No one was looking, so I gave his hand a quick squeeze. He returned the pressure, his fingers lingering on mine.

Zaira seemed ready to take Scoundrel into the Mews, and I had unfinished business with her. “If you don’t mind,” I said to Marcello, “I’d like a private word with Zaira before I go.”

“Of course.” He gave me a look that would keep me warm for the rest of the day, then turned to take Istrella’s arm.

I caught up with Zaira before she entered the Mews. “Can I talk with you?”

She raised her brows. “Last I checked, nobody had any luck stopping you from talking.” But she whistled to Scoundrel and walked with me along the dock. Soon we stood alone at the end of it, save for the restless gulls.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For everything you did in Ardence.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t do it for you.”

“I’m sorry you had to leave Domenic behind.”

“Him?” Zaira’s mouth curled into a smile. “Oh, he’s pretty. I’ll miss him, until we see him again. But there are so very many other fish in the sea.”

I struggled to find the words I needed. “Still. It doesn’t feel right, bringing you back here. You never wanted to be a Falcon.”

She stared out across the secretive waters of the lagoon. “When you brought me here, I had no choice. But in Ardence, I did. And I made my choice then.”

“What, the choice Ignazio offered you?” I shook my head. “To be his Falcon, instead of Raverra’s? That hardly counts.”

Zaira snorted. “Do you think I’m an idiot? No, not his stupid offer.”

“What, then?”

“I could have burned everyone in that room, taken the jess, and paid some random brat too small to know what it meant to put it on me and say, ‘Exsolvo.’ I could have walked out of there a free woman.”

I stared, aghast. “That … would have worked.”

“Yes. It would have.” Zaira grinned. “I make good plans, don’t I?”

Good was a relative term. “But you didn’t do it.”

“No. And now I am here by choice.” Zaira turned to face the Mews, a challenge in her eyes. “It’s far from perfect, but it’s better than most of the available alternatives, I suppose. And the company isn’t terrible. I don’t promise I won’t change my mind, but I’ll stay here for a little while.”

“I’m glad. And not just because the other way, I’d have had to die.” I held out my hand. “You’re a good partner, and an excellent friend. I have a lot to learn from you.”

She took my hand with a grin. “About time you realized it.”

We walked into the Mews side by side.

The story continues in …

The Defiant Heir

Book 2 of the Swords and Fire series