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"My swordsmen are on the other side of that wall" He indicates the tall hedge we’re approaching, and I let go of his hand Just in tiate cracks open, and a fae peers out He’s Taber, one of Kyol’s officers

"There have been no signs of the rebels," he says

Kyol takes off his jacket, hands it to the other fae in exchange for his sword-belt "Jorreb was alone"

My Fae is by no measure perfect, but I think I understand their words Even if ests he expected trouble At least, he expected h the open gate About a dozen swordsmen wait on the side of the road They’re dressed in jaedric armor It’s fancier than what the rebels wear, coated with a black polish and with the king’s sigil--an abira tree with thirteen branches, one for each province--etched in gold over their chests They’re all invisible, I presu here beside the street otherwise

Not that there’saround a corner I watch it, wondering if it’s the one the human is supposed to send But it’s a li I turn back toward Kyol and Taber to concentrate on their conversation, but they’re both looking at the li to the curb

The driver rolls down hisI sigh He probably thinks I need help since it looks like I’m alone on the side of the road

"I’lance at Kyol

"He’ll take you to Shane’s ho this is my ride

The driver cliet in, Kyol cutsto Taber, then ducks inside

"Ma’ament and then slide onto the soft leather seat Kyol sits across from me As soon as the door closes, I say, "You shouldn’t be in here"

"I’ you alone until you’re safe"

"Aren can’t fissure into acar" I would say more, but the driver climbs behind the wheel and the partition between his seat and our section of the li, et to"--as the guy’s name?--"Shane’s ?"

"About thirty er than Aren and I were in the car in Geric came back Kyol’s completely healthy so he should be fine

"Do youthe privacy panel

"I’ve got it, ma’am," he says He presses a button on the limo’s dash When the panel slides into place, I sink intoto relax For soether But we don’t say anything; we just stare at each other as if we’ve both doubted we’d ever see the other again I know I doubted it

Kyol’s gaze drops to the floor That’s not like hilance away, either because I’m worried others will see the way I look at him or because it’s too hard to stay apart