The King rolled his eyes. "Of course she was. Let me guess who came up with that brilliant idea."

Talon did not reply, and Shasta felt bad for him. It had actually been Bria who first mentioned a race, but she didn't want her companion to be blamed, and she knew Talon did not want to get his sister into trouble. "It was my idea, Father," she volunteered brightly.

The King sighed heavily. "Shasta, how many times do I have to tell you? You know your body cannot handle such strenuous exercise, especially not out in the cold air. What would you have done if the healer had not arrived in time?"

"Died, I guess."

This flippancy did not amuse the King. In a frustrated tone, he said, "You say you want to be my successor, that you are capable of ruling when I am gone without the help of your husband, but you keep doing irresponsible, childish things. It makes me doubt very much that you will even live to see your coronation."

Stung, Shasta dropped her eyes. Her father rarely became so upset with her, and she knew in her heart that he was probably right. Her life was tied to so many other people, people she didn't even know who would be affected terribly if something happened to her.

"There's only so much I can do to protect you," the King added, then eyed Talon. "And as for you, Corporal, you've been told repeatedly that the Princess's health is delicate. You should have stopped her."

Talon's face flinched, but he nodded. "Yes, Majesty. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't." King Soltran turned back to his daughter. "And you, young lady, are going to spend the rest of the day in bed, on the healer's orders."

Shasta gaped. "But, Father, I feel fine now."

"You're not moving from that bed," he declared stubbornly and cast a pointed look across the room to Nurse.

With that, he clapped Talon on the shoulder and left the chamber.

"What am I supposed to do all day?" Shasta complained.

"You could try resting," Talon offered dryly, and she glared at him. He put his hands up in a mock gesture of surrender. "Hey, don't blame this on me. I tried to tell you the King wouldn't approve."

"I know. I'm sorry he scolded you. It wasn't your fault." She looked around the room in annoyance. "But really, how am I supposed to pass the time? I'm not sleepy."

"Perhaps you should practice your needlepoint." Nurse brought over a sewing basket and set it on the bed next to Shasta.

"I hate embroidery."

"Sixteen winters old and you haven't yet completed a single sampler worth mentioning. When I was your age, girl, I had embroidered entire tapestries. Several of them." She pulled out the wooden hoop that held an unfinished stitching sampler and clucked her tongue over the uneven, knotty threads scattered carelessly across the surface of the linen. Thrusting it at Shasta, she said, "Here. Perhaps a day in bed will do you good in more ways than one."

"Wonderful," Shasta mumbled as her tormentor bustled from the room. To Talon, she said, "I suppose you're going to study all day since we're stuck here."

"Probably. Captain Vaughn's been working with me on the topography of the Ithyrian provinces."

"Boring." Shasta scrunched her nose in distaste. She looked down at the hoop in her lap and huffed. "There's no way I can spend all day making the same tiny stitches over and over. I'm going to go crazy."

"Maybe I could read to you."

Shasta met his eyes. "Would you?"

"Sure." Talon went to the bookshelf, but before he'd selected a story to read there came a light rap at the door and a nasal masculine voice called, "Princess Shasta?"

"Chancellor Kumire." Shasta feigned a delighted smile as the chancellor entered and waved a bouquet of flowers at her.

"I heard you were ill," he said, oozing concern. "I brought something for you."

"They're lovely," she replied politely.

"Difficult to find this time of winter," Kumire pointed out proudly. "Very expensive to obtain."

Shasta made another polite sound and asked, "Talon, do you think you could-"

"Of course, Princess." Her guardian took the bouquet from Kumire and laid it on a low table.

"I was so very worried when I heard of your...episode...this morning," Kumire took her hand. His fingers were cold and rather clammy. "I cannot express what a relief it is that you are all right."

"Thank you, Chancellor." Shasta cringed as Kumire's lips brushed the back of her hand. Fighting the urge to wipe his unwanted touch away on the bedquilt, she picked up the sampler and began toying with several knots.

Kumire watched her for a few awkward seconds, obviously unwilling to leave. Finally, she looked up. "Was that all, Chancellor?"

"Uh...well..."

Shasta gave a delicate yawn. "Oh, my, I'm just so tired," she said sweetly. "Thank you so much for dropping by, Chancellor, and for the lovely flowers. If you don't mind, I think I'm going to take a bit of a nap and rebuild my strength."

Kumire's face fell, but he nodded reluctantly. "Of course, Your Highness. Sleep well." With a little bow and a disdainful sniff at Talon, he left.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Shasta burst out laughing. "Ugh. He's so boring!"

"He hopes to marry you, you know."

"I'd sooner take the vows of a priestess and never marry at all than be stuck with somebody like him for the rest of my life." Shasta gave a dramatic shudder. There was another knock at the door, and she groaned. "Don't tell me he's back..."

