Byren caught Orrade's arm as they passed on the stairs. They had hardly seen each other since they had returned from Unistag Spar. Byren was still not sure how far he could trust his old friend.
Here, on the stair landing, there was no one to overhear them, still he lowered his voice. 'I'm in a fix, Orrie. I have to escort Garza back to Dovecote estate to acknowledge his bravery, and mother wants me to take Piro to visit Elina.'
Orrade frowned, then one corner of his mouth lifted. 'Yes, that's what I'd call a fix.'
Byren's spirits lightened. He'd missed Orrade, who'd seemed withdrawn since Cobalt asked him to spy.
'You'll have to camp on the edge of the estate and send Piro on with Garzik. That'll make her wonder… I guess there's only one thing for it.' Orrade was serious now. 'You'll have to tell Piro the truth about me.'
'You don't mind?'
'A kingsdaughter, who can do what she did on Unistag Spar, is not going to worry about my preference for men.' Orrade hesitated. 'Do you want me to come too?'
'Of course,' Byren replied. 'If I'm to camp in a chilly snow-cave, while Garzik and Piro sleep in warm beds and eat hot dinners, I want you to suffer with me!'
Orrade laughed. 'You know I'd suffer far worse for you.'
Byren dropped his friend's arm. If he truly had Orrade's loyalty, why hadn't he warned him about Cobalt?
Orrade went to say something, but Byren turned and left him there on the stair. Alone.
Orrade would misinterpret his reaction, thinking Byren was uncomfortable with him. Which he was, whenever he stopped and thought about it.
Byren tried to put himself in Orrade's position. How would he feel, spending every day with Elina, unable to show that he cared? Was it even right for him to presume on Orrade's friendship? His head spun. He wished Orrade had kept his mouth shut.
Byren let his horse stand. They had ridden rather than skating so they could bring enough stores to make a comfortable camp. This camp had to be near enough to Dovecote's keep for Byren to slip over and meet up with Elina, but far enough to avoid detection.
He shaded his eyes to look across the valley. The setting sun's silvery rays picked out Dovecote's warning tower. Each great estate had warning beacons, just as they had a force of trained warriors… once. Thirty years of peace had made everyone grow fat and prosperous. But not the Old Dove. He still drilled his honour guard himself. Mind you, he'd outlived the veterans of Byren the Fourth's War of 246 and nearly all the veterans of the Merofynian War of 269 that put King Rolen on the throne.
Byren blinked. The Dove was nearly eighty. How strange it must be to live so long, to see others who were born when you were an adult grow old and die before you.
The grey stone of the warning tower gleamed like polished pewter. It was close to spring cusp but the thaw had not yet begun. Soon the land would be madly sprouting, dormant seeds battling each other to accept Halcyon's blessing. Strange to think that this snow-shrouded valley would be a steaming jungle by summer's cusp.
'Not far.' Piro spurred her horse on.
'We'll camp here,' Byren announced. Now that it was time to reveal his banishment from Dovecote estate and the reason for it, he was worried about Piro's reaction.
His sister twisted in the saddle to stare at him. 'But we're nearly there.'
He nodded to the setting sun. 'Nearly night.'
'There's no cloud cover. We could ride by starlight,' she protested.
'We're camping here.' Byren swung his leg over the horse's back, dropping to the snowy ground.
'I don't — '
'For once, will you do as I say? There's something I have to tell you, Piro. Something important.'
This piqued her curiosity and she swung her leg over the saddle, landing lightly on the snow. 'All right. I'm listening.'
He nodded to Garzik who collected her mount's reins, then moved off to unsaddle the horses and rub them down. Without a word to Orrade, Byren began to dig the snow out of a gully to make a snow-cave. A big one, since he planned on being here for more than a day or two.
He hoped that while they were alone Orrade would confide in him and together they could think of a way to outwit Cobalt.
Piro watched him for a few moments then asked, 'Why bother with such a big snow-cave, when we'll be in beds tomorrow night? Why camp at all, when we could ride on?'
