"I wish I could," came the sincere reply, and Shasta propped herself up on one elbow to gaze into Talon's face.

"I don't ever want this to end. I don't ever want to be away from you again. Promise me, Talon. Promise me you'll stay with me from now on, not because you have to but because you want to."

Talon raised a hand and stroked her hair gently. "I promise, Princess."

"I think you'd better start calling me Shasta."

Talon chuckled, then her dark eyes grew serious again, and she trailed a hand absently down Shasta's bare shoulder and upper arm. "You have all of me, Shasta. My sword, my heart, my body, to do with what you please. For the rest of my life."

Shasta gazed down at her guardian, shook her head incredulously, and lowered her head for another kiss.

For that night at least, all thoughts of war and politics were banished from both women's minds. Nothing mattered but that they were together and they were in love. They would take these few precious hours of darkness to bask in one another's presence, the outside world blissfully forgotten-if only for a short time.

Chapter Twenty-Four.

Talon opened her eyes as the morning sun streamed in through the window, and the soft weight on her chest reminded her of what had passed the night before. She looked down to see Shasta's head resting on her shoulder. One of the Princess's legs was slung across her hips. Talon's heart swelled and she lifted a hand to stroke Shasta's golden brown hair.

It still seemed too incredible to be true. She was lying in bed with the Princess, the same girl she'd watched growing up these past winters, the woman she'd loved so deeply and for so long that she couldn't even pinpoint exactly when those feelings had begun. She'd spent so much time trying to stifle them, trying to pretend she was only fond of Shasta as a sister or friend. Lying to herself, really, because the truth was too dangerous and seemed too impossible.

Shasta's sweet raspberry scent washed over her in waves, and Talon tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply. She didn't know what she'd done to deserve such happiness, but every fiber of her being cried out thanks to the Goddess, to whatever divine power had put this beautiful, perfect woman in her arms.

Shasta must have sensed the change in her breathing, because Talon could feel her awakening slowly. She rubbed a hand in relaxing circles against Shasta's lower back, gradually drawing her into wakefulness. Eventually Shasta moved against her shoulder and lifted her head, trailing long hair across Talon's chest to blink sleepily into her face.

Talon couldn't help a smile. "Good morning."

Shasta seemed to become aware of their naked bodies pressed together beneath the sheet, because she blushed a charming shade of pink and met Talon's eyes shyly. "Good morning."

Talon reached up and unfastened the blue feather necklace she'd worn since she'd left Verdred, holding it between them for a moment before putting it around Shasta's neck. "I think this belongs to you."

One of the Princess's hands fluttered up to cover the familiar feather, and she leaned forward and pressed her lips to Talon's sweetly. Talon knew it was only meant to be a gentle thank-you kiss, but she couldn't get over the silkiness of Shasta's mouth, the intoxicating taste of her. That light contact turned into something much deeper as she slipped inside, touching her tongue to the Princess's in a warm caress, tangling her hands in the satin strands of her hair. Shasta shifted her weight, and Talon became very conscious of the Princess's leg draped across her midsection, her intimate heat pressed firmly against Talon's hip. She felt a fire that she knew all too well beginning to spread through her body, and reluctantly she pulled out of the kiss to gaze into those beautiful amber eyes.

Shasta gave a happy sigh and snuggled against Talon's neck. "I wish we could stay like this forever."

Talon chuckled. "So do I. But we have to get up. There's still so much work to be done, and we're running short on time."

The Princess puffed out her lower lip in a pout. "Aw." She wiggled closer, then lowered her leg so that it slid between Talon's and pressed upward with a wicked glint in her eye. "I bet I could convince you to stay at least a few more minutes."

Talon inhaled sharply, love and desire warring with common sense for several breathless seconds. "Yes, you probably could. But we really shouldn't...oh."

Shasta's lips were a distraction, teasing lightly over Talon's neck, and her hand slid purposefully downward across Talon's abdomen. She forgot what she was going to say. Shasta's touch made her skin tingle until she could scarcely form a coherent thought.

Erinda's voice outside the chamber startled them both as the chambermaid called out more loudly than was necessary. "My lord, the Princess has not yet awakened. If you'll just allow me to fetch her for you..." The outer door opened and closed, and Shasta sat up quickly, hugging the sheet to her chest. Erinda came through the beaded curtain, eyes politely averted to the floor.

"Your Highness, General Harneth has been waiting to speak to you all morning. I told him you were up late and needed your rest, but he insists that it's important."

Shasta sighed. "All right. I'll give him an audience when I've dressed."

