will go with you, of course," she says "As your guardian--"

"No" There I’ve said it

Her black eyes fly wide Not with surprise, I note carefully, but frustration and anger She kneas co as much as I did

"You are the queen’s most visible attendant," I explain "Mara has beenfor less than a year But you’ve been with me my whole life, and everyone knows it You o with you," she whispers "Always It is my duty I was ordained for it by the Monastery-at-Amalur Elisa, it is God’s will"

And that is exactly the wrong thing to say to er boils up in my throat, so thick I almost choke on it "You will attend my decoy as if she were me" I enunciate each word, my voice sharp and hard "You will protect her with your life"

Her chest rises as she draws breath to argue further, but Tristán wisely interjects "So, you, Mara, Belén, and Storm Lord Commander Hector too, I presume?"

"Yes Hector He’s the one with the plan" Iof his features "The five of us"

Hector says, "We’ll slip away at dusk disguised as highway traders A son waits for us in the stables, packed with a few odds and ends We’ll take it to the docks, ostensibly to trade with one of the ships there, but of course, ill never dise, I have an alternate escape prepared through the sewer beneath the inn"

"Ugh," Mara says

"We’ll hope it doesn’t come to that," Hector says "And a feeeks fro the zafira"

"That’s it, then," I say "Everyone get a good night’s sleep Except Belén"

Belén’s answering grin is as quick and bright as lightning He is the first to slip out the door Everyone else follows at a , "Hector, a ith you, please?"

His face is expressionless as he follows her to a dark corner of aze is intent, her fists clenched at her sides

Mara whispers, "You ertips to the Godstone and pray Oh, God, did II’ve ever had to a mother She has alanted what is best foraway an extra limb or a small part of my soul

It also feels a little bit like freedo hihter, and I look at her, startled "I’d bet all the saffron inhim upside down by his toes if he ever takes your clothes off"

"Oh!" Mara talks about these matters with such casual ease, and I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it Still, I study Hector’s reaction very, very carefully He has drawn hiht, chin raised, eyes hard

"You could order her to tell you," Mara suggests

"She would lie if she thought it necessary" As the words leave my mouth, their truth hits me full force She has not alanted what is best for me She has alanted what she thinks is best for me And she has never hesitated to work aroundhis head Xi at hi in response Then he turns his back on her, sweeps past Mara and me, and exits the chamber