Turning back to Falonar, she brushed her fingers against the stick. “Do you think I’ll ever get half that good with one of these?” She half expected some dismissive comment, but when he didn’t answer, she looked up to see him studying her seriously.

“If you can become half as proficient with this as she is, you’ll be able to take down any male except an Eyrien warrior,” Falonar said slowly. “And you’ll be able to take down half of them as well.” Then he looked at Marian. “Are you all right, Lady?”

Marian let out a shuddering breath. “I’m fine, thank you, Prince Falonar. It’s just…sometimes when they’re so intense…”

Falonar bowed just enough to show respect, then left them to talk with Hallevar.

“Are you really all right?” Surreal asked, drawing Marian a little ways away from the crowd.

Marian’s smile was a trifle strained. “Lucivar’s always tense after he’s been at the service fair, and he’s been worried about Daemon.”

Looking back, Surreal saw Daemon walking toward the Hall with the High Lord. Well, that was one worry out of the way for the moment.

She also noticed the way Jaenelle kept glancing at Daemon while Lucivar piled food on a plate. She smiled.

“Usually I can help him relieve the tension,” Marian continued.

Her self-conscious expression told Surreal exactly how Marian helped relieve the tension. The woman had guts to get into a bed with a man like Lucivar when his temper was already on the edge.

“Since that wasn’t an option this time…”

No, Surreal thought as Marian gave her a speculative look. If Lucivar had never suggested an alternative to intercourse, she certainly wasn’t going to supply the information.

After a moment, Marian shrugged. “Usually when Jaenelle is his sparring partner, they just keep working through the moves until he’s sweated out the tension. But this morning…Jaenelle’s relatives showing up like this has put her on edge, too.”

“Yeah, seeing her family again isn’t a reason to cheer.”

Marian stiffened. “Her family lives here.”

“Yes,” Surreal said after a minute, “I guess they do.”

2 / Kaeleer

Wilhelmina walked silently beside Lucivar as he escorted her to her room. She wished he would put his arm around her. Maybe then she would stop shivering. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel so afraid.

That was funny. A few hours ago, she’d been terrified of him, especially after she’d seen him and Jaenelle attacking each other with the sticks.

Afterward, she’d tried to slip back to the Hall before anyone noticed because she’d been sure her heart would just burst if any of those Eyrien warriors snarled at her when she couldn’t do the exercises properly. But Lucivar had noticed her slinking away. He’d grabbed the back of her tunic and hauled her into the practice circle.