“I understand if you think I’m . . . a monster, a demon, any of that. But please understand that I only want the best for Vordan. That’s all. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

“I know.” Marcus shook his head. “I would never—”

“It’s all right. I am a monster. Someday I’ll leave this kingdom and never come back.” Her face tightened. “But not before Vordan is safe.”

“Raesinia . . .” Marcus trailed off, not sure what he’d intended to say. There was a long pause.

“So. Now you know.” Raesinia wiped the blade of the knife on her nightshirt, smearing it further. “Cora stays behind. I come along. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Marcus said.

“Good.” Raesinia turned. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

“Raesinia!” Marcus called as she reached for the door.

She looked over her shoulder. “What?”

“Here.” He walked across the room, avoiding the spatter of blood, and handed her a folded robe. “The guards might be making the rounds. You don’t want to cause . . . comment.”

“Ah.” Raesinia looked down at herself. “Good point.”

*   *   *

RAESINIA

On the whole, she thought, watching Marcus plan the raid the next day, that went as well as could be expected.

The silk nightgown had probably been a little over-the-top, but it was an impractical piece that she’d always hated, and it was good to finally have an excuse to feed it to the fire while indulging her occasional taste for melodrama. And, she had to admit, it had been fun to watch Marcus’ eyes pop.

Viera’s offhand comment had made her wonder a little about Marcus. He didn’t seem to have pursued female company since his arrival in Khandar, but nothing she’d heard made her think that he had left a particular companion somewhere, or that he preferred men for that matter. He had an odd prudishness that made it hard to imagine him, for example, visiting a whorehouse, but at the same time a soldierly earthiness that made it difficult to believe that he never indulged. Perhaps he does, but feels guilty about it afterward. That sounded like Marcus.

Now Viera was hard at work in what had been Twin Turrets’ sitting room, mixing and grinding while there was still daylight to work with. She’d responded enthusiastically to Raesinia’s tentative approach, and hadn’t even asked to hear the plan before beginning her work. I guess she really does just enjoy blowing things up. Andy, for her part, had acquired a riverboat and other necessary gear with impressive efficiency. Whatever Marcus might think, Raesinia was glad to have the girl on her side. Hell, I would have liked to have one or two like her before the revolution.