“Oh, it does,” Bird said, her eyes lighting with enthusiasm. “I thought I knew about tracking and traveling light on the land, but I’ve learned so much about weaponry and battle strategy. Nightwalker is a wonderful teacher, so patient and...” Her voice trailed off when she focused on Han’s face.

He tried to reorganize whatever it displayed into an expression of polite interest, to cover up his thoughts, which were, They call him Nightwalker because he visits all his girlfriends whenever he’s in camp.

Bird changed topics. “So. How have you been? You are taking classes in jinx…in wizardry, then?”

Han nodded. “We just took our end-of-terms. Our examinations. That’s one year down, out of three or four.”

“Have you learned very much, or is it mostly... preliminary?” Bird asked. There was something in her face that told Han she wasn’t just making small talk. Apprehension prickled between his shoulder blades.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Han said, thinking of Crow. “I still have plenty to learn.”

We sound like enemies meeting in the market, jousting for position, Han thought.

He tried to think of something else to say. “Didn’t Nightwalker come with you?”

She shook her head. “I came alone. He is busy organizing strategy for summer. We were already spread thin because of the problems along the border with Arden. And now there’s a new crisis. That’s why I came here to see you.”

No apology, then, Han thought. Let alone a rekindled romance. “Reid needs some advice?” he asked. “Or is there trouble between the two of you?”

Bird frowned. “You’re different,” she said. “I don’t know if I like you as well.”

“What do you want, Bird?” Han said. “I have things to do.”

Bird leaned forward, hands on her knees, her expression grave. “We’ve received word that Queen Marianna has given way to pressure from the High Wizard and plans to name Princess Mellony as her heir.” She sat back, dropping her hands into her lap and looking at Han as if she expected him to leap up and cry, “Not while I live and breathe!”

“Who’s Princess Mellony again?” Han asked, pretending ignorance.

Bird drew her brows together in a frown. “She’s Princess Raisa’s younger sister.”

“Ah. Hmmm. Well, what does Princess Raisa say about it?”

“She’s in hiding. She ran away back in midsummer, on her name day.”

That seemed familiar. “Oh. Right. I heard she had a fight with the queen.”

“They tried to marry her off to Micah Bayar, the son of the High Wizard.” Again, she looked at him expectantly, as if anticipating some violent reaction.

Huh, Han thought. That’s interesting. So poor Micah got left at the altar. Wish I’d known that yesterday.

“Why do the Demonai care which princess is heir?” Han said. “Long as the princesses aren’t fighting about it.”