“That’s not entirely true,” Iome objected. “My father has sent assassins south over the years. Many of our most cunning warriors have given their lives. Others are held captive. Whatever time we’ve bought, we bought it in part with the lifeblood of our best men.”

“Of course,” Gaborn said in a flippant tone that hinted that he dismissed her father’s efforts. She knew that Gaborn’s father had been preparing for this war for decades, had struggled harder than any other to bring down Raj Ahten. She also realized she’d been trying to goad Gaborn into arguing, but he didn’t have his father’s temper. Iome wanted to dislike Gaborn, to tell herself that under no circumstances would she have been able to love him.

She felt tempted to look at him, but dared not. What if his face shone like the sun? What if he was handsome beyond all telling? Would her heart flutter within her ribs like a moth beating its wings against a glass?

Beyond the castle walls, it was growing dark. The blush of firelight under the deep woods reminded Iome of glowing embers—red flame flickering under leaves of gold and scarlet. Frowth giants moved at the edge of the trees. In the gloaming, one could almost mistake them for haycocks—their golden heads and backs were that shaggy.

“Forgive me for arguing,” Iome said. “I’m in a foul mood. You don’t deserve harsh treatment. I suppose that if we want to fight, we could always go down to the battlefield and carve up a few of Raj Ahten’s troops.”

“Surely you would not go into battle?” Gaborn asked. “Promise me that! Raj Ahten’s swordsmen are not commoners.”

Iome felt tempted to laugh at the idea of going into battle. She kept a small poniard strapped to her leg, under her skirt, as many a proper lady did, and she knew how to use it. But she was no swordswoman. She decided to bait the Prince one more time.

“Why not?” she demanded, only half in jest. “Farmers and merchants man the castle walls! Their lives mean as much to them as ours do to us! They are endowed with only the gifts their mothers gave them at birth. Meanwhile, I have endowments of wit and glamour and stamina to defend me. I may not have a strong sword arm, but why should I not fight?”

She expected Gaborn to warn her how dangerous the battle would be. The frowth giants would have muscles of iron. Raj Ahten’s men each had endowments of brawn, grace, metabolism, and stamina. Moreover, they were trained to war.