"I'm going to miss her." Shasta sighed, rolling back onto her pillow. "You think we'll even get to see her once she goes into the temple? I mean, other than for morning prayers?"

"Probably not. Once she takes her vows she won't belong to us anymore. She'll be a vessel of the Goddess." Talon's voice caught and she stopped talking.

"You're going to miss her, too, aren't you?"

It took Talon a moment before she was able to still her swirling emotions enough to reply. "I've never known a time when the three of us weren't together."

"I know you won't see her much once she's living in the Temple, but at least you'll know she's alive and happy, right?"

With a pang of guilt, Talon realized Shasta must be thinking of her dead twin. She propped herself up on one elbow. "That's true."

"Since Daric was killed, you've been almost like a brother to me." Shasta reached out and touched Talon's cheek. "I know I'm nothing like Lyris, but if you ever need someone to sort of help take her place..."

The Princess's cool touch on her skin made Talon inhale sharply. She raised a hand and held Shasta's fingers to her face for a moment and turned her face to press a kiss into the soft palm. But that was as much as she could allow, more than she should have permitted to begin with, and she forced herself to release Shasta's hand and back away slightly to break the contact.

"Thank you, Princess." She lay back down on the floor, out of Shasta's reach. "We should sleep. It's going to be a long trip back to the palace tomorrow morning."

Shasta grinned at her and disappeared back onto her own pillows. For a long time Talon lay staring uncomfortably at the ceiling, listening as Shasta's breathing slowly deepened into the even rhythm of sleep. She was glad this was their last night away from the palace. As much as she wanted to deny it, Erinda was right. Too much time alone with the Princess wasn't good for her. It aroused desires that were as impossible as they were inappropriate, and Talon found herself looking forward to the embrace of the little chambermaid more than she liked to admit.

With the winter holiday at an end, lessons resumed within a quarter-moon of their return to the palace. Even Talon found it difficult to concentrate on her first day back in the lesson hall. After spending the better part of an hour staring blankly at the pages of a particularly unexciting volume of military history, Talon sighed and looked across the hall to where the Princess sat with her companions. Kumire was hovering over them with his customary simpering attention, and as usual Shasta was ignoring him to the best of her ability.

"Captain," she said to her mentor, who was trying in vain to redirect her attention to the book, "I've been thinking."

Vaughn followed her eyes with his own. "Well, thinking is a useful exercise, even for a soldier."

Talon smirked. She'd grown accustomed to her mentor's odd sense of humor. "I realized this morning," she continued patiently, "that it's been over a full winter since the last attempt on Princess Shasta's life." When he didn't seem impressed, she said, "Doesn't that seem strange to you?"

"I'm not sure what you mean by that, young man. Are you saying life has gotten dull around here?"

"Of course not," Talon protested, though she knew he was teasing. "It's just that within the first winter I came here she was attacked twice. Then nothing. If someone was still so determined to kill the Princess after the first failure, why would he stop after the second?"

"Maybe you scared him away," Vaughn suggested.

"I doubt it."

The captain shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps General Anjen was right and there really was only one assassin after all-and you killed him."

"I don't think so." Talon was still convinced the black-cloaked assassin who had killed Prince Daric and the man she'd killed in Shasta's privy were two different people. "But even if it was the same man, we still don't know who was paying him. Someone obviously went to great trouble and expense to eliminate the Princess, not once, but twice in the same winter." She frowned, troubled. "A person like that doesn't just give up."

"You think he's waiting for something," Vaughn concluded.

"Yes, but I can't imagine what, and it seems like the General has abandoned the investigation." Talon thumped her palm against the table with irritation. "I know we never had much information to begin with, but we have to keep trying. Whoever it is, he's going to come back, and when he does-"

The captain laid a hand on her shoulder. "If the bastard shows his face again," he interrupted calmly, "you and I will be ready for him."

Talon gave a little nod, her eyes still on the three young women at the end of the hall. "I hope you're right."

Lyris's birthday was the first time Talon had ever witnessed an Ithyrian pledge ceremony. It was the Twelfthmoon, the last days of winter, and most of the snow had melted from the ground, replaced instead by sporadic bursts of rain that turned the earth into mud beneath their feet. The sky was pouring down the afternoon that they assembled in the temple sanctuary, at the feet of the marble statue of the Goddess.