"Very good, Princess." As she eyed the pile of clothes on the floor by the bed, a mischievous smile crossed Erinda's face. "Did you sleep well?"

Shasta threw a pillow at her playfully. "Go on, get out of here."

"Yes, Your Highness." The chambermaid gave an exaggerated curtsy and trotted out of the room in a fit of giggles.

Shasta sighed, but her expression was one of laughing exasperation. She was irresistible, and Talon couldn't help but pull her in for a quick kiss.

"Don't worry. We'll have plenty of time later to pick up where we left off." She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and picked up her trousers but gave a little groan when she felt warm lips pressing kisses along her back. "Shasta," she said warningly, but she turned to meet those lips with her own yet again before she stood and pulled the pants up around her waist.

"I suppose I should be clothed when I greet the general," Shasta said with playful reluctance.

"You'd better get dressed before I decide he can wait," Talon said, turning her back to bind herself with the efficiency of many years' practice.

"Or what, you'll ravish me right here and now? I can't say that's much of a deterrent."

Talon pulled on a shirt, then held out her hands to help the Princess from the bed. The sight of her made Talon's breath catch. "Goddess, you're so beautiful," she said and tore her eyes away as Shasta wiggled into a clean shift and undergarments.

Talon had no idea how they managed to finish dressing. She could not resist stealing another kiss after buttoning the back of the Princess's gown. As she retrieved her sword belt from the wall, she cast a critical eye over the Princess and quickly patted herself to make certain her own clothes were properly fastened.

Shasta seemed amused by this last-minute concern for propriety and said, "Too late now, my love. What he sees, he will see."

Talon was still reeling happily at being called my love when Shasta opened the chamber door and greeted the General. She did her best to wipe the silly grin off her face and regain some measure of dignity as Harneth entered the room.

"Your Highness, good morning. I wanted to let you know that the...er...special project that you requested has been completed."

Shasta gave a little nod. "Thank you. Please, come in."

The general offered a startled salute when he caught sight of Talon. "Lieutenant! I thought you were in Ardrenn."

Talon returned the salute. "I had some personal matters to attend to here. However, I did have success in making contact with the rebels among the royal guard."

"Excellent." Harneth struck a fist into his palm. "I received a message from Captain Vaughn this morning. He's succeeded in recruiting the two remaining provinces to our aid. That gives us five provincial guard against Kumire's seven, and word is that the barbarian army has begun to amass outside the southern walls of the palace. They know we're coming."

Shasta held out a hand. "Please, General, have a seat."

He complied, and once Talon and the Princess joined him, he looked around the table gravely. "We're going to have quite a battle ahead of us, I'm afraid."

"So we have the five guard of the southern provinces and a few of the royal guard that Talon's managed to organize within Ardrenn. And the priestesses of Verdred, though I still don't know how much help they can be to us."

Talon was confused. "The priestesses? What do they have to do with it?"

"Lyris says that the Honored Mother received a vision from the Goddess, declaring that the priestesses will fight with us."

The general coughed as though he were trying to hide a laugh. "March into battle with a procession of holy women?"

"I don't think we can stop them, General. Her Grace assures me that the Daughters of Ithyris are capable of fighting. How, I don't know."

"Perhaps I shall ask her," Talon muttered. "The idea seems ridiculous."

"General, do you suppose any of the provinces currently fighting for Kumire might change their allegiance if they are certain I'm alive? I know there are rumors. Perhaps they are supporting him only because they are not certain of the truth."

Harneth shook his head wearily. "There's no way to be sure, Highness. Aster has always been supportive, for the most part, of the royal family. But we cannot count on it. Chancellor Kumire and his father have powerful influence there as well."

Talon clapped Harneth on the shoulder. "So what's the plan of attack, General?"

Harneth tugged a map out of his jacket and unfolded it on the table. "Our five provincial guard will converge at the edge of the southern moors behind the palace, here." He pointed out a spot on the map. "If all goes as planned, everyone should be there within a few days of one another. The barbarian army is gathering here." He drew his finger along the southern wall of the palace. "We don't know yet where Kumire has positioned his other allies, but his primary concern must be to prevent us from breaching the castle grounds. We're going to send the Olsta guard around to the left, like this," he swept an arc across the map, "and the Striniste guard around to the right. If we get very, very lucky, we might just be able to trap the barbarians up against the palace walls."

"Where they'll have no choice but to retreat inside or be killed," Talon noted with satisfaction. "Then we will break through the palace walls to overcome the castle grounds and lay siege to the castle itself. It's a good plan."

