"But that's not right." Shasta chewed her lip. "Not right at all." No wonder the men she'd confronted were ready to kill each other over a piece of fruit. She took the apple from Talon's hand and set it on the table in front of the general. "It certainly explains why there were two soldiers fighting over this outside my window this morning."

Harneth inclined his head. "My apologies, Highness. I'll see to it that you are not disturbed again."

"That hardly seems the point," Shasta pondered aloud. "These men are risking their lives for me. They deserve better."

Recalling some of the farms they had passed as they made their escape to the temple, Shasta had an idea. "I believe there are orchards around here?"

Harneth seemed surprised, but after a moment's thought replied, "Yes, Princess, I think there's a small orange grove about four leagues to the west."

"Perfect. Do you have a quill and some parchment, please?"

He complied quickly, producing a small writing case from a wooden chest beside one of the low cots in the corner of the tent. Shasta scribbled several lines of script onto a sheet of parchment and sprinkled it with blotting powder. While she was waiting for the ink to dry, she pulled the stick of wax out of the box and requested a candle.

One of the soldiers at the end of the table slid a candlestick over, and every man present watched with fascination as she folded the letter and sealed it with the wax and royal signet.

"General, have someone carry this to the owners of that orchard. I'm going to write more, to every farm and ranch and chicken coop within ten leagues of the Great Temple. If these men are going to dedicate their swords and their lives to my service, I owe it to them to see that they're properly fed." She stood and handed the letter to the general. "And another thing. From now on, have whoever's cooking up this stuff bring a plate of whatever the soldiers are eating to me as well. I refuse to sit in the comforts of the temple eating bread and honey while these men, my men, are out here eating...that." She made another face at the plate of gruel.

General Harneth looked almost flustered, but Shasta did not give him the chance to reply.

As she marched briskly out of the tent, the general glanced toward Talon. "Is she always like that?"

Talon's mouth twitched. "She has her moments."

"The Princess is quite a woman."

Talon could not fail to notice the open admiration in the young general's expression. "Yes." She followed Shasta out of the tent, mumbling under her breath, "She certainly is."

Several days later, a large wagon pulled up in the middle of the camp, amid cheers from the soldiers as they realized what it carried. A line of men formed to help unload the cargo-crate after crate piled high with big golden oranges.

Shasta, having been summoned to witness the literal fruits of her labor, stood on the temple steps, delighted to see the soldiers' excitement.

"I take it you received my letter," she said, when the farmer and his wife approached to make their bow.

"We did, Your Highness, and it's an honor to be able to offer our support and assistance however we can to the crown of Ithyria," the farmer replied.

Shasta descended the steps. "Ithyria is in your debt, sir. Your generosity will be remembered." She held out a hand. "When I have regained my father's throne, you and your family will be granted exemption from kingdom taxes for a period of ten winters."

The man and his wife bowed again to kiss her hand. "May the Goddess bless you, Princess Shasta."

Shasta addressed the soldiers within earshot. "Tonight there will be a celebration. We praise Ithyris for her provision and guidance, and thank our new friends," she indicated the orchard owners, "for their kindness."

The men set up a cheer that dissolved into an enthusiastic chant of Shasta's name, and she waved before retreating back into the temple. A little later, from her window seat, she watched the soldiers finish storing the produce and said with satisfaction, "Isn't that just a beautiful sight?"

Talon looked down at the Princess's glowing face. "Beautiful," she agreed, but she wasn't referring to the excitement outside.

Shasta had always been a pretty girl, but the past moons had added depth and serenity to her beauty. Losing her father had sobered her, somehow. Gone was the frivolous, pampered little girl that Talon had known. Even her health seemed less fragile. She now demonstrated a dignity and grace that she'd never possessed before. Talon could not help finding her completely breathtaking.

She realized she was staring and quickly turned her attention to the scene outside. "It's a great thing you've done for them, Highness."

"It's nothing compared to what they're doing for me."

