Tavey, Lektra’s cousin on her father’s side, snickered and leaned forward a little to see around Roxie, who was sitting on Lektra’s right. “Convenient, isn’t it?”

“Meaning what?” Lektra snapped.

“I heard she used to be a whore,” Roxie replied primly.

“A high-priced one, from what I heard,” Tavey said. “Wonder if she and Sadi had a standing arrangement when they both lived in Terreille.”

“I doubt there was much standing,” Braedon said blandly.

Shocked, Lektra stared at her escort. “Do you mean Dae—Prince Sadi and that woman used to . . . ?”

Braedon shrugged. “It’s possible she’s really related in some way to the SaDiablo family. But if a man needed to be very discreet about getting certain . . . needs . . . met, having a ‘cousin’ who could stay under the same roof without anyone thinking twice about it would make it much easier.”

“Especially an ‘experienced’ cousin,” Tavey said, snickering again.

“You’re both being ridiculous,” Lektra said, remembering she was supposed to be Daemon’s defender.

“Is she wearing a bracelet?” Roxie said, then hunched her shoulders as if she’d said something she shouldn’t have.

“Who’s going to notice a bracelet when you can notice other things?” Tavey asked, cupping his hands close to his chest.

Lektra bit back a snappish remark about making such gestures in public. Tavey was a Yellow-Jeweled Warlord who was devotedly loyal to her, which made up for him not being very bright. He also had a thirst for gossip that accounted for his never having a contract renewed when the family managed to get him accepted in a court.

“Well,” Roxie said, sounding reluctant, “I’d heard Prince Sadi had bought a bracelet from Banard. A ‘special gift for a special Lady.’ ”

“Thought it was a brooch,” Tavey said, frowning.

“There was an actress showing off a brooch that had been sent by a secret admirer,” Braedon said. His eyes flicked from the stage to Sadi’s box and back again. “You don’t think—”

“No, I don’t,” Lektra said firmly. “Everyone knows Prince Sadi is devoted to Jaenelle Angelline.”

“Who hasn’t been seen in months,” Braedon murmured.

“Oh, hush,” Lektra said. “The play will start in a few minutes. I’m looking forward to seeing it.” Her eyes flicked to the box opposite hers as she added softly, “I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

2

Surreal watched Daemon remove two items from the wooden box he’d called in as soon as they were settled in their seats, at first with idle curiosity, then with growing apprehension.

“Is that a tangled web?” she asked. She knew he was a Black Widow. Hell’s fire, she’d lived with him for several years while he was struggling to come back from the Twisted Kingdom and then rehone his Craft skills.