Kyra hadn’t realized how tense she’d been until a wave of relief swept over her. She swayed slightly on her feet. “I accept the judgment of the Council.”

“Take care you do not abuse the Council’s good faith in this matter.” The threat in his eyes belied his formal tone.

Kyra said nothing.

Willem put his documents aside. “You are dismissed.”

She let the Red Shields escort her out through the atrium, and then to the compound gates. Nobles and staff hurried about their tasks, and no one paid her any particular heed. The soldiers left her just outside the main gate. Alone in the open air, Kyra finally felt the tightness drain out of her muscles. It was hard to believe that she was actually free. She was turning toward the southwest district when she saw a familiar form waiting by the compound wall. Tristam inclined his head in greeting. His clothing was different, she noticed. He still wore a tunic of Palace red, but it lacked the knight insignia, and her heart fell. Kyra suddenly felt uncertain as she approached him. His expression was calm. Not bitter, but he looked at her as if he didn’t know what to expect. And neither did she. It was hard to know what a stolen kiss in the forest meant, after all that had happened.

“It worked,” Tristam said quietly. “I almost can’t believe it.”

She nodded. “For now. Though it will be a long time before I see a Red Shield without getting the urge to run.” She stopped. Here she was, celebrating her release, while Tristam had been punished. “I’m sorry. About your sentence.”

He gave a slight shake of his head. “One year is nothing. It could have been much worse.”

She suspected he was downplaying the repercussions, but there was no point in dwelling on it. It was strange, how much difference one’s surroundings could make. When it had just been the two of them in the forest, it was easy to overlook their differences. But here, even in his guard’s tunic, Tristam looked like he belonged at the Palace. It was written all over his bearing, his refined speech. She, on the other hand, was from a different world altogether.

“So what will you do now?” he asked.

“I’ll lay low for a while. I had some coin that made it through the fire, and Flick’s found a place near his quarters where I can live with Lettie and Idalee. Malikel wants my help dealing with the Assassins Guild and the Demon Riders. I’ll work with him for now, at least until I learn more about what’s going on. He makes me nervous sometimes, but I respect him.”

“So does that mean I’ll be seeing you around?”

“Most likely.” For a moment, neither of them spoke. Kyra looked up at him. “Take care, then. Until next time.”