'Orrade and I are not going to Dovecote,' Byren told her.
'I must confess, I wondered why Orrade was coming with us. But you… why aren't you coming to Dovecote?' A teasing sparkle lit her dark eyes and it struck Byren that his sister was a remarkably pretty girl… when she wasn't being irritating. 'Elina will miss you, Byren.'
That stung. 'No, she won't. She said she never wanted to see me again and Lord Dovecote's banned me from his estate.'
Piro's mouth dropped open. 'But why? That's ridiculous!'
Byren smiled because she bristled so beautifully on his behalf. He forced himself to go on. 'The Old Dove thinks I'm like Palos, a lover of men.'
Piro's laughter rang like a bell. Seeing his expression, she sobered abruptly. 'What made him think that?'
'I told him.'
She gaped.
'He was trying to protect me,' Orrade revealed with painful honesty. 'But I've been disinherited anyway.'
Piro sat down in the snow, stunned. 'So that's why your father disinherited you, Orrie. No wonder you didn't want to tell anyone.'
'Yes. And that's why neither of us can set foot on the estate. Elina thinks I prefer Orrade to her.' Byren heard the resentment in his voice and turned away to resume digging, using his anger to fuel the work. Sometimes he wished he had sent Orrade away instead of keeping him close by, a constant reminder of what he had lost. 'Orrie and I will camp here and wait for you. We've enough food to last seven days, more if we get lucky with our snares.'
Byren concentrated on working, waiting for her reaction. He didn't know which would be worse, pity or sympathy. Then he wondered if she would ask if it was true and that would be worst of all.
Garzik came back, having overheard everything, and began to help with the snow-cave.
'You knew all along, Garza?' Piro asked.
He nodded. More silence.
'Oh, Orrie,' Piro whispered. 'Here I was, feeling sorry for myself because I have to join Sylion Abbey when you've lost everything.'
Orrade looked up, startled. 'You have to join the abbey? But that would mean… you have Affinity?'
Garzik stopped work, his heart in his face. He loved Piro. Byren had not guessed and he doubted if the boy even realised it himself.
He was equally sure that Piro hadn't noticed, as she nodded to Orrade. 'I do. How do you think I controlled the unistag?'
The brothers exchanged looks, then turned to Byren.
'We only just found out,' he explained. 'It seems everyone has secrets.'
'Some more deadly than others,' Orrade muttered. Byren felt sure he was referring to Cobalt and his threats.
'What do you mean?' Piro asked, then wrinkled her nose. 'Oh, being a lover of men.' She paused as a thought struck her. 'But I've often heard Lence boast of the times you three have gone wenching. He claimed Orrie could — '
'Piro!' Byren cut her off, shocked.
'What?' Seeing his expression she flushed, then looked frustrated. 'I have ears, Byren. I know what you males get up to.'
'Maybe, but you don't hear mother talking about it,' Byren snapped.
'Oh really?' She rolled her eyes. 'You haven't heard the women when they are alone.'
Made uncomfortable by the idea that gossip of their exploits had reached his mother, Byren fell silent.
Orrade straightened up, dusting snow off his gloves. 'Several of the lords executed for being Servants of Palos were married, Piro.'
'So they were.' She stood up and brushed snow off her riding breeches. 'Well, you learn something new every day. What's for dinner?'
A surprised laugh escaped Byren. Orrade caught his eye, sharing his amusement in a moment of perfect understanding. No, he didn't regret their friendship and he didn't want to give it up.
So they cooked dinner and, afterwards, he beckoned Piro, leading her to the lookout where he turned to face her. Starlight illuminated her face, making her dark, tilted eyes mysterious.
'Eh, Piro, there's something you can do for me, but only if you've a mind to,' he began, reaching into his jerkin pocket to withdraw the poem.
'Does it concern Elina?'
'How did you know?'
She laughed. 'Last autumn cusp Elina told me she felt something special for you.'