Talon caught the note of guilt in Shasta's voice and said, "They're not just here to fight for you, Princess. They're fighting for themselves and their families as well. Those men out there believe you were chosen by the Goddess to lead them."

The Princess stared out the window again. "But birthright alone won't make me a good queen, no matter what the legends about my family say." She gave a heavy sigh. "These people-my people-are fighting every day just to survive, while the nobles and politicians grow fat and rich by exploiting them. And here I am, waving my signet around under their noses," she held the ring up almost distastefully, "and demanding that they lay down their lives for me to suit my own selfish purposes. I'm no better than my uncle."

Talon was of the opinion that a dung beetle could rule Ithyria better than Fickett, or Kumire either for that matter, but chose to keep that remark to herself. "You're nothing like the Archduke," she declared firmly, but Shasta did not seem convinced.

"I don't know what these people expect of me, Talon. They're willing to fight and die to put the crown on my head, yet I don't have any idea what I'm supposed to do with it once I get it. What if my father was right? What if women just aren't meant to rule alone?" Talon could see tears beginning to sparkle in the golden eyes. "Oh, if only Daric-"

Talon took Shasta sternly by the shoulders. "I am sure Daric would have been a great king, but he is gone, Princess. You are what Ithyria needs now." She paused, suddenly wondering if she'd said too much. What did she know about politics, anyway? She was just a soldier. She dropped her hands. "I'm sorry, Highness, it really isn't my place."

"No, your opinion is important to me. Tell me what you mean." Shasta touched her arm. "Please?"

That one little word was her undoing. Sighing, Talon sat beside the Princess and waved an arm at the window. Outside, the emptied wagon was just pulling away. Laughter emanated from the encampment as the soldiers celebrated their treat.

"The way I see it, this kingdom is starved for a ruler with both strength and compassion. As you said, someone needs to cleanse the provincial governments of corruption-someone who understands that every person's rights are important, regardless of wealth or title. The people of Ithyria need a ruler who is empathetic, just, passionate, decisive, and most of all, wise enough to understand that a society is only as successful as its weakest members."

"Do you really believe I can be all of that?"

The vulnerable quaver in Shasta's voice made Talon's stomach flip. "You already are," she answered softly.

Her heart began to pound as the Princess reached out to touch her face, and she felt suddenly light-headed when Shasta leaned forward and brushed her lips against her cheek. How had the childish, spoiled girl she'd known become such an extraordinary young woman?

"You have so much faith in me." Shasta's eyes were dark with emotion. "How I hope I can prove worthy of it."

Talon could find no voice to reply.

The soldiers' party was unlike any other party Shasta had attended in her life. She was used to the gaiety of court, a sophisticated, cheerful affair of pleasantries, soft music, and elegant dances. There was nothing sophisticated or elegant about the way the Verdred soldiers celebrated. The music was loud with a pounding beat, and the dancing was a cacophony of stamping feet and clapping hands, punctuated by boisterous leaps into the air and enthusiastic twirls across the hard-packed earth. Yet the fun was undeniably infectious. Shasta noticed even her usually stoic guardian tapping a toe to the music, and she grinned at her.

Talon grinned back, white teeth flashing mischievously. Shasta's breath caught and she quickly averted her eyes. I'm so used to thinking of her as a man. Even now that Shasta knew her guardian's secret, Talon's seemingly effortless confidence made it far too easy to forget that the handsome soldier she'd grown up with was actually a woman in disguise. Talon was still the same strong, thoughtful, and infuriatingly overprotective person Shasta felt like she'd known forever.

It was Shasta herself who was different. She didn't want to be angry with Talon any longer, but she had no idea how to relate to her guardian as a woman. It was simpler just to slip back into the comfortable brother-sister relationship they'd shared for so long. Except that occasionally she'd find herself battling that old infatuation, those powerful surges of attraction that washed over her every time she let herself forget for even a moment that Talon was not what she seemed to be. Her heart ached as though she'd lost something vital, yet that was silly since Talon could never have been hers to begin with.

