“Third, you need to keep teaching me manners,” he broke in. “Protocol, dress, dancing, everything I need to know to be at court. Twice a week, an hour, minimum.”

“Really?” Raisa raised an eyebrow. “Seems to me you’re doing all right on your own—when you make the effort, that is. But if that’s what you want, I will arrange for a tutor to—”

“No.” He shook his head. “You. I want you to do it, just the two of us. It will give us a good excuse to meet in private on a regular basis.” There was something in his gaze, something that suggested this was some kind of test that she needed to pass.

Raisa pressed her lips together to keep any words from spilling. And nodded her assent. Access was one of a monarch’s favors to give away, and Han wanted guaranteed access on an ongoing basis. It was clever on his part.

“All right,” she said. “There can’t possibly be anything else.”

“One last thing. I want you to name me to the Wizard Council,” Han said.

Raisa stared at him. “What?”

“Back at Oden’s Ford, when I asked about the council, you said that the queen appoints one member. That’s what I want.”

“I thought you hated the Wizard Council,” Raisa said. “Why would you want to be a member?”

“Maybe I want to be a member of a club that would never let me in otherwise,” Han said. “Just to give them the itches.”

“Isn’t that whom you’re supposed to be fighting?” Raisa’s voice rose.

Han put his finger to his lips. “Shhh. I’ll be hacking at the council from the inside. But the Demonai won’t understand. That’s one reason I need a stipend from you.”

“If they think you’ve turned, you’ll be risking more than your income,” Raisa said.

“I’ll take that chance,” Han said. “I’ll be working for you, and you’re the queen, right?”

Raisa rubbed her forehead. “Are you sure you’re not a trader under the skin?” she asked.

“We’re all traders in Ragmarket,” Han said.

Raisa thought it over. Truth be told, she preferred Han Alister to most anyone else she could think of appointing to the council. He was likely less dangerous, since he had no preexisting alliances or family connections. And she couldn’t imagine that he’d ever ally himself with the Bayars. “All right,” Raisa said. “I’ll appoint you to the Wizard Council.”

Han spit in his palm and held out his hand.

Rolling her eyes, Raisa spit in her own palm and clasped his.

“Briar Rose?”

Raisa looked up, startled. Reid Nightwalker had approached without her noticing. His dark eyes flicked from Raisa to Han. “The horses are grained and rested and we’re ready to go,” he said. “It’s another two hours to Marianna Peak.”