'Then why'd she go off for a roll in the hay with Lence?' he demanded, surprised by the force of his anger, when he didn't really believe Elina had lain with his twin.
'She did not go off with Lence, not once!'
Byren said nothing, mouth grim.
'Oh, I'm sure Lence was swiving some girl in the hay — '
'Piro,' Byren protested.
She snorted in exasperation. 'I know what Lence gets up to. Mother's afraid she'll end up with half a dozen bastard grandchildren.'
'Piro!'
'Her words, not mine.'
'I'm sure she never told you that.'
Piro had the grace to look guilty. 'I happened to overhear her telling Seela,' she said primly. 'But that's neither here nor there. Do you want me to give Elina a message?'
Byren nodded. 'See if she'll meet me. Give her this.' He held out the poem which he'd folded over and sealed with a drop of wax, impressed with his foenix emblem.
Piro accepted it. Showing tact for once, she did not ask what it was.
'Remember the water-wheel, where the stream feeds into the lake?' Byren asked. 'I'll be there every day around midday, waiting for her.'
'What if one of Lord Dovecote's men finds you?'
'I can take care of myself, Piro.'
'I'm sure you can, but you can't kill his servants.'
He laughed. 'That's not what I meant. I can avoid being seen if I must. I'm trained in woodcraft. I just want to explain things to Elina.'
Piro nodded.
'Do you think she'll forgive me?' He couldn't help asking.
'I don't know… what girl would like to hear that the man she loves prefers her brother to her?'
Elina loved him? Byren's spirits soared, then plummeted. Somehow, knowing she loved him only made it worse.
'Oh, Byren, don't worry.' Piro hugged him. 'Elina's got a good heart.'
'True. But she's proud and I've hurt her.'
Piro winced as Lord Dovecote greeted his youngest son grimly and led him away. Even the horses, which were being led off by the stable lads, looked happier to be home than Garzik. At least they were headed for a warm stall, a feed and a rub down.
'I fear Garza's in trouble,' Piro whispered to Elina.
She nodded. 'He'll have to sit through an hour's lecture and promise to mend his ways before father will let the matter rest. Da's proud. When Garza ran away, it hurt him.'
Byren's words returned to Piro. She could tell her friend was hurting, too.
'Oh, but I'm so glad to see you!' Elina hugged her.
'Me too.' Piro returned the hug. She needed to get Elina alone where they could talk. 'I heard Regal had her pups. Father was saying he'd like one. They're sure to be great trackers.'
Elina nodded. 'Come see. They're adorable.'
They skirted New Dovecote and entered the stable yard which had been swept clean of snow.
'They're in here.' Elina led her into the stable, into a tack room near the entrance. 'Come and look. Aren't they darlings?' She scooped up a puppy, thrusting it into Piro's arms. 'Hold him.'
They knelt on the straw, shoulder to shoulder to admire the pups. The stable was warm and cosy, redolent with the familiar smells of horse and hay, friendly with the soft singing of the lads at work on the horses. Piro felt seven years old and wished life was this simple once more.
'I'm glad Garza's come back,' Elina confessed. 'Father's been impossible to live with.'
'I'm sure everything's going to be all right now,' Piro said and tipped the puppy over to tickle his tummy. Byren's message felt incredibly important in her jerkin pocket. She needed to choose the right moment or Elina might reject it. 'You haven't asked after Byren.'
Elina became very interested in her puppy. 'Do you know why?' she asked carefully.
'I know Byren loves you,' Piro insisted. 'And you once told me you loved him, so…'
Elina said nothing, staring at the puppy unseeing.
Piro stole a look. She was in time to see a large tear slide down Elina's cheek. 'Oh, Lina!'
Piro reached out to console her, but Elina pulled away. 'You don't understand, Piro. This isn't the sort of thing that can be mended by saying I'm sorry.'
'Maybe it can be mended by listening to what he has to say. Here.' Piro thrust the message into Elina's hands. 'It's from him. He'll be waiting for you by the water-wheel tomorrow at midday. Promise me you'll read it and hear him out?'