If only she'd listened to Lyris and Bria. If only she'd accepted Talon's gentle attempts to discourage her affections. Now their friendship would never be the same again, and it was her own fault.

General Harneth approached and held out a hand. "Will you dance, Princess?"

"Oh..." She looked past him at the men whirling and jumping around and shook her head. "I don't know how. I've never danced like that before."

"Then you'll learn something new. I promise you, it's fun." He took her hand and led her out into the dancers, amid hoots and cheers from the soldiers that made Shasta blush. Placing one hand at the small of her back and taking her hand in the other, he said, "Just follow me, Your Highness."

At first Shasta felt like she might topple over, but once she realized that the steps matched the beat of the music and that the general was quite adept at guiding her among the other dancers without any collisions, she began to relax. He was right, it was fun; much freer and more invigorating than the carefully rehearsed, dignified court dances she was familiar with. She gave a little shriek of delight when Harneth lifted her into the air and twirled her around, her feet flying an arm's length from the ground.

The other soldiers began to cut in at intervals. Since Ithyrian priestesses did not dance socially, Shasta and Erinda were the only two women in an ocean of men and never had a shortage of partners to dance with. The men seemed thrilled that Shasta was so small and lightweight, and there were entire musical pieces where her feet didn't touch the ground more than twice.

Erinda, too, seemed to enjoy the lively music and dancing, though Shasta thought that the maid seemed a little distracted, her eyes constantly returning to the shadowy temple behind them.

Shasta caught sight of her guardian standing quietly by one of the tables. In her black trousers and loose black linen shirt she seemed almost like a silhouette of herself. Her eyes never left Shasta; she could feel them following her every move in the crowd of riotous dancers.

Impulsively, Shasta excused herself from her partner and marched over to her guardian. She grabbed one of her hands. "Come along, Talon, you can't just stand here like a statue all night. Dance with me."

With a groan, Talon allowed herself to be dragged away from the table. But just as they reached the other dancers, the music slowed, and one of the soldiers who had been playing the drums stood up and called out over the party.

"Hey, Waltis! Get over here and sing us a little something."

A short man with protruding ears that reminded Shasta of a monkey's was pushed up to the front where the instruments were. Elbowed and pummeled cheerfully by his fellow soldiers, he broke into song. He had a deep, rich voice, and the ballad he chose was well known across Ithyria, so many of the soldiers found seats along the benches or plopped themselves down on the ground to enjoy the soaring baritone.

Only Shasta and Erinda and their dance partners remained standing to sway back and forth to the music. Talon felt a little silly out there in front of all those soldiers, but just as she was about to suggest to the Princess that they join the men on the benches, Shasta wrapped her arms around her and laid her head innocently on Talon's chest. Suddenly Talon was unaware of anything but the feel of Shasta's heartbeat against her, the quick rise and fall of the Princess's breath beneath her hands as she held her. Talon's insides clenched and dipped strangely as though she'd lost her balance, and she abandoned all self-consciousness in an instant. She wouldn't have traded those moments with the Princess in her arms for anything else in the world and was disappointed when General Harneth tapped her on the shoulder to cut in.

She released Shasta to him, and as she resumed her position by the table she berated herself furiously. She had to stop letting herself get so carried away. Nothing had changed. Talon was still a woman, and Shasta was still the Princess she'd sworn to protect and serve. One day Shasta would be Queen of Ithyria, and the last thing Talon wanted was to get in the way.

A lump formed in her throat as she watched the Princess dance with Harneth, her head resting on his chest as it had on Talon's only a few moments ago. He would be good for her, Talon admitted reluctantly. Harneth had proven himself a capable, intelligent leader, the kind of man that people followed and looked up to instinctively. He treated everyone from Princess Shasta to the greenest recruit among the guard with the same level of respect and sensitivity. He was young, handsome, and already well accomplished. If Talon were to choose a man for Shasta, Harneth would be the one. So why did she feel such heaviness in the pit of her stomach as she watched them?

