Talon couldn't resist pointing out, "If you had listened to me this morning and hadn't sent me away, he wouldn't have had the opportunity."

"I know." The regret in the Princess's voice was genuine, though her speech was still a little slurred. "But I've made up my mind. I want you to be my first kiss."

"No."

"I can make you."

"No, you can't. What are you going to do, tell your father?"

"Maybe," Shasta responded with a sly glint in her eye. "I could tell him about that dancer you brought up here last autumn."

"What?" Talon stared at Shasta in disbelief.

The Princess gave a little smile. "Didn't think I knew about that, did you? Panna told me how you paid that showmaster all the money Captain Vaughn gave you to bring a little redheaded dancer up here. To my room."

"It wasn't like that," Talon said. "Nothing happened. I just wanted to keep her from getting beaten for my mistake."

"I wonder if that's what Father will think when he finds out," Shasta said triumphantly.

"Princess, you can't-"

"Just one kiss, Talon. It's not like I'm asking you to marry me."

Talon sighed. "This is a very bad idea." But Shasta had already scooted out of her own bed. Sitting on the low cot next to Talon, she closed her eyes and lifted her face expectantly.

Talon didn't know what else to do. Shasta didn't know that Talon wasn't a man, but the King certainly did. She couldn't imagine how she'd be able to explain to him why she'd paid for an entertainer to accompany her to the Princess's chambers during the Harvest Benediction. It would have been shameful enough had she been a man, but as a woman, she had the sinking feeling that the King would be even less understanding. Talon took a deep breath and gave the Princess a peck on the lips.

Shasta's eyes flew open. "Not fair," she said petulantly. "I want a real kiss. That one was just exactly like how Father greets me every morning."

Talon grimaced. "The King's going to kill me."

"Who's going to tell him? There's no one else here."

Shasta lifted her face again, and Talon didn't have any choice. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Shasta's, more firmly this time. Shasta lifted a hand to Talon's cheek, and the gentle brush of her fingers caused an explosion within Talon that was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Her arms came up of their own volition, drawing her small charge close. Her skin felt like it was tingling everywhere Shasta touched it, and for the first time Talon knew what desire was. She found herself wanting...no, longing for Shasta's touch, in a way that she'd never thought possible.

Hungrily she moved her lips against Shasta's and thrust her tongue gently against small pearly teeth until they parted, allowing her access to the warm sweetness of the Princess's mouth. She tasted the tea and a lingering hint of wine, and for a breathless moment Talon's tongue danced with the Princess's small one, until Talon knew she had to stop this before it went so far that she was unable to call a halt.

She pulled away without meeting the Princess's eyes. "Happy?" she asked, her voice huskier than she would have liked.

Shasta just sat quietly, her fingers coming up to touch her lips wonderingly. "Wow," was all she said, and Talon gave a short laugh that was harsher than she intended.

"Now, will you please go back to bed and let me get some sleep?"

Shasta hesitated for a few seconds, but then she rose and crawled back into her own bed. With a loud, contented yawn, she blew out the light.

Talon lay back on her pillow and listened as the Princess's breathing gradually deepened into an even, soft rhythm. On the ceiling above them, the shadows formed long patterns against the stone. What in the name of the Goddess was that? she asked herself over and over again.

She'd found herself intrigued, even aroused, by the kisses of others, but never had she felt like this, like a fire had been kindled in her very skin at the Princess's lightest touch. Even now her body ached with the desire to take Shasta back into her arms, to wake the sleeping girl and kiss her once more until they were both senseless. It was terrible, she told herself, completely impossible. The Princess was like a sister to her, and Talon felt dirty for even thinking such a thing. Only, at that moment, her feelings for Shasta were anything but sisterly.

With a low groan Talon rolled onto her side. Sleep would be a long time coming that night.

The next morning Talon could barely bring herself to meet Shasta's eyes, but she did her best to seem cheerful and unruffled. Shasta didn't mention their kiss from the night before, and that suited Talon just fine. She wasn't sure what exactly the Princess had done to her, but she could barely look at her young charge going about her morning preparations without feeling the same fire from last night reignite low in her stomach. What's wrong with me? she chided herself in near desperation. It didn't used to be like this.

Talon agonized throughout breakfast and morning prayers, certain that everyone who looked at her could see the guilt written plainly on her face. Just standing near the Princess was difficult; the sweet fragrance of her hair was constant torture. Talon was so ashamed of herself that she was surprised no one else seemed to notice her discomfort.

As usual, the Princess took lunch in her chambers, and Erinda bustled around the sitting room pouring tea and serving the plates. Talon watched the chambermaid closely as she worked, and Erinda, sensing her gaze, rewarded her with seductive smiles. Talon knew she shouldn't, but she had to do something or else continue to endure this silent shame for who knew how long. As Erinda came to refill her teacup, Talon reached up and caught the chambermaid's wrist.

Erinda looked down at her, surprised, and Talon returned her gaze evenly. The maid's lips parted and her eyes widened in understanding. Then a slow smile spread across her face and she nodded slightly. Talon released her wrist, filled with a strange sense of relief as Erinda finished up her duties and took leave of the room.

