“Well,” he said, looking into her eyes, “there were times that I did not think you would live long enough to be queen.”

“No thanks to your father,” Raisa said, nodding to where Lord and Lady Bayar stood watching the dancers.

“No thanks to my father,” Micah agreed.

“But thanks, in part, to you, I suppose,” Raisa said generously. Micah was looking almost honorable in comparison to Gerard Montaigne.

Micah smiled faintly and drew her in closer, brushing his lips over her neck.

Raisa stiffened and drew back. “Careful, Bayar,” she said. She couldn’t help looking around for Han. He’d made her self-conscious, which was maybe the idea. She didn’t see Han, but she did see Nightwalker watching them, his face a thundercloud.

“Accept my apologies, Your Highness,” Micah said, not looking sorry at all. “It’s just that you are irresistible tonight.”

“Try harder,” Raisa said bluntly.

“How does it feel?” Micah asked. “Being queen, I mean?”

“It’s not official until tomorrow, remember,” Raisa said. “But it’s already a little daunting, I’m afraid. I don’t like it that Gerard Montaigne rushed up here within days of murdering his brother. Now he’s got two big armies and nothing to do with them.”

“I don’t like it either,” Micah said. “It would help us if his brother had lived a little longer. Do you think the thanes will go with Gerard? Or will those who supported Geoff rally around someone else?”

“I don’t know,” Raisa said honestly. “We need better intelligence from Arden.”

“We need better weapons,” Micah said. “Then the intelligence wouldn’t matter so much. If the Wizard Council perceives that Montaigne presents an imminent threat, I cannot say what they will do.”

“Oh, don’t start,” Raisa said. “Let’s see if we can get through the rest of this dance without talking about politics.”

“Mmm. What should we talk about instead?” He stroked her hair. “Remember how we used to slip away from boring parties?”

“Don’t think that’s going to happen tonight,” Raisa said. Lifting her head, her gaze fell on Mellony, who watched, tight-lipped, from the edge of the dance floor. Though her sister had been the object of continuous male attention all night long, she still seemed fixed on Micah.

I hope this isn’t going to go on forever, Raisa thought.

They danced in silence after that, until the song ended. Raisa drew away from Micah, but he kept his hands on her shoulders. “What are you doing after the dance?” he said. “I know somewhere we can go to be alone.”

“That’s enough, Micah,” Raisa said sharply. “I’m going to be alone in my bed.”

“Well, now. That’s a shame, Your Highness,” somebody said, practically in her ear.

They both swung around. Han Alister bowed. “I believe I’m next on the list,” he said.