Klia sighed. “No, stay here. It’s better for both of us if you’re not seen. At this point I’m not sure who to trust. I’ll use one of your message wands to send word of what comes of the other interrogations. I want you to go to Korathan with news of this as soon as you get back.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you for all you’ve done.” Klia paused, then kissed him.

He held her tight, trying to memorize the feel of her, all the angles and curves.

She seemed to be doing the same, and his face went red and hot as he thought of her feeling the hard press of his rigid member against her belly.

Yet she gave no sign of repugnance. Instead she pressed her hand to his chest over his unruly heart again. “You say this is mine? I claim it and charge you with keeping it safe until I return.”

With that she turned and strode away to join the others. He heard voices, then footsteps fading into the night. The memory of her touch and words ached like fever in his bones. Staring into the darkness beyond the doorway, he whispered, “I love you, Klia.”

Chapter 25 - Inside Work

SEREGIL and Alec were to go riding with Elani the following morning, but it was sheeting down rain and word had come from the Palace that they would spend the day indoors instead.

“I’m beginning to feel like the court pet,” Alec laughed as they gathered their gaming stones and Seregil’s harp.

“Elani has certainly taken to us, and we’re finally getting inside. We’ve got to find out who is providing Reltheus with her letters. My money is still on that scribe of hers. He’s in charge of her correspondence, unless things have changed since my days there.”

“You’ve never said much about that,” Alec noted.

“Not much to say. I wasn’t well suited to court life,” Seregil replied. “And it wasn’t a particularly happy time.”

They were just about to leave when Runcer knocked at their chamber door.

“Is the carriage here?” asked Alec.

“No, my lord. Lord Thero is asking to speak with you.”

“Show him up to the library.”

Seregil caught the scent of smoke and magic on Thero’s clothing as the wizard strode past him into the library. He was dressed in trousers and coat, and looked decidedly troubled. “Did you finally manage to set your tower on fire?”

“Klia summoned me last night,” Thero replied. “I just got back.”

“Is she all right?” asked Alec.

“Yes, thankfully. So are Beka, Nyal, and Myrhini. They managed to catch our spy. It’s not Danos after all, but his aide, a young corporal named Caem, working for Commander Myr’s aide-de-camp, Major Salana.”