What does it matter? Raisa thought wearily. Why should I worry about what the future holds? Right now, I have very little future to look forward to. I’m a soldier on the eve of a battle I cannot win. Marry a wizard? I’ve already crossed that line. I was willing to, as long as it was Han Alister. Now he’s dead, and another wizard has stepped into his place, offering a fragile hope of survival.

A Fells ruled by wizards is better than a Fells ruled by Gerard Montaigne. If the line survives, we’ll find a way to regain power.

“All right, Micah,” she said. “Suppose I agree to marry you. Do you have some kind of plan for that?”

Micah straightened, looking faintly stunned, as if he’d never expected her to say yes. Then he nodded. “I penetrated Klemath’s lines, using glamours. It’s more difficult now, with Montaigne’s mages, but I think I can get us both out. We’ll go to Gray Lady, since the armory is there. We will marry, followed by my coronation. That will bring all of the gifted in line.”

Once again, Raisa was seized by a prickling unease. She didn’t want to go to Gray Lady, where she would be under the Bayars’ control. Any negotiating power she had would be gone immediately. Micah was convincing, but who knew what Gavan Bayar had planned?

“We’ll govern from Gray Lady until we can retake the city,” Micah said, rushing past the marriage/coronation part. “Hopefully, the copperheads will realize that it is to their benefit to join us. Either way, with the armory at our disposal, we will—”

“Wait a minute, Micah.” Raisa raised both hands, palms out. “I have no reason to trust your father. How do I know he won’t renege once I am under his control?”

“I will make him keep his word,” Micah said, his voice low and deadly. “He’ll keep it or else.”

“I am not traveling to Gray Lady on that frail promise,” Raisa said, dropping her hands into her lap. “Do you take me for a fool?”

“Then what do you propose?” Micah said, his voice edged with frustration.

“Go back to Gray Lady,” Raisa said. “Meet with the Spirit clans and enlist their help in organizing a counterattack. Show me what you can do.”

“The copperheads will never countenance a marriage between us,” Micah said. “You know that.”

“You don’t need to tell them that we plan to marry. They may not agree to help you, but I want you to try. With or without their help, use the armory to break through the siege and free the city. When you’ve done that, I will marry you, with or without the approval of the clans.”