That night, when the Princess had finished her bath and sat in a chair toweling her hair and humming softly, Talon rose from her spot by the fire.

"I'm going to bathe now," she said, removing her jacket and leaving it on her chair.

"Good," Shasta affirmed cheerfully. "It's about time, you haven't had a bath yet this quarter-moon. Have fun."

Trying to seem nonchalant, Talon ducked into the privy chamber and slid one of the dressing chairs in front of the door. Erinda was waiting for her inside.

As Talon began to unbutton her shirt, the chambermaid stepped forward to help.

"We have to be quiet," Talon said.

A sultry smile spread across Erinda's face. "Well then, Corporal, I hope I remember to whisper when I'm calling out your name."

Chapter Ten.

The darkness was moving. We, the Daughters of Ithyris, could feel the cold shadow creeping farther across our lands with every passing moon. And we began to wonder-what was Ulrike waiting for? Patience was never one of the strengths of the Flesh God. Our Divine Lady also seemed to be biding Her time. The only answer the Goddess offered when we asked for Her intervention was a quiet, "Not yet."

And so we directed our prayers as She led us, over the nobles and viceroys who ruled Her people. We prayed that they might be gifted with Her wisdom and compassion. We prayed that their hearts would be guarded from Ulrike's influence. But most of all, we prayed that our leaders would listen to the voice of the Goddess as She prepared to defend Ithyria from the greatest evil threat it had faced in a millennium...

"What do you mean, you're not going to dismiss him?" Shasta repeated incredulously. "You said you would think about it. Father, Chancellor Kumire ought to be executed for even laying a hand on me. How can you keep him on as my tutor after what he did?"

Soltran rolled his eyes. "Shasta, don't be so melodramatic. Yes, the chancellor made an error in judgment, and yes, I did think very seriously about sending him away. But I have spoken at length with him, and with his father, Archduke Fickett. Kumire has admitted his fault in the matter and apologized like a gentleman. It was three quarter-moons ago, and he has been on perfect behavior ever since, has he not?"

"I cannot believe what I am hearing!" Shasta exclaimed in frustration. "An apology hardly makes up for the way he treated me. He had no right to-"

"No, he didn't." Her father gave her a stern glare. "But it is not entirely his fault, is it?"

Shasta's mouth dropped open. "It most certainly is!"

"Shasta," Soltran pulled a chair from the table in the conference hall and sat down, "Kumire is a well-bred and honorable man"-Shasta gave a derisive snort, and the King lifted an eyebrow-"but he is still young and hot-blooded, and certainly not immune to your charms, my daughter. Did you really expect him to behave differently, when you were clinging to his arm all night long, dressed in a gown that was obviously designed to attract his attention? You snuck out from under Captain Vaughn's nose so you could lead the chancellor away from the party, alone. Of course he thought you were welcoming his advances."

Shasta felt her cheeks burn, partly from embarrassment, but mostly from anger. "That's not how it happened, Father," she protested. Her memory of the evening was fuzzy at best, but she was certain she would never have contrived to be alone with Kumire. "And even if it were, it shouldn't matter. If the chancellor were truly honorable as you say, he would have stopped when I told him to." She waved an arm at her guardian, who was standing quietly by the door. "Talon over there has more honor in his littlest finger than Kumire does in his entire body. Talon sleeps by my bedside, for the love of the Goddess, and has never so much as looked at me with the kind of disrespect Kumire demonstrated the other night."

Talon shifted his weight, suddenly looking very uncomfortable as the King eyed him thoughtfully.

"Yes, well," Soltran said, clearing his throat, "this situation is a little different."

"I don't see how. If any other man in the palace had tried to force his attentions on me like that, you would have him dangling by his neck from the nearest tree. I cannot believe you would let Chancellor Kumire get away with this."

"He did not mean you any harm. In fact, he adores you."

Shasta stared. "You still expect me to marry him eventually, don't you?" She knew by the look on his face that was exactly what he was hoping. Furiously, she said, "I hate him. I don't want to have to endure even one more afternoon of lessons with him. Father, I demand that you send him back to Mondera immediately."

"Your Majesty?" The door to the conference hall swung inward, and Archduke Fickett stood in the doorway, a cool smile on his face. "Your Majesty, the last of the viceroys have arrived."

"Thank you, Your Excellency. Come in, please, and take a seat. We will begin shortly."

Shasta watched the elderly Archduke enter the room, choosing a chair to the King's right. Fickett bowed in her direction before seating himself. "Your Highness, may I express again my deepest apologies on behalf of my son."

Shasta glowered at her wizened great-uncle. "You may tell your son I hope he-"

"Shasta!" Soltran interrupted quickly, with a warning in his voice. Shasta sighed and bit back the curse on the tip of her tongue.

She took a deep breath and gave Fickett the sweetest smile she could muster. "You may tell your son that I forgive him his intolerable rudeness with the hope that he will never indulge in such despicable behavior again."

Fickett pressed his lips together as if he was trying to decide how to respond, and finally gave a dignified nod. "We are most grateful for your understanding, Highness."

