“Does she?” The words were out before she could stop herself from speaking them. She recovered with a smile. “This isn’t the right time to pursue that particular discussion, Uncle.”

He studied her a moment and nodded. “No, I suppose not. Can you stay for dinner? Jera and I would like that very much.”

She begged off, having already decided to spend the evening with Arlingfant. But she agreed to come the following day and have dinner with them then.

She remained awhile longer, speaking of other things, particularly of the King’s health and the demands of his office. Her grandfather was not particularly old, but he had not been well for the past two years, afflicted with a variety of illnesses and injuries, laid up or slowed by one thing after the other to the point that he had begun to ponder openly the possibility of stepping aside in favor of Phaedon. Indeed, the possibility had become a probability. It was only a question of time.

Finally, the day wearing on and the conversation dwindling to long pauses, Aphenglow made her excuses and departed for home. She always enjoyed her time with Ellich and Jera. She supposed they had become her surrogate parents, the ones she missed and still needed, substitutes of the best kind. It made her sad to know she was closer to them than to her mother, but there seemed to be no help for it. She no longer had any hope of being able to change their relationship unless she gave up her Druid robes, which she would never do.

She had almost reached her little cottage, walking down the familiar path that led to her doorstep, when she saw someone sitting on the steps of her porch. She slowed, trying unsuccessfully to make out who it was. She had almost decided to turn back, to circle around and come in from behind. But the figure on the porch—with eyes as keen as her own—had already seen her, risen, and was waiting. She had no choice but to continue on the path if she did not want to look foolish or frightened, and so she did.

As she approached, she took a quick inventory of her visitor, whose features she could better discern now. A young man, close to her own age. Tall and lean beneath loose-fitting forest clothing, sporting a shock of unruly hair cut short and so blond it was almost white. No visible weapons save a long knife strapped to his waist. Skin burned brown by long hours in the sun, brilliant blue eyes that didn’t look as if they missed much. The promise of a nice smile revealed in a faint twisting at the corners of his mouth.

She had never seen him before and had no idea who he was. But she found herself intrigued.

“Hello, Aphen,” he greeted. “I’m told you need a bodyguard. I would like you to consider me.”