The sound of clapping jolted her from her despondent reverie. The ballad had ended and Waltis was taking his bows. Shasta made her way to Talon as the music picked up again and held out a hand, but Talon shook her head this time.

"I think I'm going to turn in for the night," she said, ignoring Shasta's little mew of protest. "I'm sure you'll be perfectly safe out here. The general will make certain of that. You should stay and enjoy the party." She bowed and kissed the Princess's hand a little too ceremoniously, then turned toward the temple.

"Talon." Shasta trotted after her. "Are you upset with me? Did I do something?"

Talon stopped, and closed her eyes briefly before turning again to face the Princess. "Of course not. I'm just tired."

Shasta scrutinized her anxiously. "All right, then I'm coming in with you. Wait for me just a moment, please?" She didn't give Talon the chance to reply, darting back to the party. After a round of good-natured booing the men laughed and bowed as Shasta took her leave and returned to Talon's side.

"General Harneth is a good man," she declared as they walked to her rooms.

"Yes, he is." The sick weight in Talon's stomach was pressing painfully against her ribs, and she couldn't resist saying, "You like him a lot, don't you?"

"Of course I do." Shasta poked Talon playfully. "Don't tell me you're jealous."

Talon wiggled an eyebrow. "Maybe," she responded, careful to keep her tone light.

"Well, don't worry. You're still the Princess's favorite." Shasta snuggled against Talon's arm. "You're my best friend, you know that?"

Talon couldn't reply, overcome with a sudden maelstrom of conflicting emotions. She just nodded and patted the Princess's hand on her arm before brushing aside the beaded curtain.

Talon awoke suddenly, blinking at the ceiling above her in confusion as she tried to ascertain what it was that had disturbed her sleep. Then she heard it again, a low moan coming from the Princess's bed on the other side of the room. She sat up, alarmed, but there was no sign of an intruder in the room. Was Shasta sick?

She started to rise from her cot, but another noise from the Princess made her sit down again, hard. There could be no mistaking that sound. Shasta was dreaming, and for the first time Talon's keen sense of smell picked out the light, faint scent hanging in the air. Her mouth dropped open with shock. The Princess's dreams were definitely erotic in nature.

As her eyes adjusted to the dark, Talon could make out Shasta's form behind the filmy white curtains that surrounded her bed. She didn't know whether to be amused, or... Another moan and Talon's cheeks flushed hotly. She rubbed her forehead in consternation. Shasta was nineteen now, and it was not unnatural that she would have developed a grown woman's desires and fantasies. But Talon was accustomed to thinking of her as an innocent, as chaste and virginal as any Ithyrian priestess. This very evident proof to the contrary was difficult to contend with.

To make matters worse, every sound that left the Princess's lips incited a powerful pull in Talon that became impossible to deny. The light, heady scent of Shasta's arousal called to her like a siren's song, irresistible and overwhelmingly seductive. Talon drew a ragged breath, clamping down hard on the desire that suddenly coursed through her.

It's not you she's dreaming of, she reminded herself firmly. And then she realized there was only one person it could be. Harneth. She's dreaming of General Harneth. And why wouldn't she? Shasta had said herself that he was a good man. Talon had never seen her express such an interest in anyone else, except, of course, that agonizing infatuation she'd developed for Talon almost a winter before. Strange, so much had happened in the past twelve moons that those days seemed like a lifetime ago.

It was bound to happen one day. Shasta was a such a passionate, loving person by nature, that Talon had always known the Princess would eventually want to be in love, to marry and have children and build a family. She'd never dwelt on the prospect for very long because the idea hurt more than she wanted to admit. Once Shasta had her own family she would no longer have need of her guardian. Talon would probably still serve her in the royal guard, attend her at court, but it would never be the same. Shasta would belong to someone else, and Talon would be relegated to the position of affectionate old friend. The thought broke her heart.

