Instead of stepping back prudently, he leaned closer. His unruly hair brushed my cheek as he whispered in my ear. “Neither am I. I’m training up an entire company of fire mages loyal only to me. Think of that before you taunt me. But if you kiss me, I’ll consider allowing you to become my concubine instead of my catch-fire.”

Rory snarled, causing Drake to startle back.

“You are too late, Drake. I have already been tried and acquitted by the Taino court of ancestors, in the spirit world.” I swung the basket around and pulled out the skull.

Drake’s nose wrinkled up. He brushed a finger along his clean-shaven chin, glanced at the pretty blonde, then looked back at me. “There is something very wrong with you, Cat. Put that skull away, if you please, for it does not impress or frighten me. Indeed, you do nothing but poke at people with your impertinent questions and your outrageous tales, and all to no purpose except to annoy.”

He had never figured out that there was something odd about my answering questions with questions, not as Vai had immediately. Blessed Tanit! What an ass!

The thought made me smile mockingly, and of course my smile roused his temper.

“Enough! I am now wed to the daughter of the honored Armorican prince who is overlord of all the Veneti dukedoms. Such an honor is due me as a son of the Ordovici kings of old.”

“The Ordovici kings of old? Of what are you trying to convince me, Drake?” I asked, for this boasting, defensive mood puzzled me. “That because you are highborn I ought to overlook your boorish behavior? You cannot think I regret the way we parted, or the choice I made.”

He laughed nastily. “You’ll soon be sorry you didn’t take a princely crown when it was offered to you.”

Camjiata stepped into the breach. “My steward has been at pains to signal that our dinner is ready to be served. Let us not delay the repast, for my command staff is waiting. Lord Drake, will you and Lady Angeline join us?”

She answered for Drake in a cultured, formal voice. “We would be pleased to join you, General.”

She smiled soothingly at Drake—rather, I supposed, as Bee might say I sometimes smiled soothingly at Vai when he had climbed up onto his highest horse of intemperate disdain. Only, of course, Vai was no murderer. Was she a smart woman who had learned to manage him, or a frightened one eager to assuage his fits and starts? Her gaze flicked my way as she hooked fingers along his elbow.

“Come along, Cat,” said Camjiata with an unusual hint of asperity. “I think you have made enough of a scene for the moment.”

“Me?”