When he had returned from Avempartha the previous summer, he had decided to reveal his secret to her, to be completely open and honest. Royce had never told anyone about being an elf, not even Hadrian. He expected that she would hate him, either for being a miserable mir or for deceiving her. He had taken Gwen for a walk down the bank of the Galewyr, away from people to lessen the embarrassment of her outrage. He had braced himself, said the words, and waited for her to hit him. He had decided to let her. She could scratch his eyes out if she wanted. He owed her at least that much.

“Of course you’re elven,” she had said while touching his hand kindly. “Was that supposed to be a secret?”

How she had known, she never explained. He had been so overwhelmed with joy to bother asking. Gwen just had a way of always knowing his heart.

“What is it?” she asked again now.

“Why haven’t you packed?”

Gwen paused and smiled. That was her way of letting him know he would not get away with it. “Because there is no need. The imperial army isn’t attacking us.”

Royce raised an eyebrow. “The king himself has his things packed and his horse at the ready to evacuate the city on a moment’s notice, but you know better?”

She nodded.

“And how is that?”

“If there was the slightest chance that Medford was in danger, you wouldn’t be here asking me why I haven’t packed. I’d be on Mouse’s back holding on for dear life as you spurred her into a run.”

“Still,” he said, “I’d feel better if you moved to the monastery.”

“I can’t leave my girls.”

“Take them with you. Myron has plenty of room.”

“You want me to take whores to live in a monastery with monks?”

“I want you to be safe. Besides, Magnus and Albert are there too, and I can guarantee you they’re not monks.”

“I’ll consider it.” She smiled at him. “But you’re leaving on another mission, so it can wait until you get back.”

“How do you know these things?” he asked, amazed. “Alric ought to hire you instead of us.”

“I’m from Calis. It’s in our blood,” she told him with a wink. “When do you leave?”

“Soon … tonight, perhaps. I left Hadrian at The Rose and Thorn to watch for a messenger.”

“Have you decided to tell Hadrian yet?”

He looked away.

“Oh, so that’s it. Don’t you think you should?”