“Anyway, don’t worry about Ragmarket,” Han said, stepping back, pulling free of her grasp. “It’s the shoulder tap in the back hall of the palace you should worry about.” He seemed determined not to get into the unfinished business between them.

“I know that,” Raisa said, giving up. “Despite that, I plan to return to Fellsmarch Castle tonight, as queen-to-be.”

Han glanced over his shoulder to where the Demonai were busy with the horses. “They’re not going to be happy about that idea,” he said. “’Specially Nightwalker. He can’t control you down in the city.”

“He doesn’t control me now,” Raisa snapped.

“He means to marry you,” Han said, staring out over the valley. “Just so you know.”

Raisa resisted the impulse to look back at Nightwalker. “What makes you think that?”

“He’s not that hard to figure out.” He lifted his chin, the angled light revealing a faint reddish stubble in profile.

Raisa wrenched her mind back to the conversation. “Well, if he wants to marry me, he’ll have to stand in line,” she said. “I’m sick and tired of being a means to an end.”

Han turned to look at her, puzzlement flickering over his face. “A means to an end. You? What do you mean?”

“Everybody wants to marry the bloody throne. Nobody would be interested if I lived in Ragmarket. I think I’ll stay a maid.”

“You have to marry, right? So you can assure a peaceful succession?” He’d resumed his carefully blank expression, but she noticed his hands were fisted at his sides.

“Like the one we’re having right now?” She waited, and when he said nothing, went on. “I know you agree with me,” Raisa said. “I need to get back to the palace immediately or chance losing the throne.”

“And you’re telling me this because…?”

“I need your help. To return to Fellsmarch, I mean. I’ll need protection.”

Han shrugged. “Wasn’t that the agreement? That I’d fight the Wizard Council on behalf of the clans and the true line of queens?” That detached, mocking tone was becoming annoyingly familiar.

I’ve hurt him, Raisa thought. I’ve hurt him badly, and violated his trust. Somehow I have to find a way to win it back. To win him back. To prove myself to him.

“I wasn’t there when the agreement was made,” Raisa said, looking into his eyes. “Anyway, that was between you and the clans. I know you’re still resentful of the bargain you made—understandably. I don’t need some grudging, halfhearted letter-of-the-law effort. That will get me killed.”

“That’d be a shame,” Han murmured. He paused, thinking, his fair brows drawn together. “Isn’t that Corporal Byrne’s job? Protecting you, I mean? You planning to make him Captain of the Queen’s Guard?”