“For which I apologize,” she said. “But the High Council has been meeting all day, trying to come to an agreement about how to treat the threat of a Troll invasion. Unfortunately, they lack ideas and backbones in equal measure. It is much easier to debate the matter to death.”

She moved into the light more directly, and he saw the deep furrows scratched into the smooth skin of her face.

“Teonette does nothing to help?” he asked, trying to mask his surprise at what he was seeing, wondering who was responsible.

She laughed softly. “Come, Seraphic. A title does not the man make. He may be first minister, but that does not confer on him anything he doesn’t already possess. In this situation, he is sadly inadequate. You know what men like Teonette are good for? Of course you do. You must also know, then, that if I relied on him to lend backbone or clear thinking to our efforts, I should already be imprisoned and sentenced.”

Skeal Eile felt a chill run up his spine. He could feel it clearly: she was already planning on eliminating her lover, putting one more layer of protection between herself and discovery. Was there any reason to believe she would not seek to eliminate him, as well?

“We had an agreement, as I recall,” he said instead. “I was to remove those who stood between you and the throne, and you were to give me free access to the Elven people in order to seek new converts to the Children of the Hawk. I fulfilled my end of that agreement. Why do you now fail to honor yours?”

“Come, come, Skeal Eile,” she soothed, moving right up against him, placing her hands on his shoulders, pressing herself against him. “Don’t be like this. Things are more complicated than I imagined. I need a little more time. But consider the rewards of your patience. Teonette might lack backbone and common sense, but you do not. I might have need of a new lover and adviser. The position could open up any day now. Why should you not apply?”

He thought about it for exactly the time it took him to remove her hands and back away. “I think I will stay on the other side of that line, Elven Queen. Tempting though the offer is, I prefer my own company.”

She shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “Well, if you are that sort, then I understand. Suit yourself.”

“But I still intend to hold you to your bargain.” He gave her a smile. “Perhaps this would be a good time for you to tell me when and how you intend to honor it—your difficulties with the High Council and the Trolls notwithstanding.”