He cleared his throat. “I don’t understand him, Tea, and I thought I was good at figuring out people. He gets mad at me for things I have no control over, and blows up when I try to help. The runic wards are for his own protection. He can’t simply undo them whenever he feels like it because he’s an asha who can. You’ve scolded him before, and so has Kalen, but he never blows his fuse with you two the way he does with me!”

I stared at him, mouth agape. Was he seriously that oblivious? Had I been as oblivious with Kalen? That thought alone stopped me from laughing in his face. It wasn’t my place to tell him. It wasn’t likely he would believe me even if I did. That was Likh’s job now.

“Likh values your opinion more than he does either Kalen’s or mine. And he dissolved his wards to save you. I’d like to believe he was expecting a bit more gratitude than anger. Do you like him?”

Khalad looked astounded. “What? Me? I—I don’t know. I’m not in the habit of thinking of people—of anyone—that way. We’re… Heartforgers aren’t supposed to—”

“It’s not unheard of. I can cite a couple of instances of heartforgers marrying and raising children.”

“Ah, I don’t think the latter would be possible with Likh, Tea.”

I opened my mouth but caught myself. Likh’s desires weren’t my business to tell either. “There can be more to a family than children, Khalad. Or you can adopt. Or there could be other ways. I think you should talk to him first. Don’t start with anger or explain why he shouldn’t risk his life for yours. Just talk to him. No—listen. He doesn’t want to hear solutions. He wants you to hear him out.”

Khalad sighed. “I suppose I can try.”

“Lady Tea?” One of the soldiers poked his head into the room. “Stefan wants to see you immediately.”

Kalen was with Lord Stefan, Lord Besserly, and the other ministers when we entered the stateroom, though he didn’t look happy. “Lady Tea,” the First Minister started, clearing his throat several times. His heartsglass was crystal blue. “We have news.”

“I trust that the matter of choosing warriors for the azi has been settled amicably?”

“Yes. But that’s not what I refer to. A raven arrived from Kion, from the asha association.”

The room turned cold. Khalad muttered something indistinct.

“It’s a bit troubling, milady. They’ve accused you of fleeing the kingdom after murdering some villagers, including your own sister. I trust Lady Mykaela and know that she vouches for you, but if you have been found guilty as it says, we cannot take that lightly. They request you be placed under arrest and taken back to Kion pending your sentence.”