'Oh, Piro…' Elina glance down at the message then fixed tearful eyes on her.
The horses stirred, whickering. Piro and Elina both turned their heads to listen. The jingle of harness and the stamp of hooves told her they had company.
'Who could that be?' Elina muttered. Wiping her cheeks, she tucked the message in her apron pocket and went to look through the stable door, staying in its shadow.
Piro had to stand on tip toe to peer over her shoulder.
'Why, it's Lence!' Elina whispered fondly. She pulled the apron off over her head and folded it across her arm. 'Lence and friends. Two of them are mere boys.'
'Don't let them hear you say that!' Piro warned. 'They're Lords Brookfield and Dellton now, having come into their titles since you last saw them. And they've joined Lence's honour guard. They think themselves men.' She frowned. Trust Cobalt to travel with a servant. 'The fancy one is the new Lord Cobalt.'
'Spurnan's son, Illien? The one who's been in Ostron Isle these last thirteen years?'
Piro nodded. 'Father's acknowledged him as our blood kin.'
'Really? My father will be pleased to see the breach mended. He'll be sorry to hear that Spurnan's dead.' Elina hurriedly smoothed down her hair, then threw the door open. 'Lence Kingsheir, always welcome at Dovecote.'
Piro watched her brother's face lighten with delight, then tighten hungrily. She could not imagine a man ever looking at her like that.
Lence swung his leg over the horse's back and dropped to the swept stable yard. 'Elina, lovely as always. Don't you have stable lads to take our horses?'
'I was playing with the puppies.' Her words were prim but her voice held laughter. 'We have more of King Rolen's kin visiting. Come, Piro.'
She stepped from behind the door. 'Hello, Lence.'
'Piro!' Lence looked surprised, then forced a smile. 'What are you doing here?'
Elina laughed and rolled her eyes. 'Brothers!'
Piro noticed both Brookfield and Dellton could not take their eyes off her friend and even Cobalt straightened unconsciously in the saddle. Why did Elina have this effect on men?
Lence seemed to recollect his manners. Keeping a firm hold on Elina's hand, he turned towards the youths. 'Elina, you know Arturo and Moran, now Lords Brookfield and Dellton. And this is Lord Cobalt. Illien, this is Elina Dovecotesdaughter, the prettiest girl in Rolencia.'
Both youths dismounted and bowed formally as if they were in court, insisting that Elina use their personal names, as they made free with hers. Piro had to look away and bite her bottom lip.
Cobalt swung down from the saddle, handed the reins to his servant and made the Ostronite bow, which should have looked ostentatious but he carried off with great style. He kissed Elina's hand as was the Ostronite custom then held on to it, saying, 'In the court of the Elector of Ostron Isle there are poets who claim Ostronite women are the most beautiful in the world. I believed them… until I met you.'
Elina blushed but Piro laughed outright.
Cobalt flicked an annoyed glance in her direction. 'Little Piro, so good to see you again.' He dropped Elina's hand to reach up to Piro's head. 'Hold still, you have hay in your hair, child.'
He threw something away with a practised flick. Resentment filled Piro. She was not a child.
While the stable boys ran out to take their horses, Elina smiled and accepted clumsy compliments from Brookfield and Dellton. She was all kind forbearance as they tried to outdo Lord Cobalt. Lence let them flounder for a few moments, then took over. His line of compliments was much more polished.
Compliments usually bored Piro. Today they annoyed her.
'Well, Piro.' Cobalt turned to her. 'I did not think to see you here. Where's Byren?'
The truth would not do. Piro searched for inspiration. 'He's gone hunting with Orrade.'
'Really? There won't be much game along the canal, too many travellers.'
'Then it's just as well they're on horseback,' Piro told him. 'Hunting's good up near the lookout.'
'I wish them luck,' Cobalt said. 'Though I'm sure they won't need it. They tell me Byren is a remarkable hunter.'