An Ithyrian priestess was required to first pledge her intentions to Ithyris for a full winter before she was allowed to take her vows. This pledge time was intended to allow the girl a final opportunity to decide whether life as a priestess was truly what she wanted. The Pledged were expected to conduct themselves as priestesses-in-training, investing great amounts of time in meditation, prayer, and study of the Ithyrian manuscripts. As one of the Pledged, Lyris could still live in the palace and attend the Princess, but she would also be preparing, under the watchful eye of the temple priestesses, to eventually take vows herself.

One of the most distinctive features of a priestess was her shaved head and veils. Though the Pledged were not yet allowed to don a priestess's veils, their hair was cut short during the ceremony to demonstrate a fledgling commitment to the Goddess. Talon watched in fascination as the high priestess walked behind Lyris, pulling out the golden pin that held the girl's hip-length hair in a knot at the base of her head. The shining dark tresses fell down Lyris's back, and the priestess produced a small dagger from beneath her full white sleeve, holding it up to the Goddess's statue and chanting.

Talon didn't understand the language of Ithyris, a musical, tinkling speech that made up temple hymns and prayers. She recognized a few words here and there. Ostryn, for example, meant "daughter" and was used by the priestesses to refer to one another. It was repeated often in the ceremony for the Pledged. The only bits of Ithyrian tongue she knew by heart were the general blessing and morning salutation that all citizens recited daily.

According to Lyris, the Goddess's tongue had been the first language ever spoken by man. Today it was obsolete, replaced by the more guttural languages of Ithyria and its surrounding kingdoms. Only priestesses and scholars ever used the original tongue now.

Lyris joined in the high priestess's chant as the knife came down in several quick flashes. Almost faster than Talon could blink, the floor beneath Ithyris's monument was covered in shorn piles of hair. Lyris's face was now neatly framed by a sharp, straight line level with her chin. Her eyes were closed, her lips moving in earnest prayer, and when the high priestess was finished Lyris opened her eyes and picked up a strand of hair from the floor. She held it up toward the statue and said a few Ithyrian words that Talon assumed had some ceremonial importance.

The high priestess then addressed the small audience in the language they all understood. "The newly Pledged will now drink from the cup of purification for the first time." One of the smaller priestesses stepped forward with a tray bearing an ornately engraved silver goblet, which the high priestess lifted for all to see. "For those of you who are unschooled in the ways of the Goddess, the cup of purification allows one who drinks from it to come into contact with Ithyris's power. The first drink is always accompanied by a vision. Do not be alarmed, as these visions are often powerful and can evoke great emotional response."

Talon took a deep breath. Lyris had warned her of this. Ithyrian priestesses were the only ones allowed to drink from a cup blessed by the Goddess in order to more fully experience Her presence and hear Her voice. Talon secretly figured it had to be some sort of potent wine or drug in the cup that induced hallucinations and other such seemingly mystical experiences. Still, Lyris had seemed very excited about it, and so she watched curiously as her sister took the cup from the high priestess and drank.

To Talon's shock, the silver goblet fell from Lyris's hands and hit the stone floor with a metallic crash, spilling its contents. Talon tensed as her sister's head was suddenly thrown back, her arms out to the sides, and instinctively her hand went to the hilt of her sword. But the high priestess held up her hands to soothe the startled onlookers. Apparently this phenomenon was expected. Talon kept her fingers on her sword, however. The smooth, solid feel of the hilt in her hand was oddly comforting, though it was doubtful that the weapon would be of any use in defending Lyris from whatever it was that had come over her.

Lyris's body convulsed involuntarily, her blank gaze fastened on the ceiling murals of the temple and her arms outstretched. The Ithyrian priestesses began to sing a hymn together, and the high priestess picked the goblet up from the floor, replacing it onto the tray so it could be carried away. She pulled a small bottle of oil from her belt and used her forefinger to anoint first the feet of the statue, then Lyris's forehead.

Talon saw a tear trickle down her sister's face and ground her teeth. Irrational as it was, she wanted nothing more at that moment than to snatch Lyris up and run with her out of the temple, away from these crazy women and their veils and oils and holy cups of radiant whatever-it-was. Only Shasta's soft touch on her arm prevented her from acting on that impulse, and stubbornly she reminded herself that this was what Lyris wanted and she wasn't in any real danger.

After several tense minutes, Lyris gave one final gasping jerk and collapsed onto the floor. One of the veiled women brought a stool, and the high priestess helped the girl to sit as she recovered from the intense experience. The high priestess used a gossamer scarf to dab at Lyris's forehead. "What did you see, Child?"

