“I didn’t say that,” Micah muttered, glancing around as if they might be overheard. Unfortunately, the corridors were deserted. It was too late even for the late-nighters and too early for the early risers.

“Do you really want to marry me, Micah?” She was genuinely curious. He’d told her they didn’t have a choice. Maybe if he saw a way out of it…

He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. “Who wouldn’t want to marry the princess heir of the Fells?” he said.

“Is that all I am to you? A title?”

He thought a moment, and when he spoke, she thought he told the truth. “You’ve always fascinated me, Raisa. I could always have any girl but you. And you’d never let me get away with anything. You always say what you think.” He almost smiled. “I’d rather kiss you than bed any other girl at court.”

Strange praise, she thought.

“I think we could be good together,” he went on, “once we get through this.”

We could be good together. Not exactly a protestation of love. Nor a promise to give up his wanton ways.

The irony was, she might have given the proposal serious thought, at least, if it were not being forced on her.

They climbed the wide stairs, startling a cat sleeping on the top step, and turned right, past the sleeping Mellony’s room, to Raisa’s suite.

The stocky guardsman Raisa had met earlier leaned against the wall next to the door. When he saw them coming, he straightened and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, looking from Micah to Raisa in confusion.

“You wait here,” Raisa said to Micah. “I’ll just be a few minutes.” She pushed open the door.

After a moment’s hesitation, Micah made as if to follow her in, and the guardsman stepped in front of him. “You heard Her Highness,” the soldier said. “Wait here.” And, blessedly, he pulled the door shut.

Micah must have groped for his amulet, because Raisa heard a sword slide free. “Let go of that thing,” she heard the guardsman say.

She could hear them arguing back and forth, their voices rising. She figured she had a little time. Micah wouldn’t be too alarmed. As far as he knew, there was only one way in and out of her room. She couldn’t very well leap from her window, which was high above the river below. Besides, she’d said nothing to make him think she’d rather leap to her death than marry him. So far.

“Your Highness?” Magret blinked sleepily at her from her chair by the fire. She’d fallen asleep waiting up for her. “What time is it getting to be? I know it’s your name day and all, but…”

“Magret, do you love me?” Raisa asked breathlessly.

“What kind of question is that, my lady?” Magret sputtered. “’Course I—”