I stepped into the room, placing my foot between a spilled wineglass and a tangled heap of stockings. “I fear you have me at a disadvantage. We were never properly introduced.”

The girl snorted, turning to face me. “‘I fear you have me at a disadvantage,’” she repeated. “Well, that’s nice. You can’t have all the advantages.”

Ignoring a stab of annoyance, I tried again. “So … what’s your name?”

“Zaira.”

I waited a moment for a surname before I realized none was coming.

“Well, Zaira, I’m hoping we can get along, since we have to work together for the rest of our lives.” I extended my silk-wrapped package. “I brought you a gift.”

Zaira lifted a contemptuous eyebrow. Without a word, she crossed the room, stepping on clothes and plates, and snatched the parcel out of my hand. This close, I could see the mage mark in her eyes: an extra ring around the pupil. Hers was black, and her irises were so dark it was easy to miss. So that was how she’d managed to hide it.

She tore away the yellow silk, casting it onto the floor, and barely glanced at the amber necklace before tossing it onto the bed.

“This wasn’t enough?” She shook the golden bracelet on her wrist. “You had to get me a collar, too?”

I caught a retort between my teeth and forced a polite smile instead, as if she’d said thank you.

“My lady,” Verdi broke in from behind me. “Perhaps it would be best to try another time.”

I’d forgotten he was there. I turned to find him hovering in the hallway. “Actually, could you give us a few moments alone, Lieutenant?”

“Are you sure?” He didn’t need to say a word of warning; his black eye spoke for him.

“Quite sure.”

“All right,” he agreed dubiously. As he closed the door behind me, he added, “Call if you need me. I’ll wait out here.”

The door clicked shut, leaving me alone with my Falcon.

Before Zaira could speak, I blurted, “I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” Zaira’s brows lifted.

“I only meant to help you. Against those men.”

“Well, if you were trying to help me escape, you did a stinking-awful job.”

“This wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t know I’d bind you to me. But I couldn’t let you burn down the city.”

“So now you’ve trapped me here for the rest of my life.” Zaira tugged at the jess. “Don’t expect me to thank you.”

“I don’t. But we’re both stuck with this situation, and I’d like to make the best of it.”

“That’s very well for you to say. You’re not the one locked up in here.”