Karin wiped her forehead. It was suddenly very hot in the silk tent. Was that what she had done to Roric by agreeing that he, rather than she, should talk to King Hadros-treated him as an enemy she would dispose of through his rival? But Hadros was not, she hoped, a rival for her hand.

But what did that make Valmar? She still called him her little brother, and had often felt him the only person in the castle she could count on unreservedly, without having to plan or maneuver, but what would he do when he realized he and Roric were in competition?

“There is a young warrior who lives in Hadros’s castle, I believe,” the queen said casually, “Roric No-man’s son. I used to know him. How is he?”

Karin gulped, wondering wildly if the queen could read her thoughts. She forced herself to answer calmly. “He’s fine. He left recently on a trip.” She smiled as well as she could. “I am very glad to have met you, Arane, and I shall ponder all the things you have told me. Now I think I should return to Hadros’s tent, to make sure the evening meal is prepared properly. Since I am not yet a queen, I must use the means I have to keep the men happy.”

Leaving Valmar and Gizor behind, Hadros and Karin went at twilight up to the castle.

It took King Kardan a minute to recognize his daughter. They were announced by a page, and for a moment he did not look directly at her but instead behind her, as though in search of the little girl he had sent away.

But then he focused on her, tall and russet-haired, looking at him from sober eyes rimmed dark with weariness.

She had imagined coming home many times in ten years. At first she had pictured her father picking her up and tossing her over his head in joy, laughing and teasing and telling her it was all a horrible mistake and he was so glad to see her safe. Later, she had imagined herself telling him scornfully what she thought of a man who would let his own daughter go to the court of the enemy, perhaps to be cherished but more likely to be made into the lowest kitchen slut. But she had not expected the hall to be more familiar to her than her father.