But why can't I let her go? she asked herself fiercely. If I can accept that my sisters have moved on with their lives, why does it seem so much harder to watch the Princess do the same? Lyris was blissfully dedicated to service in the temple, and Bria...well, Bria had made her own choices, and Talon couldn't protect her any longer. Shasta was all Talon had left, the only one who still needed her. That was the most reasonable explanation for Talon's heartache, but as she sat there on the edge of the cot, listening to the Princess's soft sighs, she could no longer deny the overpowering longing that threatened to suffocate her with every breath. I have to stop this.

Talon stood and went to the bed. She drew the gauzy curtains aside and sat gingerly on the edge of the mattress, reaching out to shake Shasta gently. "Princess, wake up. You're dreaming."

Her only intent was to wake her, maybe make it look like she thought Shasta was caught in a nightmare, but the Princess was so deeply asleep that she didn't seem inclined to awaken any time soon. Talon shook her again, a little more firmly this time, and suddenly Shasta's hands were in her hair, winding her fingers through Talon's short dark waves.

Talon gasped as the Princess pulled her head down, and when their lips met she felt a physical jolt as all her carefully built control was shattered by that delicate, electric contact. Desire and tenderness flooded her body before she could quell them, so powerfully that Talon could barely remember to breathe. She thought her heart might explode from trying to contain such intense feeling, and Talon gathered the Princess into her arms, kissing her as though they both might dissolve into thin air if she stopped.

Shasta broke the kiss to nuzzle sleepily at Talon's neck, and for several moments Talon clung to her tightly, inhaling and exhaling as she tried to calm her racing heart. Trapped there, with Shasta fast asleep in her arms, Talon finally realized that she was beyond any hope of ever being able to control her feelings when it came to the Princess. Shasta was dangerously close to her, and with every day that passed Talon was drawn deeper and deeper into a lethal storm of her own creation. She was playing with fire, and she knew it.

Gently, she lowered Shasta's head back onto the pillow, extricating the Princess's arms from her neck. I can't do this, she thought desperately. I can't stay here and watch her fall in love. It's going to drive me mad.

Talon rose and returned to her own cot. She knew what she had to do. Shasta was surrounded by an entire army, and she no longer had need of an ever-present protector. Talon could be of more use to the Princess's cause somewhere else. It wasn't going to be easy, but separation seemed like the best thing for both of them now. There was no other way.

"Princess, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Shasta dropped her spoon back into her unappetizing rice gruel as her guardian took a seat across from her at the table. "Good timing. I don't think I can stomach another bite of this stuff." She pushed the bowl away and propped her chin on her hand. "What did you want to talk about?"

Talon's dark eyes drifted to the table as she traced a knot in the wood with one fingertip. "I want you to send me back to Ardrenn."

"What?" Shasta was stunned.

"We've heard that many of the royal guard are still loyal to you, Highness. They don't believe Kumire's claims that you're dead, but they can't leave Ardrenn because of the restrictions on travel. Kumire is hunting them down." Talon still would not meet Shasta's eyes, but her hand balled into a fist. "You're going to need every bit of help you can get to defeat him, Highness, and the royal guard are the best of the best. You need them."

"What are you suggesting?"

"They know nothing about our plans, but if I spread word of what we're doing, we could organize an offensive from within Ardrenn itself and coordinate with Vaughn's efforts to attack the palace."

Shasta found the thought appalling. "Have you lost your mind? You barely got out of Ardrenn alive last time, and now you want to go back? It's too dangerous."

"You need the royal guard, Highness."

"Then let someone else go. I'll ask Harneth for recommendations."

Talon shook her head. "The royal guard are too elitist. You know that, Princess. I can promise you they're not going to listen to anyone but one of their own. It has to be me. There's no one else."

Shasta exhaled stubbornly. "No. Absolutely not."

"Please." Talon lifted her head and Shasta could read the determination on her face, along with something else-a faint trace of desperation that pricked painfully at Shasta's heart.

"You really want to leave me, don't you?" she accused in disbelief. "Have I become that boring?"

"You don't need me here," came the reply, and Shasta heard an odd catch in Talon's voice. "I can serve you better in Ardrenn than I can here in Verdred. Think about it, Highness. You know it's true."