But these visitors were far more welcome. Lyris and Bria pushed a large harp into the room, Lyris announcing, "We thought we might come cheer you up."

Shasta clapped her hands. "You'll play for me?"

"Yes, and Bria's going to sing."

Bria gave a little curtsy. "We'll make you forget all about being stuck inside all day."

"I haven't heard the two of you play together in a long time," Talon said, sounding pleased.

Bria jabbed a finger in her brother's ribs playfully. "Maybe when I'm done singing you should do a few acrobatic routines for her."

Talon made a face. "I don't think so." But he did help Lyris move the harp in front of the Shasta's bed, then drew a chair alongside and sat to listen.

Lyris ran her fingers lightly over the harp strings and tuned a few that were in need of it. She struck a chord, delicate and full, and with a nod to Bria, began to play.

Shasta was familiar with the sisters' musical talents from their lessons together. The court considered instruction in music an important part of a well-bred woman's education. Lyris and Bria were, of course, much more advanced than she was. They had relied upon music for survival from a very young age, so their skills were finely developed while Shasta still struggled with many technicalities. But she enjoyed their lessons. When she sang with them it felt like she had become a part of something beautiful and much larger than herself.

Shasta knew some of the melodies her companions played for her now, and so she sang along when she knew the words. From time to time she glanced over at Talon. She couldn't help noticing the pride glowing in his face as he watched his sisters, and it filled her with the familiar, bittersweet longing that often struck when she spent time with all three siblings together.

It was touching to see how deeply Talon cared for his sisters. Their traumatic childhood had obviously forged a tight bond between them. For a long time, the girls had been Talon's sole reason for living. He was their protector and caretaker, a father figure who had looked out for them since they were children. It always made Shasta a little envious. Even though the three treated her like an addition to their little family, she could not be part of the history they shared.

Recently Shasta found herself wondering more and more about the lives of her guardian and companions before they had come to live at the palace. None of them liked to talk about it. She knew they had been beaten and had not always had enough to eat. Shasta could not imagine being completely at the mercy of another person; the nearest she could come was remembering how it felt to be attacked in her privy chamber. She thought of the man with the bullwhip at the market. Had someone beaten Talon like that? She looked over at her guardian, who appeared so strong and capable in his neat military uniform, and tried to picture him ragged and half starved like the pregnant servant woman had been, suffering beneath a brutal whip. The sweet, mournful sound of Bria's voice uplifted in an aria somehow made this image even more vivid, and Shasta could imagine her guardian's pain when his sisters were mistreated.

Talon must have sensed her eyes on him, because he turned to look at her and his eyes widened. "Your Highness, are you crying?"

"Oh." Shasta sniffled. "The music was so sad, I guess it just made me start thinking of sad things."

Bria drew a handkerchief from her bodice and handed it to Shasta. "We didn't mean to make you cry," she said as Shasta dabbed her eyes.

"No, it was beautiful. Your voice, and the harp, they're just too beautiful for words." Shasta smiled at her young ladies-in-waiting. "Please, will you sing another for me? Perhaps something happy this time."

The hours passed surprisingly quickly, and the handkerchief lay forgotten in her hands as Lyris and Bria exhausted their repertoire. Afterward, they shared lunch with Shasta and they all chatted about the most recent court fashion trends-Shasta despised the extremely pointy-toed shoes that the noblewomen were wearing with increasing regularity-and palace gossip, like the rumor that Countess Valenne of Daiban province was caught up in a scandalous romance with her husband's coachman.

When Nurse interrupted to insist that the Princess's companions attend at least a few lessons that day, Talon made good on his promise, reading from a book of fairy tales for the next few hours while Shasta did her best to concentrate on the embroidery sampler in her lap. It was time for dinner before she even realized the day had passed, and after they'd dined and the servants had cleared the plates, she stretched and grinned at her guardian.

"I can't wait to get out of this bed tomorrow. You and I are going to visit the servants' stables the minute lessons are over. It's been days since our last practice."

Talon shook his head. "I don't think that's a good idea, Princess. Maybe we shouldn't fence together in secret anymore. After what happened today-"

"Today was my fault," Shasta interrupted impatiently. "I got careless. But our fencing practice is different. You always make me stop before I'm even close to having an attack like the one this morning."

"I know, but"-worry lines appeared across his forehead-"the cold weather makes it harder on your breathing. It would only take one mistake. One time that we don't stop soon enough."

She waved a hand dismissively, but he caught it in his own and met her eyes, and suddenly she realized how very serious he was. "You didn't see yourself this morning, before the healer came. You were turning blue, Highness. I really thought..." His voice was unusually rough. "You could have died, right there in my arms. You almost did."

