“Neither would I. Some of it is Alisa, because if you’re happy, she’ll be happy. Some of it is me, because I can do it, and I like the idea of telling those authorities who say those beautiful horses are extinct that they haven’t seen anything yet.” He glanced at Nightshade in the stall in front of him. “And some of it is that from listening to what Alisa told me about you, I’m betting that once you’re settled, it’s going to be just the tip of the iceberg for you. What you saw happening to Nightshade that night changed you, defined you. You’re not going to be satisfied, are you?”

How had he known? She shook her head, stunned. “No,” she whispered. “How can I be?”

“‘Destroy the monsters. Protect the innocents,’” he quoted, his glance shifting back to her. “That’s what you told Alisa. Now you can’t do anything else.”

“No,” she said unsteadily. “The cruelty has to stop.”

He got to his feet. “We have a zillion humane protective organizations for animals around the world. But I think they could do a better job.” He grinned down at her. “I think we could do a hell of a lot better. We’ve just got to figure out how to go the whole distance. So many so-called do-gooders stop before they get there.” He headed for the door. “Keep that in the mind while you’re setting up the horse farm in Colorado. Something might occur to you.”

She stared dazedly after him, trying to catch her breath.

Niseans.

Horse farms.

Protecting the innocents.

Go the whole distance.

What was the whole distance for Korgan?

She had an idea it had never been measured.

He upset you.

She glanced at Chaos. His muscles were tight, and he was clearly on guard. He’d been overprotective about her and Nightshade since that hideous encounter with Reardon in the stable. She hurried to soothe him. Not in a bad way. You might like him. He’s not a king, but he acts like one. No, on second thought, you’d never understand him. Or maybe you might if we could get you hobnobbing with some of your Nisean brothers out in Colorado.

He snorted. You’re talking foolish. I’m the only king of importance. All I wanted to know is if he might hurt you. And what is Colorado?

She couldn’t take her gaze off the stable door. A place far, far away. That I believe we’re all going to see very soon…

*  *  *

Rissani Market, Morocco
Sahara Desert
Two Days Later