The conversation between Elina and Lence faltered to a stop.
Cobalt turned to Elina. 'Lence has been singing the praises of your cook. He says Queen Myrella has offered her a place in the king's castle but she wouldn't leave Dovecote.'
'Yes, father would never part with her. Shall we go inside?' Elina offered her free arm.
Brookfield and Dellton both tried to take it. There was almost a scuffle. Lence saved them from themselves by walking off with Elina. Piro smirked. Silly boys.
'Father will be so pleased to see you, Lence,' Elina told him. 'He was sorry to miss the Midwinter's Day celebrations.'
As Piro watched Brookfield and Dellton hurry after them, she caught herself wishing Lence hadn't arrived. She still didn't know if Elina was going to meet Byren.
Elina paused and looked back over her shoulder. 'Come on, Piro.'
Piro caught Lence's impatient glance. It seemed she was a nuisance and it occurred to her that maybe Lence hadn't come out of his way just to see Elina, maybe he was also here to discover why Orrade had been disinherited.
'Cousin Piro?' Cobalt offered his arm.
The last thing she wanted to do was take it. She'd much rather go back and play with the puppies. Dredging up a smile, she accepted Cobalt's arm and tried to do her mother proud by making polite conversation. 'How did negotiations go with the warlord of Cockatrice Spar?'
'That's not for me to discuss,' Cobalt told her.
Piro flushed and ground her teeth. He was acting as if she was too young to be involved in strategy discussions, but they'd thought her old enough to marry the Cockatrice warlord.
Brooding over this, Piro hardly paid any attention when Lord Dovecote greeted the new arrivals. Once again, Lence introduced Cobalt as their cousin, making it clear that King Rolen had acknowledged the blood tie, and Piro had to listen to the sad tale of the Utland raid all over again. It would have touched her, if she hadn't known that Cobalt felt nothing.
While Elina played the perfect hostess and called for wine, arranging to have bed chambers opened and aired, Piro watched Cobalt set out to charm Lord Dovecote. He was up to something and she didn't like it. Suddenly she knew what Seela meant, when she said her nurslings had all grown up and had to play the game of Duelling Kingdoms for real.
Old Lord Dovecote proudly showed off his latest dove crossbreed. This one had fancy feathers down its legs. Piro thought it pretty enough, but she had seen them all before.
'Play with me, Piro?' Garzik suggested, beckoning her over to where he was opening the carved box that held the Dovecote's Duelling Kingdoms game.
'Of course.' Piro joined him, relieved one male wasn't behaving like a besotted idiot, but then, Elina was his sister. As she helped Garzik lay out the board she leant close enough to whisper. 'Do you think Lence is here to find out why Orrie was disinherited?'
After casting a quick glance to their visitors, Garzik caught her hand, placing her piece in her palm and squeezed her fingers. 'Don't worry, none of the servants know, only the family. And we're not going to tell.'
So she settled down to play.
Later, when they went upstairs to clean up for the evening meal, Piro finished dressing quickly and darted down the hall to the room Lence always used. She tapped on his door and thrust it open to find Cobalt with him.
Both turned towards her, startled by the interruption.
'Sorry,' Piro said, perfunctorily. She'd been marshalling her arguments since Cobalt refused to discuss the Cockatrice warlord negotiations and was determined to hear what Rejulas had said. 'Did you manage to patch things up with Rejulas, Lence? Is he coming to the Jubilee? Is he mad about — '
'Quiet, Piro.' Grimly, Lence pulled the strings of a small velvet bag closed and handed it to Cobalt.
'Well?' Cobalt asked.
'You've convinced me,' Lence said, with reluctance. 'Go. Do what's got to be done.'
'As you wish, kingsheir.' Cobalt tucked the bag inside his vest, cast Piro a swift glance then left.
'Well?' Piro pressed as the door closed.
Lence focused on her with a distracted frown. 'What?'
She rolled her eyes. 'What did Rejulas say? You can't put me off. I want to know.'