"I..." Lyris's gaze flew to Talon, and Talon's lips parted at the look of awe on her sister's face. "I saw Ithyris."

"The Goddess herself?" The high priestess's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. She...she was beautiful. Her eyes glowed with light, and Her voice sounded like She was singing."

The high priestess nodded slowly. "Those who drink from the cup of purification are unable to lie. If you say you saw Ithyris..." She shook her head, her long golden earrings jingling. "Child, you are truly chosen by the Goddess. Very few of us have ever seen her directly in a vision. I myself have only seen Her twice, and never have I heard of Ithyris appearing to a Pledged in her first vision." She gazed at Lyris with an expression akin to reverence. "Did she speak to you?"

Still staring uncertainly at Talon, Lyris said, "Yes."

"What did she say?"

Lyris gulped. "I'd rather not talk about it, Your Grace. Please...I can't."

The high priestess regarded her for a moment before acquiescing. "The Goddess's words may have been for your ears alone, Child. Whatever She told you, you must take it to heart, and ponder it carefully. She would not have appeared to you this day if it were not important."

Talon watched her sister with concern. Something had happened that Lyris didn't want to talk about, and if Talon wasn't mistaken, it had to do with her. Why else would Lyris have looked at her with such uncharacteristic fright in her eyes?

The rest of the ceremony passed in a bit of a blur. Lyris read from a scroll and chanted several prayers, then two of the priestesses helped to raise the hood on her white cloak, effectively hiding her face. When it was over, everyone rushed forward to congratulate the newest member of the Pledged. Lyris seemed distracted, though she smiled at the well-wishers and accepted the embraces of the priestesses with respectful curtsies.

When they stepped out of the temple to return to the palace, Shasta and Bria both opened their parasols and scurried across the muddy ground as quickly as possible, wanting to get out of the rain. Talon took the opportunity to fall behind them with Lyris. She opened her sister's parasol and held it over both their heads. "Walk with me?" she asked.

"Yes, please." Lyris still seemed afraid and clung to Talon's waist as they picked their way across the soggy lot.

"Tell me," Talon said, pausing as Lyris hopped over a puddle and gathered the hem of her white cloak over one arm to prevent getting it dirty.

"Tell you what?" Lyris asked, though Talon was sure her sister knew perfectly well what she meant.

"Something happened in there. Something's scared you."

"I just...the Goddess, she..." Lyris looked up into Talon's face. "Talon, you wouldn't ever betray King Soltran, would you?"

Talon's eyes widened. "What?" She stopped moving and stood for a moment as the sound of the rain hitting the canvas of the parasol pattered above them.

Lyris cleared her throat awkwardly. "And you're not...um...you're not pregnant, right?"

Talon choked back a laugh. "Lyris, what are you talking about? What did she say to you?"

"You're going to think I'm crazy." She began walking again, slowly, and Talon matched her pace. "Ithyris's words were vague. I couldn't make sense of much of it. But one thing I did understand clearly. The Goddess told me that one day your child will rule Ithyria."

Talon gave a snort. "My child? Lyris, I can assure you I am not pregnant, and I'm not planning on having children. That sort of requires...well, it requires factors that are very unlikely in my situation."

"I know." Lyris squeezed Talon's arm gently. "But I also know what Ithyris said. Your offspring will take the throne one day. I don't see how it's possible, unless you..."

Now Talon understood the reason for her sister's fear, and she stopped them again. "I am not a traitor, Lyris."

The younger girl sighed. "Of course you're not. I can't even imagine you doing such a thing. But how else...?"

"It was just a vision. It might not mean anything. And this is the Goddess we're talking about. She's notorious for speaking in riddles and confounding us poor mortals with her mysteries and so on. For all we know, 'Talon's child will take the throne' might have meant that I'm going to eat pork the next time the wind blows."

Lyris giggled and smacked Talon lightly on the shoulder. "You are such a heretic." But she sobered quickly. "You don't have to believe it, Talon. But I'm certain of what I heard. Just...promise me you'll be careful."

"Have you ever met anyone more careful than me?"

"Well, I don't know. While we've been standing here talking you've almost let the Princess out of sight."

Talon glanced up to see that Lyris was right. Shasta and Bria had nearly disappeared into the palace gardens. Automatically, she and Lyris quickened their pace to catch up.

