The day after the newling queen’s confession, Han asked Willo to move him into the visitors’ lodge, where he’d have less supervision and more freedom of movement.

Willo disapproved. “You’ll overtax yourself,” she said. “At least here I can attend you and limit your visitors.”

He could have said, “You’re already letting in all the people I’d like to keep out.” But that wasn’t Willo’s fault. “I don’t need anyone attending me,” he said. “And I’ll get more rest away from all the comings and goings.”

Willo sat down next to Han on the sleeping bench. “What are you going to do, Hunts Alone?” she said.

“Do?” Han rubbed the back of his neck. “About what?”

“About Briar Rose,” she said.

“Who?” Han pretended not to understand. “Oh. The queenling. That girlie has more names than a Ragmarket fancy.”

“Be careful, Hunts Alone,” Willo said, her voice low and urgent. She glanced around as if to make sure no one else was within hearing distance.

“I’m always careful,” Han said. He couldn’t help looking around as well.

“I mean it. If the Demonai realize you are in love with her, they will kill you.”

“Who says I’m in love with her?” Han retorted, avoiding her eyes. “Where do you get that?”

“I saw what was in your face when you handed her down to me at trailside,” Willo said. “I heard what you said. If I can see it, so can others. Never forget that Averill is Demonai first—and he’s no fool. He will not hesitate to kill you if he has any inkling that your intentions are—”

“I don’t have any intentions, all right?” Han growled. “Except for staying alive and getting out of this mess as soon as I can. That will be hard enough to bring off.”

“I know you.” Reaching up, Willo brushed a lock of hair from his eyes. “You will go after what you want, regardless of the risk. And you stand to lose everything.”

I have lost everything, Han thought. Then he corrected himself. Every time I think I’ve lost everything, I find there’s still something else to lose.

“Look,” he said, “I’m not a fool, though I act the part sometimes. I have no illusions about what I mean to Her Highness. I know all about bluebloods, and she’s worse than most. She’s been lying to me from the day we met.”