“Darzin’s still alive,” I said, “so I’m guessing Thurvishar hasn’t fulfilled his promises.”

“He said it would be up to me,” Talea said, “but he explained—” She paused, taking my hand again. “He explained what they’re trying to do. I may hate Darzin, but they are trying to take down the empire. Slavery isn’t a feature of Yoran culture—Kaen won’t allow it to continue once he’s in charge. And what price wouldn’t I pay for a Quur without slavery?”

Truly, her willpower left me awed. I felt equally skeptical about the motives of royals. The Royal Houses rested on a foundation of slavery, greed, and pain. I didn’t think anyone whose fortunes rested upon such a base would be eager to undermine the source of their wealth.

Oh, I understood Kaen’s motives: Yor felt lashed to a Quuros yoke, so it made sense to smash the empire first, before Yor declared itself free.

The royal families, though? All they wanted was more power. Always more power.

“It must be torture seeing him alive and breathing,” I said at last.

Talea shrugged. “Not once I started training with Xivan. I’ve rarely left the caves. And even then—” Talea chuckled. “He did see me once, when I first arrived with Thurvishar. Can you believe that bastard didn’t even recognize me?”

“But now you’ve left the caves.” The idea Talea would now have to deal with Darzin horrified me. “He’s going to be here. He’s here rather a lot.”

“No,” she said, grinning. “I won’t be running into him. And I have you to thank.”

“You do?”

“The Hon banished Darzin from the court as punishment for his role in plotting to kill you. Darzin may send someone else in his place as an emissary, but he’s not allowed here again himself.”

I didn’t feel like pointing out Darzin might have been accused unfairly. “I’m glad to hear it. I admit I didn’t relish seeing him again.”

“He’s a monster.” The bitterness and hate returned to her voice.

Even as a monster myself, I couldn’t disagree.

She reached out a hand and touched my cheek, lingered just south of my lower lip. “Would you like me to stay with you tonight?”

I felt a tremor shiver down me from cheek to loins. I hesitated. “Are you asking to share my bed?”

Her smile faltered. “Only if you want. I hope I haven’t offended. If you prefer men…”

I didn’t quite laugh. The desire to pull her to me, to cup her head in my hands, kiss her open-mouthed, and push her back onto the bed felt overwhelming. Did I want this? Oh yes.

I picked up her hand and kissed her calloused fingertips, each in turn. I felt her shiver. “Nothing would please me more.”

46: THE SEARCH FOR THE BLACK KNIGHT