My child, on the throne. The very idea was so preposterous Talon wanted to laugh. She couldn't imagine herself giving birth to a child, much less participating in the act that would create one to begin with. And despite Lyris's fears, Talon would never dream of turning against the King, or against the Princess. Besides, Talon had no political ambition. She didn't want the throne. All she wanted was for her sisters to live safe, happy lives. With Lyris on her way to becoming a priestess, all that remained was for Bria to marry well and settle down with a family. When Shasta also eventually married, Talon would be left truly free at last.

And then what? The future wasn't something Talon liked to dwell on often. She didn't know what she was going to do once the Princess no longer had need of her. She supposed she could continue her service in the royal guard. Talon had too much of the soldier in her to be happy with any other way of life. But without her sisters and the Princess to protect, what would she really have to live for?

She pushed those depressing thoughts to the back of her mind. The point was, though she might not know exactly what her future plans were, they definitely did not include having children, overthrowing the King, or laying claim to the throne. Of that much, at least, she was certain.

Chapter Twelve.

"You're really not coming?" Shasta stared at her guardian in surprise.

Talon shifted his weight, suddenly appearing somewhat self-conscious. "King Soltran does give me this one night every Firstmoon. I thought I would go ahead and take it. Unless it's not all right with you?"

"Well...no...I mean, of course, it's all right. It's just that this is the first time you've actually volunteered to take the time off."

Talon's eyes slid over to where Erinda was clearing away the remainder of the afternoon's luncheon. "Yes, well, I have plans."

"You have plans? Since when do you have plans? What are they, anyway? Are you going to sit up here all night sharpening your sword into a toothpick?"

"I could if I wanted to," he retorted, but there was amusement in his tone. "Are you sure you'll be all right with the captain?"

"After what happened last winter, I'm not letting Captain Vaughn out of my sight," Shasta asserted.

Talon grinned. "Better stay away from the wine, too."

She gave him a little kick in the shins. "Oh, shut up." But her scowl quickly melted into a grin that matched his. "I'll be just fine. Really. It's about time you loosened up a little and had some fun."

Erinda made a funny noise from the sitting room, and Shasta glanced at her. "Erinda, are you ill?"

The chambermaid coughed into a handkerchief. "No, Your Highness. Just a touch of a cold." She looked over at Talon and coughed again, her cheeks pink.

Shasta moved to feel the chambermaid's forehead with one hand. "Your face is all flushed! Perhaps you ought to take the evening off as well. I don't want you to get sick." This seemed to set her off again, and she coughed violently into her handkerchief. Shasta patted her on the shoulder. "I want you to take it easy tonight." She turned back to her guardian, noticing for the first time that his cheeks were also rather red. "Talon, you're not looking so well, either. Maybe you and Erinda should both take some time to rest and relax a little tonight."

This seemed to be too much for the chambermaid, who gripped the tray in her hands and ran from the room, coughing all the way. Shasta frowned as the door closed. "I hope she's all right."

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Talon replied.

His voice sounded oddly tight, and Shasta peered at him closely. "Well, whatever it is, I hope you don't catch it. If you get sick I'll be stuck in my rooms until you get better."

Before Talon could respond, a knock heralded Captain Vaughn's arrival. He crossed the room and presented Shasta with a bouquet of roses from the royal gardens, wishing her a happy birthday.

Shasta took the flowers and inhaled deeply of their sweet scent. She had barely managed to thank the captain when Talon asked to take his leave.

She laid the roses down on the table, intrigued by her guardian's apparent impatience. "Can't wait to get away from me, huh?"

"Something like that."

She narrowed her eyes at him in a mock glare. "Well then, by all means, go."

He gave her a sweeping bow. "Have fun at your party, Princess. And happy birthday." At the door, he turned and said, "Captain Vaughn, keep an eye on her. Don't let her drink too much wine, and if you see Chancellor Kumire come within a stone's throw of her, break his arms for me."

"You can count on it, my boy." The captain cracked his knuckles for emphasis and all three of them laughed.

When Talon was gone, Shasta asked, "Do you know what he's up to tonight, Captain?"

"He wouldn't tell me. Just said he had plans and that they're a secret."

"A secret. Ha." Shasta turned to admire herself in the mirror. She had chosen another low-cut gown this winter, though she'd asked the dressmaker to raise the neckline a little. As much as she'd enjoyed the attention on her last birthday, she had learned that not all such attention was desirable. She straightened the lace at her shoulders. "Talon couldn't keep a secret from me if his life depended on it. We practically spend every minute of the day together."

Vaughn bowed politely. "I'm sure you're right, Princess."