“Don’t worry, he kept his promise. Though he could not hide his concern for you.”

Arleej took his hand and held it firmly when he tried to pull away.

“There’s more to this than you’re willing to tell. I would leave you your secrets, but I suspect they’re destroying you. Tell me, Leiard. Obviously Mirar wants you to.”

He shook his head.

“I am already avoiding the White so they do not learn you are keeping something from them. I may as well know the whole truth.”

He looked away. Arleej fell silent. Then she sighed.

“Mirar.”

The name was spoken like an order. A summons. He felt control melt away.

“At last.”

His own voice was different: higher and with an authority and arrogance he’d never possessed. He found himself straightening and turning to regard Arleej.

She stared at him and he saw a hint of fear in her face.

“Why are you doing this to Leiard?”

“For his own good. He cannot continue this affair with Auraya. It will destroy him, and my people.”

Her eyes widened. “Affair?”

“He loves her. She probably loves him, too. It’s pathe—sweet. But dangerous.”

“I see.” She looked away, her gaze intense as she considered what she had just learned. “I do not think Leiard would do anything to harm our people,” she said slowly. “He must believe there is no danger.”

“He is wrong.”

“How so? If this secret remains hidden there is no immediate—”

“Even if accident does not reveal it, you can be sure the gods know.”

She shuddered. “Obviously they don’t disapprove or they would have put a stop to it.”

“They will when it brings them the greatest advantage. You can be sure it will not be for our benefit. Never think that they don’t hate us. We contain memories of darker times, when they were not so benevolent. They do not want their followers to know what they are capable of.”

Arleej had turned a little pale. She grimaced, then shook her head. “Leiard, Leiard. What are you doing?”

Suddenly Leiard had control of himself again. He gasped and raised shaking hands to his face.

“You’re back!” Arleej exclaimed. “I did speak your name,” she added thoughtfully.

“If that is how it works then please don’t speak his name again,” Leiard choked out.

She patted his knee apologetically. “I won’t. I’m sorry.” She paused. “What are you doing, Leiard? The risks you’re taking—”

“Are small,” he finished, taking his hands from his face. “When this war is over, I will retreat to an isolated place. No one need ever know about us.”

“No one? Mirar is right. The gods must know. He may be right about them waiting for the right time to retaliate. You…you have a duty to protect your people. You should end this affair, Leiard.”