By the time he left the bookstore, there were plenty of people out and about Amdarh’s shopping district. As he walked to his next destination, he greeted the men and women he’d met at aristo houses when he’d been invited to dinner or to a party. He’d made an effort to become acquainted with the Blood aristos in the city, especially the ones who served in Lady Zhara’s court, since she ruled Dhemlan’s capital. Except for Karla, the boyos and the coven who had made up Jaenelle’s First Circle hadn’t quite forgiven him for the games he’d played to keep them away from her while she created the spells that would protect them and Kaeleer. And he and Lucivar still weren’t quite easy with each other. What he’d done in Dorothea’s camp to protect his brother’s wife and son was a still-healing wound between them.

He greeted two witches he’d met at a party when he was in Amdarh a few weeks ago buying gifts for Winsol. Baffled by the wary stares they gave him before returning the greeting, he shrugged it off as unimportant, his mind already focused on the shop at the end of the block.

“Good morning, Prince Sadi,” Banard said as soon as Daemon walked into the shop. “I hadn’t expected to see you here so soon after Winsol. Did the Lady like the pin?”

“Good morning,” Daemon replied as he walked up to one of the glass displays that also served as a counter. “Yes, Lady Angelline was delighted with the unicorn pin.”

A gifted craftsman who worked with precious gems and metals, Banard, a Blood male who wore no Jewel himself, had been commissioned over the years to create a number of unique pieces for darker-Jeweled Blood—including Jaenelle’s scepter when she’d established her Dark Court.

“I have a commission for you,” Daemon said. “One that requires your discretion for the time being.”

Banard smiled. “Don’t they all require discretion, Prince?”

“Yes, they do,” he replied, returning the smile to acknowledge the truth of Banard’s statement. “But this one needs a little more than most.”

Banard just continued to smile.

Daemon hesitated, wondering if he was being premature. Didn’t matter. If he ended up being a fool over this, so be it. “I want you to make two rings. One . . . I’m not really sure how I want it to look.” Despite the fact that they were alone in the shop, he lowered his voice. “The other is a plain gold band.”

“Do you know the ring size for this gold band?”

In answer, Daemon held out his left hand.

“Ah.” Banard’s smile widened. “Then this other must be a special ring for a special Lady?”

“A ring worthy of a lifetime.”