'It's none of your business and besides — '
'I was there, at the war table, when father sent you. I was the one Rejulas was going to marry.' Piro relished saying this, certain she was on solid ground. 'I think that makes it my business. After all, I am a kingsdaughter.'
'You're a spoilt brat, Piro. And, after spring cusp you won't be a kingsdaughter bred to serve Rolencia, you'll be a lowly nun serving Sylion Abbey!'
She gasped, taking a step back. It was true and she hated him for it.
'Now get out,' Lence told her, voice rising. 'And knock next time!'
A year ago she would have told him just what she thought of him. But not now, for he was wrong — she was no longer a child. Collecting her dignity, Piro gave Lence a stiff little bow and backed out. It was only later that she wondered what had been in the bag Lence gave Cobalt and what it was he'd sent Cobalt to do.
Byren packed the entrance to the snow-cave to seal it and crawled back to his side. Orrade knelt on his haunches as he stirred their food, a small pot of stew, prepared back at Rolenhold and preserved with spices. The glowing coals of the brazier made his pale skin ruddy.
It was time. 'Why didn't you tell me Cobalt blackmailed you to be his spy?'
Orrade went utterly still for a heartbeat, then continued stirring the stew. 'How did you know?'
'I was there in the devotional box.'
Colour crept up Orrade's cheeks. 'Then you know I was not a willing party to this deception.' He glanced at Byren. 'Why didn't you bring it up before?'
'Why didn't you tell me before?'
Orrade made a helpless gesture. 'I didn't want to worry you. I've cost you too much already.'
In all honesty, Byren couldn't deny this.
'If you knew, why didn't you say something?' Orrade asked. When Byren didn't answer, the slow burn of anger made his black eyes gleam. 'I'd never betray you, Byren.'
'No?' His chest felt so tight it was hard to speak. 'What did you tell him, when we got back from Unistag Spar? He would have been expecting a report.'
'He was.' Orrade met his eyes. 'I told him only what he needed to hear — '
'Piro?'
'Nothing of Piro. When your men spoke of Lady Unace's unistag, he put two and two together, but I claimed I knew nothing. I told him we hardly speak any more, that you blame me for losing Elina's love.'
'I don't,' Byren muttered, frustrated. 'She should have known how I felt.'
'Why?' One side of Orrade's mouth lifted in a rueful smile. 'Because you feel so strongly?'
Byren nodded.
'It doesn't work that way,' Orrade told him.
Byren heard the painful self-knowledge in his voice and winced. 'Orrie, I — '
'Stew's ready.' Orrade began ladling it out, then grabbed a roll that had been heating on the brazier's edge and tossed it over to Byren. It was several days old but the heat had made it crispy.
He caught the bread and accepted his bowl. 'I owe you an apology.'
'Forget it. I've been thinking of a way we can turn Cobalt's cunning to our advantage.'
'Oh?' Byren paused, as he dipped the bread in the stew.
'I'll tell him what we want him to hear. It must be believable but it doesn't have to be the truth.'
Byren snorted. 'He won't believe the truth. I've already told him I don't want to rule Rolencia. Twice.' Even as he said this, he realised it was true. This was what that first conversation back on the Divide had been about, when Cobalt had approached him outside the council hall.
Byren caught Orrade watching him with a look that was hard to read. 'What?'
'Nothing.'
'Once Lence marries Isolt, he'll see she's not so bad,' Byren said. 'The alliance will be secure and Lence will settle down.'
Orrade dipped his roll in the stew and tore off a chunk, saying nothing.
'You don't think so?' Byren prodded.
'Ask yourself why Cobalt's mischief has fallen on fertile ground with Lence,' Orrade said, then gave the answer. 'Cobalt's telling Lence what he wants to hear.'
Byren found the stew had lost all taste. For the first time he understood that everything might not turn out for the best. What if the breach between himself and Lence deepened?