The provincial viceroys began to fill the room, taking up seats at the long table, and when all twelve had assembled Soltran waved a hand to dismiss the servants from the room. Shasta locked eyes apologetically with her guardian for a brief moment. By law these meetings between the Ithyrian heads of state were completely private. No servants, guests, or bodyguards were allowed to attend, and so Talon had to stand guard outside the door until the conference was over. He never complained, but Shasta knew he dreaded these meeting days and the long, dull hours spent in the castle corridor.

Still, Talon's face betrayed no sign of discontent as he bowed politely to her. The door closed softly behind him, and the King called the meeting to order.

"Having fun?"

Talon looked up from her position by the wall and made a face as Erinda approached. "Do I look like I'm having fun?"

The chambermaid giggled and lightly tapped Talon's nose with an index finger. "If you'd just agree to come back to my quarters with me, I can promise you'd be having more fun than standing around out here."

"Tempting," Talon replied, deliberately letting her lips hover scarcely a fingerbreadth from Erinda's for a few seconds before drawing back with a sigh. "But you know I can't."

Erinda pouted. "I don't understand why the King makes you stand out here for hours. Either he should let you in there to watch over the Princess or he should give you the time off."

Talon shrugged. "I guess he wants me out here to make sure no one gets in there to hurt her. This is the only way in and out, so I stand out here until they're done."

"Pfft. Aren't you bored?"

"Extremely."

"Then I'll keep you company."

Talon shook her head with alarm. "Erinda, no, not out here. Someone might..."

The chambermaid smacked Talon's arm. "Get your mind out from under my skirts, you pervert. I meant I'll keep you company. That's all."

"Oh." Talon felt her cheeks redden, and Erinda burst out laughing.

"You're so cute when you get embarrassed." She sat down against the wall and tugged on Talon's sleeve.

Talon sank down next to Erinda, her long legs nearly spanning the full width of the corridor. Talon looked to either side of them to be sure they were alone. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

Talon fidgeted with the braid on her uniform, feeling somewhat nervous. "When did you first realize that...that..."

"That I like women?" Erinda's smile grew wistful. "It's a long story."

"I have plenty of time."

"Very well." Erinda took a deep breath. "You know I was born here, in the palace. My mother was head maid in charge of the royal family, as was her mother before her. I was quite lonely growing up. My sister was many winters older than I, and there were no other girls my age to play with. When I was six, a new family moved onto the palace grounds. I was so excited to learn they had a little girl, just a winter older than me. Her name was Kadrian."

Erinda paused, and Talon noticed a sudden brightness in the chambermaid's eyes. "Kade quickly became my best friend in the world. We did everything together, our chores, our lessons. But she was the firstborn daughter in her family, so she was being groomed for service in the temple. Ithyrian parents, especially those whose families have served in the palace for generations, have a tradition of dedicating their firstborn sons to the military and their firstborn daughters to the Goddess."

"So I've heard," Talon replied with a wry grin. Lyris and Bria often teased that Talon was their family's sacrifice to the royal guard.

"My older sister was already a priestess by the time Kade and I turned nine. I remember begging my parents to let me take the vows with my best friend so we wouldn't be separated. But one child is all most families can afford to give, even to the Goddess." Talon could hear a touch of bitterness in Erinda's voice. "And I think my parents were worried about how attached we were to each other. They kept saying it wasn't natural."

"Were you...together?" Talon asked curiously.

"Kade was the most beautiful person in the world to me, and the most important. She felt the same about me. But it wasn't until our last days together, the moon before her eighteenth birthday when she was to take her vows, that we realized just how powerful our feelings for one another were."

"You loved her," Talon concluded quietly.

Erinda nodded. "By then it was too late. Kade could have refused the vows, I suppose, if she'd really wanted to. Ithyris doesn't force anyone into Her service. But Kade truly believed she was born to be a priestess, and couldn't turn her back on destiny, not even for me. I wouldn't have wanted her to. If she'd chosen me over her faith, I think she eventually would have come to resent me for it. That was the last thing I wanted." Erinda looked up at Talon. "I don't know why I'm telling you this."

"Did you and Kade ever...?"

Erinda flinched. "Once."

She didn't say anything more, and Talon did not want to press her further. For several long moments they sat in silence.

"Now she's gone," Erinda said sadly. "Serving Ithyria in some temple somewhere. I'm sure she doesn't even remember me." She met Talon's eyes with a wicked twinkle in her own. "Since you came along, though, it's not quite so difficult to bear. We women have to help one another out sometimes, especially when the ones we really want are unattainable."

Talon wasn't sure she liked being included in that last statement. "I don't know what you mean."

"Sure you do." Erinda gave her a knowing grin. "In a way, it must be worse for you. At least I never have to worry about seeing Kade with someone else, but the Princess...she's growing up fast. Pretty soon she's going to have men lined up from here to the coastal provinces hoping for a chance at winning her hand. I don't envy you that."

"It's not like that," Talon denied hotly. "Why should I care who the Princess marries? Shasta's like a sister to me."

"Uh-huh." The chambermaid's tone was skeptical. "I suppose that's why you keep asking me to come to you, especially after you two have had lessons together all day. Or you've gotten into an argument. Or she happens to wear something particularly pretty."