“I haven’t been…” He stopped when she glared at him. “All right. It’s just…my Da had a talk with me.”

“And said what?”

“Well.” He flushed. “He said a lot. The main thing is, I’m in the Guard now, and that means I’m on duty all day, every day. If we’re to do our job protecting the royal family, we have to keep a certain…distance.” He cleared his throat. “And, well…I could see his point.”

“See what point? I’m not allowed to have friends?” Raisa knew she was being unfair, but she was in no mood for fair play, and he was the only available target. Plus, the only time he left off his military correctness and turned into the Amon she knew was when she got him angry.

“Of course we’re friends, but we—”

“We’re not allowed to talk to each other, is that it?” Raisa pulled her long plait of hair forward and rebraided it.

“We can talk to each other, but—”

“Only across a crowded room?” She scooted closer. “Is this too close?” And closer. “How about this?” Until her hip was pressing against his.

“Raisa, will you let me finish a sentence at least?” he growled, but didn’t move away. “I don’t know where it’s coming from, but Da said people are talking about us. He threatened to post me to Chalk Cliffs if he hears any more about it.”

Raisa put her hand on his arm. “He wouldn’t.” Chalk Cliffs was a port on the Indio Ocean, hundreds of miles away.

He lifted an eyebrow. “Aye. He would. So if that’s what you want…”

“Are you going to let Micah Bayar dictate who I see and talk to?”

He stared at her. “What?”

“Micah spoke to his father about seeing us outside my room the other night. Lord Bayar spoke to the queen, and the queen spoke to your father.”

“The queen’s involved in this?” He raked back his hair, looking bewildered. “I don’t get it.” He paused. “I was wondering if you and Micah were, you know…” He couldn’t seem to find the word he wanted and stopped, cleared his throat. “Last night, I didn’t know if…” He ran out of words again and stared down at his hands.

That wasn’t really a topic she wanted to discuss with Amon Byrne.

“Never mind Micah,” Raisa said. “He’s just used to getting his own way. But something’s going on. I just haven’t figured out what, yet. I need friends I can trust. I need somebody on my side.”

“I’m on your side, Rai,” Amon said quietly. “Always. You know that.”

Raisa took his hand in hers. “Then help me.”

He eyed her warily. “Help you how?”