Harneth grimaced. "Of course, it would be easier if Kumire would lead his troops himself. Then we could just pick him off and put an end to his claim to the throne."

"He'll never show his face in battle," Shasta said scornfully. "He's too much of a coward. To retake the palace we're going to have to go in there and drag him out."

Talon nodded. "And on that note, I have some good news. Breaching the castle grounds may not be as difficult as we'd thought. The rebels in Ardrenn have a plan." She leaned over the map. "The palace walls are connected to the main city walls here and here. Once the battle begins, Kumire's royal guard will be called as the last line of defense, atop the palace walls. Most of the rebels still have their uniforms, and those who don't shouldn't have too much trouble acquiring one from their former comrades. With the attention on the battle, the rebels plan on taking the city watchtowers first." She pointed out the towers, which were drawn as small circles on the map.

"From there they can infiltrate the palace walls by way of the city walls. In all the excitement, no one will notice the additional men. When our forces draw close enough to force the barbarians back inside, the rebels will drop scaling ropes and provide cover for us to get over the walls."

"What about the gates?" Harneth asked.

"The rebels will try to get them open from the inside, but we can't count on it. We'll need a battering ram."

"They'll be putting themselves in great danger," Harneth said. "But if it works, it could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Especially considering how badly we'll be outnumbered."

Shasta reached beneath the table to lay a hand on her guardian's thigh. She was not quite sure that she fully understood the plan, but so long as Talon was with her, she felt certain that everything was going to turn out all right in the end.

The march to Ardrenn took far longer than had their frantic escape to the Great Temple. Most of the men were on foot, and with nearly a thousand soldiers their pace was much slower. By the time they had reached the edge of Warin Forest, the provincial guards of Daiban, Olsta, and Striniste were already there. Shasta had never seen so many people in one place in all her life, and from a distance it looked like a strange rainbow spanning the moors as far as the eye could see: the yellow uniforms of Olsta to the west, and next to them the blue of Daiban. Verdred was in the center, in green.

When Captain Vaughn arrived with Marinland the following day, their orange jackets and flags took the spot next to Verdred, and Striniste to the east wore white. Shasta was overwhelmed that so many people had come out to support her, to fight in her name.

Captain Vaughn looked very tired but extremely satisfied with the turnout. Shasta promised herself that as soon as this was over she would be giving the captain a promotion and some well-deserved leave. Assuming victory was theirs, of course. If not... Shasta did not want to dwell on that possibility.

Vaughn wasted no time in issuing the battle plan among the various troops, and Shasta rode alongside him to visit with each one. She met with each of the generals and showed them the royal signet to confirm her identity, and greeted as many of the men as she could before moving on. It took three days to assemble the combined forces, and they planned to strike the next morning, hoping Kumire had not yet gathered his entire army.

As the time for the battle approached, Shasta noticed that Talon grew increasingly tense. She knew Talon must be worried about Lyris, riding out to fight alongside trained soldiers when she had never lifted a sword in her life. But there was more in balance than one life, no matter how precious, and Talon's troubled black eyes made it clear she had a great deal on her mind.

When night fell and they were finally alone in the royal tent, Shasta took one of Talon's hands and led her to the pile of cushions that served as their bed. She tugged her guardian down beside her and laid her head on Talon's chest.

"What is it?" she asked. "Something's bothering you."

Talon planted a kiss on the top of her head. "It's nothing."

Shasta looked up at her. "That's a lie. You've been edgy for days and you keep smelling the air and making a face. Like this." She scrunched her nose, drew her eyebrows together, and squinted her eyes. It was an exaggeration, of course, but it made Talon laugh.

"If I look that frightful, then no wonder you're worried."

"I mean it. I know something's wrong. Tell me." Shasta searched her lover's face. "Please?"

Talon's eyes clouded. "It's a long story."

"We have all night," Shasta pointed out. "Though I can think of a few other things I'd like to fit in before dawn." She gave a wicked grin and let her hand drift across Talon's chest, softly caressing her beneath the binding. Talon ducked in for a kiss, but Shasta backed away. "Uh-uh. Not until you tell me what's going on."

"Such a tease." Talon gave an exasperated roll of her eyes. "All right." She settled back into the cushions and sighed. "Remember those barbarians who attacked us in your father's study that night? They had a...unique odor."

Shasta grimaced. "Unique odor? They reeked."

"Their stink seemed familiar to me. At first I couldn't remember where I'd smelled it before, but when we were back in your room and Kumire was..."

Shasta felt her guardian's heartbeat quicken with the memory, and she gave her an encouraging hug.

