“You shouldn’t have said yes,” Teela told Kaylin while Kaylin was attempting to dress herself in the clothing Teela had deemed suitable. It wasn’t that Kaylin disliked dresses, but they always seemed so fragile, and, given Kaylin, likely to suffer for it. The quartermaster wouldn’t forgive her for damaging an expensive dress for at least the rest of this decade—if ever.

She also didn’t like the way the garments revealed skin; the marks would be visible, and she’d hidden them as much as possible ever since they’d appeared on her skin.

“Stop slouching; you look like you expect to be hit at any moment.”

“I’m not slouching—”

“Remember what you’ve learned. If you wear the equivalent of a sign saying, Please don’t hit me, half of the people you meet will pity you, and the other half will assume you’ve done something to deserve punishment.”

“Can I at least get a fancy jacket? My back is exposed.”

“A jacket is unnecessary; it will ruin the line of the dress.”

“Can I get a shorter dress? This one drags on the floor.”

“We do not have time. Inasmuch as it is possible to do so, you wish to blend in with the fashions and customs of the court. You will not be met in the greater gathering space; the Consort will no doubt send servants to guide you. I will be beside you; if someone wishes to mislead or attack you, they will be attacking An’Teela.” The Barrani Hawk smiled. “I am first of my line, but my line was born of a desire for vengeance that never once faltered.

“There is no family, no matter their import, that could forget that; they will attack me only in desperation—and the desperate are often foolish and incompetent. Come. You are ready. Put on the boots—and be grateful I chose boots instead of lighter footwear.”

“You did that because you didn’t want to listen to me complain.”

“And my reward is...to listen to you complain. Why haven’t I strangled you?”

“You’re too busy trying your best not to strangle me?” a familiar voice said.

Terrano.

17

“Why are you here?”

“Actually, I’m not here to follow the two of you—Sedarias trusts Teela to keep both herself and you safe. I wanted to speak to the heart of the building, and the Shadow that’s currently keeping it company.”

“Why?”

“They like me?” She heard him chuckle at her expression. “I learned a bit of chess while I was wandering the streets of your city, and it seemed like an interesting game. So I’m teaching them both to play it.”

Hope, artfully arranged on her shoulder, lifted his head and opened one eye in invisible Terrano’s direction. He squawked.