Shasta was startled by the intensity in her guardian's face. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought Talon was close to tears. He cleared his throat and released her hand, moving to the window to remove his sword belt and jacket. With his back to her, he spoke a little more firmly. "I think we should stop fencing together, at least until the weather changes. We'll both get plenty of practice in lessons with the captain, and you'll be in the palace, near the infirmary, in case anything happens."

"Talon?" Shasta waited for him to turn and look at her. "I'm sorry for scaring you today. We won't practice out there anymore. For the next few moons, anyway."

The genuine relief in his dark eyes was worth the sacrifice, though he only replied with a quiet, "Thank you."

Talon truly cares for me, Shasta realized with mild surprise, just like he does for Lyris and Bria. At that moment she knew she wouldn't feel left out of their little circle any longer. She might not be a part of Talon's family, but she still had a bond with him that not even his sisters shared. The Princess found she was quite content with that.

Chapter Nine.

The day of Shasta's seventeenth birthday celebration started off badly, with a heated argument between the Princess and her guardian. It began when Shasta emerged from her privy chamber in the gown she was to wear for the traditional birthday banquet later in the day. The palace seamstress wanted to do a few last-minute alterations before the celebration began.

Talon's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline when he caught sight of her. "What in the name of the Goddess is that?" he demanded, eyeing the daringly low neckline and tight bodice that was designed to push the Princess's feminine assets up into a dazzling display.

Shasta stuck her tongue out at him. "It's the latest court fashion, and now that I've reached seventeen, I'm finally allowed to wear it." She turned slightly so the seamstress could mark a hemline.

"You can't go out in public like that," Talon protested.

"It's my birthday. I'll wear what I want." Shasta studied herself in the mirror. The blue feather necklace fell at just the right place between her breasts, drawing attention to the alluring valley between them, and the gown made her feel very pretty and grown up, far older than her seventeen winters. But Talon seemed unimpressed, glaring darkly at her reflection in the mirror.

"You look like a courtesan," he said.

Shasta stiffened indignantly. "You forget your place, Talon. I'm the Crown Princess of Ithyria. You are my servant. I did not ask for your opinion, and I don't care what you think."

"Well then, as your servant," he replied testily, "I don't want to have to follow you around all night rescuing you from the men who are going to be drooling all over that gown of yours, thinking you're wearing it to tease them. You don't understand how men think, Highness. They'll see you in that and, Princess of Ithyria or not, all decency and honor will be forgotten."

"I'm going to take that as a compliment." She lifted an arm so the seamstress could adjust her sleeve. "I'm a woman now, Talon, and you're just going to have to get used to it."

"There's a difference between looking like a woman and looking like a harlot."

Shasta's mouth dropped open. "How dare you!" she sputtered furiously. "You know what, Talon? I don't even want you at the celebration tonight if you're going to treat me with such disrespect. My birthday is the one day that Father gives you time off. Take it, because I don't want to see your face the rest of the night."

"Highness-"

"Not another word," she spat. "Your free time begins now. Get out."

"Highness, I-"

"Out!" Shasta shrieked, pointing at the door.

For a long, tense moment they stared at one another. Her guardian's eyes narrowed, then he snapped, "Fine," and stalked out, slamming the chamber door heavily behind him.

Shasta gazed at herself in the mirror, biting her lip with rage. Who did he think he was, anyway? He'd called her a harlot. For such an offense she really should have him tossed in the guard prisonhouse for a moon. I don't care what he says, she told herself firmly, admiring her figure in the glass. I feel beautiful.

A few moments later, Captain Vaughn entered the chamber, unable to fully conceal his amusement. After exchanging polite greetings, he said, "Talon says you kicked him out."

Shasta lifted her chin defiantly. "I did."

"Then I guess it will be my duty to defend your honor from all the men who fall in love with you tonight," he quipped, taking Shasta's hand and pressing it to his lips. "Truly, you do look lovely."

"You should tell Talon that," she retorted with frustration.

"I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Vaughn assured her with a smile.

"I don't care what he intended." Shasta yelped as the seamstress tightened something at the back of the gown, making a pin jab. "His opinion means nothing to me."

She didn't want to think about Talon for the rest of the night. She was not going to let him ruin the fun of the celebration for her.

Erinda found Talon sitting on a bench in the royal gardens, whittling away at a small stick with the knife from her belt. It was a sunny day in early spring, and the snow had all but melted away entirely, leaving dark puddles here and there on the stones of the path. A few of the garden blossoms were beginning to open, and a gentle breeze ruffled Talon's dark hair as she chipped away at the stick in her fingers.

"Corporal Talon, I'm surprised to see you here." Erinda sat down next to her, close enough that her thigh pressed into Talon's suggestively. "What's wrong? You look like you just swallowed a mouthful of briars."

Talon hacked a little more aggressively at the stick in her hand. "The Princess has decided she doesn't want my company today, and since the King has already given me the day off there isn't much I can do about it."

Erinda looked surprised. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing," Talon growled.