Talon took a shuddering breath and continued, "When I saw him attacking you, I remembered. I was very young, about nine winters old, when my village in the Outlands was attacked. These strange, enormous men came charging through with huge weapons, burning the longhouses and raiding the food stores. My father went out to fight them, but he never came back, and my mother and sisters and I were left in our hut, hiding. My mother knew it was only a matter of time before they found us. And she knew what they would do to me, to my sisters, if they caught us. So she asked me to bring her a knife, and she put it to my throat."

Shasta stared at Talon with horror. "She was going to kill her own children?"

"To save us, yes. Only I didn't understand it at the time. It wasn't until winters later that I realized what she'd intended. She kept crying and saying she was sorry, but in the end she just couldn't do it. Instead, she used the knife to cut my hair. She told me I had to pretend to be a boy so I could protect Lyris and Bria. I didn't understand what she meant."

Shasta could picture the terrible scene just as Talon painted it, a mother driven to desperation, preparing to kill her daughters to spare them from a fate far worse than death. It certainly explained where Talon had picked up those maddeningly self-sacrificial tendencies. No wonder she had kept her gender hidden for so long. Shasta touched her lover's hand tenderly, wishing she could spare Talon the pain of these memories. This was probably the first time Talon had ever shared this story with anyone outside her own family, she realized, and that trust meant everything to her.

"Then they came. I grabbed my sisters and we hid in the pantry, but there was no place for my mother to run. She tried to fight them off but they just laughed at her. I remember their faces, their voices, everything. And then..." Talon's dark features contracted in anguish. "They raped her. All three of them, one after the other, they threw her over the table and they raped her. And when they were done, one of them stuck his knife into her belly."

Shasta's eyes spilled over as she pictured Talon as a frightened child, hiding, trying to protect her little sisters while her mother was being violated and murdered in front of their eyes. No wonder none of them had ever wanted to talk about it.

"And then I understood what she'd meant. Why she wanted me to pretend I was a boy. I could never allow any man to do to my sisters what those men had done to her."

"And afterward...they found you?" Shasta whispered.

"Yes. Three young, healthy Outlander children were worth more to them alive than dead. It was a great stroke of luck that they sold us to the performing troupe. We stayed together, and we managed to survive. By some miracle, no one ever found out that I wasn't a boy. Until the day I came to the palace..."

"...and saved my life," Shasta finished for her, softly. "Oh, Talon, I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry."

"They say scent is our strongest connection to memory," Talon said with pensive sorrow. "And Outlanders have unusually keen senses. Scent was what I remembered when I saw Kumire bending over you." Talon gritted her teeth. "The barbarians with him that day weren't the same men who raped my mother, but they were from the same tribe. There's no question in my mind about that. Because of them, my entire world was destroyed. My sisters and I were sold like cattle to be beaten, starved, treated like objects that could be broken or replaced."

Shasta could not even imagine how terrible that must have been, and she was helplessly frustrated. What possible consolation could she offer to the woman she loved, who had suffered so much?

Tears spilled down Talon's cheeks. "I've had revenge in my heart all my life, Shasta. It's what drove me to study hard, to learn everything I could from Captain Vaughn. But that night in your room, with Kumire, I couldn't move. I felt as helpless as I did when I was nine winters old. Because of me you were almost..." More tears fell, and she couldn't finish.

Shasta's heart ached as she realized how long Talon must have been carrying this heavy burden of guilt. "Shh, my love, it's all right." She wrapped her arms around Talon and lay back against the cushions. Talon wept silently, her shoulders heaving with soundless cries that were somehow more heartbreaking than any audible sobbing could have been. Shasta was in tears herself at the sight of Talon in such pain. She wound her fingers through the thick dark hair and rocked back and forth. "I'm here, it's okay. Just hold on to me."

After a minute Talon seemed to regain some control. She straightened and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "I'm scared, Shasta," she confessed shakily. "I'm terrified that I'm going to go out there tomorrow and it's going to happen again. I'll freeze up, I'll put someone I care about in danger. I could never forgive myself."

"That's not going to happen." Shasta took a handkerchief from her sleeve to tenderly wipe her guardian's face. "It took you by surprise the first time, that's all. It would have been too much for anyone to handle in your place. I probably would have fainted dead away." She ran a hand along Talon's cheek. "But it turned out all right, didn't it? I'm safe, you're safe, and no matter what happens, we're together. Tomorrow we're going to go out there and make those barbarians wish they'd never set foot in the Outlands. Or the palace. Or anywhere else in Ithyria, for that matter."

Talon gave an astonished laugh. "Goddess, Shasta, I love you."