If it had been any other men, she would have given them her opinion of that, probably delivered on the end of her stiletto. But Lucivar looked like he’d been pushed hard enough and wouldn’t hesitate to throw her out—through the door. And Saetan and Andulvar Yaslana weren’t the kind of men who would allow anyone to step on their authority as Steward and Master of the Guard.

What really bit her was that Falonar hadn’t looked at her once since she’d managed to win enough of the argument to stay in the room. She would have thought that he’d be grateful to have someone speak in his defense. But he…

Well, that was fine. That was just fine. She didn’t need to be there, wasting her time on a thick-skinned, hard-headed male who didn’t want her there in the first place.

She looked at Lucivar at that moment, saw the sharp amusement in his gold eyes, and knew that, now, if she tried to leave, she would be ordered to stay. So instead of cursing herself for her own stubbornness, she cursed Lucivar instead. And seeing his amusement deepen, realized he knew it—the prick.

Saetan leaned against his blackwood desk and crossed his arms. “Prince Falonar, please explain your actions this morning.”

His voice sounded polite, only mildly curious. Surreal wondered if that was a bad sign.

Falonar responded. In Surreal’s opinion, the dry recitation of actions fell far short of an explanation, but the other men didn’t seem to notice that.

When Falonar finished speaking, Saetan looked at Andulvar and Lucivar, then back at Falonar. “You erred on the side of caution,” Saetan said quietly. “That’s understandable—and, in a Warlord Prince, also unacceptable. You can’t afford the luxury of caution.”

Falonar swallowed hard. “Yes, sir.”

“You do understand that discipline is required?”

“Yes, sir.”

Saetan nodded, appearing satisfied. He looked at Lucivar. “This is your decision.”

Falonar turned to face Lucivar.

Lucivar studied him for a moment. “Five days of extra guard duty, beginning tomorrow.”

Instead of looking relieved, Falonar looked as if he’d been slapped.

“Anything else we need to discuss?” Saetan asked.

Lucivar looked at her, then at Saetan, who, after a pause, dipped his head in the barest of nods.

Lucivar opened the study door and waited.

After bowing to Saetan and Andulvar, Falonar walked out. Since it seemed the proper thing to do, Surreal also bowed to the two men, then followed Falonar out of the study so fast she stepped on his heels.

Swearing, he lengthened his stride, finally stopping when he reached the center of the great hall.

Surreal caught up to him. “Well, that wasn’t—” The dislike and anger in his face as he watched Lucivar approach them stopped her.

“Five days of extra guard duty is an insult,” Falonar said.