“I don’t know. Kivrin said he’d look into it, and I intend to find a way to do it. I am not marrying him.” She sighed and threw her last cloak into the bag. “I have enough to figure out, Fordham. Basem’s killer is still loose, and we have no proof that it’s Lorian. Zina disappeared into the wind with our only hope of getting information about Mei. Not to mention, my probation.”

“I understand,” he said, stepping up and holding her shoulders. “You’ve dealt with a lot. I should be on probation right there with you.”

“But you never will be.”

“Only because you sent me for help.”

“We’re not having this discussion again,” she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “If I hadn’t sent you ahead, then I’d have been kicked out.”

“I still think—”

“Well, it didn’t happen. Now, get your bag. I have a month of training to make up for in ten days, and we have to be back for the party.”

He glared at her interruption, but he went for his pack. Kerrigan left a note for Audria, explaining as much of the situation as she dared. She’d gone into the spirit world this morning to explain to Tieran where they were going. He agreed to meet her in the stables. Though he objected to the name since he was not some ridiculous horse. Kerrigan laughing at the comparison hadn’t helped his ego.

Still, Tieran waited for her when she came out of the glory of Belcourt Palace. Netta was beside him. She and Fordham saddled their dragons in companionable silence.

“I thought I might find you here.”

Kerrigan winced at the sound of March’s voice. She schooled her features and whirled around with a wide smile on her face. He held a small present in his hand.

“Why, March, the holiday isn’t for another week.”

He strode forward, narrowing his eyes at Fordham. “I thought you were going alone.”

“Fordham is training me.”

“Won’t he also need an invitation from your father?”

Kerrigan swallowed and spoke the truest words. The ones that hurt the worst. “We’re not courting,” she said with a breezy laugh, as if unaffected. “It’s like bringing a riding coach with me.”

Fordham’s shadows closed in tight around her at the words. The easy delivery. She could practically feel him wanting to snatch her away from March. But it also wasn’t wrong. No amount of time in the greenhouse could change that.

“I see,” he said, rather skeptically. “Well, happy holiday.”

She took the proffered box and opened it. A small gasp escaped her throat before she could stop it. A yellow diamond sat amid a halo of diamonds on a gold band.

“March,” she whispered in what she hoped was awe rather than horror. “What… what did you do?”