Han tried to prevent surprise from splashing over his face. “She has?” he blurted. He couldn’t help looking around for Raisa on the dance floor again.

“Easy,” Fiona snapped, jerking her arm away from his hand. “You’re leaking.”

“Sorry,” he said, getting his flash under control. “I’m just surprised is all, after everything that’s happened. Why would she do that?”

Fiona smiled grimly. “Why do you think? Micah is handsome and charming and quite persuasive himself. And he works fast. So if we want to prevent a betrothal or elopement, we need to work fast. I’m willing to snarl up Micah’s plans in my own interest, but it could get very complicated if my brother marries her.”

Complicated? You could say so, Han thought, his belly twisting into a knot. It could get complicated when I murder your brother.

The song ended and they coasted to a stop. And, there, so close he could have spit on them, Han saw Micah Bayar shooing off a glowering Nightwalker. Micah gripped Raisa’s elbows like they belonged to him, smiling down at her, ready to claim the next dance and more. And she was smiling back at him as they glided away.

Micah works fast, Fiona had said. Han’s temper flared. It was bad enough watching her with Nightwalker. How could she even stomach Micah after all he’d done? What was she thinking?

Micah and Raisa swept past again. Micah’s hand was at Raisa’s waist, pressing her closer, his head bent down so he could whisper lies in her ear, his lips practically touching her skin.

I should have killed him when I’d had the chance, Han thought, flexing the fingers on his blade hand. I need to put the Bayars out of the wizard business for good.

“Will you control yourself?” Fiona snapped, jerking away and rubbing her arm. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing,” Han said, refocusing on Fiona’s face. “It’s nothing.”

Fiona eyed him as if she didn’t quite believe him. “We’ll talk soon—I’ll find a way.” She took a step back from Han. “In the meantime, think about what I said.”

C H A P T E R  T H I R T Y - F O U R

SECOND
THOUGHTS

Magret Gray was as good as her word. She did her best to smooth away Cat’s ragged edges and teach her the basic duties of a chambermaid. With Magret’s backing, Cat forged links with the upstairs staff and learned the names and ranks of nearly everyone who frequented the palace on a daily basis. Both Cat and Magret seemed to be determined to make a go of it.