'Have you ever thought of travelling?' Orrade asked. 'Why not go to Ostron Isle as Rolencia's ambassador? I could come with you. We'd — '
'Leave?' Byren was torn between anger and laughter. As if he could leave home when Rolencia needed him.
Much later, Piro snuggled into bed, grateful for the warming stone. Except for trouncing Garzik at Duelling Kingdoms, the evening had been an interminable bore. Brookfield and Dellton had been either tongue-tied in front of Elina, or too voluble. And Lence had discussed the Utland reprisal raid with Lord Dovecote. Piro had heard it all before. The only new thing she had learnt was that Lence had sent Cobalt to Rolenhold to let them know Lence had decided to stay at Dovecote for now.
Piro rolled over and thumped the pillow. She'd hated the way Lence watched Elina all night. He'd even saved the crackling off the top of his caramel toffee-pear for her because it was her favourite treat. Piro knew Elina was secretly heartbroken over Byren but she had seemed inclined to look more favourably on Lence, even though he was betrothed.
Piro sat up in bed. Did Elina know about Lence's betrothal? The Dovecotes hadn't come to the midwinter feast where it was announced and Piro hadn't had a chance to mention it yet. They may not have heard because news didn't travel fast in winter.
Elina needed to know that Lence was betrothed in case she contemplated opening her heart to him. She'd always been fond of Lence.
Slipping out of the bed, Piro reached for her shawl. Her toes curled on the cold rug and she quickly tucked them into her slippers and padded to the door. Elina's chamber was next to hers. She'd tell Elina now, warn her not to believe Lence's compliments and maybe take the chance to plead Byren's case.
But when she came to the door it was slightly ajar and the room was empty. Where was Elina?
Piro crept down the hall until she heard muffled voices from the balcony which overlooked the great hall. There was a rustling then a male chuckle.
'One kiss is never enough,' Lence cajoled. 'Let's see what you have under this — ow!'
Piro smiled, pleased. The wooing wasn't going all his way for once.
'I said one kiss and that's all I meant. I'm not one of your rolls in the hay, Lence,' Elina snapped. 'Now, what did you want to see me about?'
'They've betrothed me to a Merofynian prize cow!'
'What?'
'And all the while I've been dreaming of you. Dreaming of your smooth, milky skin, your sparkling obsidian eyes, your — '
'You're betrothed, Lence? When did this happen?'
'Midwinter. They betrothed me to Isolt, that usurper Merofyn's daughter. I am the true heir, not him or his daughter.'
'We had not heard about your betrothal.' Elina spoke slowly, clearly shocked. 'I — '
'It doesn't matter. I'll be coming for you.'
'But what about your betrothed?'
Yes, Piro thought. What about her?
'Don't worry. That marriage will never come to pass. I'll be back to claim you, Elina. You understand?'
'I don't see how you can agree to a betrothal then — '
'I'm going to be king and, when I am, I'll choose my own bride and it will be you. So promise you'll wait for me.'
She gave a bitter laugh. 'I'm not about to marry anyone else.'
'Not even Byren?' Lence countered, as if he couldn't help himself.
'Byren? He preferred my brother to me!' It was a cry from the heart.
Piro jumped, thumping her elbow on the wainscoting.
'What was that?' Elina sounded alarmed.
'Nothing. Rats — '
'We don't have rats at Dovecote. I had the best ratters in only last week — '
'Forget the rats, Elina.' Lence didn't sound surprised by Elina's revelation about his twin. 'What makes you think Byren's a Servant of Palos?'
'He told father that he and Orrie are lovers. That's why father disinherited Orrade. Da's devastated. He made us promise to tell no one.'
Then why had she told Lence? Piro frowned.
'And now Byren wants to meet me at the water-wheel tomorrow afternoon,' Elina muttered. 'But I don't see how anything he says could change the situation. He's a lover of men and I won't be second best!'
Piro cursed under her breath.
'Did you hear something?' Elina whispered.
'There's someone in the hall.' Lence's voice grew alarmingly loud as he strode along the balcony towards the corridor.
Piro fled.