"Ah, now I'm sure there's plenty or you wouldn't be clamming up like that. Besides, I knew there was something between you just from looking-which is why I let him approach." Andi smiled with genuine affection, but sadness in her eyes. "I hate that Uorsin hurt you. And I'm going to be very angry if I discover this wasn't the first time and you hid it from us."

"Never mind that. Is Ami all right?"

She pushed her hair back off her shoulders, allowing the topic change and settling into the business at hand. "She's alive and so is Astar."

Cold dread sank my stomach, then crept back up my spine. "Danu," I whispered. "What are you not telling me-what of Stella?"

"I'm telling this badly. Let me summarize. I think you know part of it. A rebellious contingent here stole Stella and her nurse, attempting to bring them over the border to Annfwn. Of course, I knew the moment they met the barrier, though feeling Stella took me by surprise."

"Of course," I murmured, and she flashed me an owlish look, acknowledging we both felt the chagrin at her much changed status.

"The nurse couldn't cross, having no Tala blood. Even I can't adjust for that, prepared or not. The Heart has its own agenda in that way. Don't give me that look, or I won't tell you the rest. The group left her at the border and brought Stella with them. Though I caught up fairly quickly, I couldn't see where they went. More than one of the group is wise to my abilities. Later Amelia came through, along with Ash and Astar."

"How could you know all these things without being present?"

She tilted her head slightly, reminding me of Harlan when he considered how to translate a concept. "You know how it feels when someone touches your skin? With most people, it's kind of a nonevent-you notice it, but it registers as nothing more than that. But with people connected to you, ones who are part of you in some way, it goes deeper, like it crosses an internal boundary as well. Do you understand what I mean?"

"On one level, yes." I wouldn't think of the way Harlan's slightest touch seemed to go right through me. Andi meant people with true connections. By blood or love. Not lust.

"It's like that. Anyone who comes close to the barrier brushes against my awareness now. Like an itch, a bug that should be shaken away."

"Like you did with me in Branli."

She smiled, close lipped and enigmatic. "I couldn't say. Had my sister Ursula been interested in crossing, I would have paid more attention than I did to a troop of soldiers on one of Uorsin's missions."

She hadn't called him father or king, a choice I made sure to note carefully. "And what did you imagine King Uorsin's mission to be?"

The smile fell away and she visibly hardened. "Let's not mince words between us, Ursula. We both know Uorsin lusts for Annfwn with an unholy hunger. Our mother sacrificed her life to stop him from having it. I could hardly do less."

"She lost her life to complications from childbirth."

"Lady Zevondeth implied differently."

"Yes, but she's never come out and said what happened, has she?"

"Did you ask? You came from Ordnung, I presume. Did she offer you a trade, some of your blood for information, perhaps?"

I shuffled the puzzle pieces in my head. "No. She was . . . unwell. But you gave her blood, didn't you? I'm guessing Ami did, too-she hinted as much."

"Ami has come a long way in understanding the power our blood carries."

"Yours and Ami's."

Andi tilted her head at me. "You are also part Tala, sister of mine."

"I am my father's daughter. A warrior. I have no magic." In that way, you are the most my daughter.

"You mean you don't believe in the magic you have. Else you'd see through the barrier as easily as you saw the memorial."

I laughed. I couldn't help it. "Tell me another tale. And you're dodging. Give me the rest. How bad is it?"

Sobering, she shrugged, a bit restless. "There's not much more to tell. I know they crossed-both groups-and we haven't had any success finding them since. They're all in Annfwn still and all still alive; I know that much."

"Did you interrogate the nurse?"

"I had an escort take her home."

"Danu! She might have been in collusion with them. How could you let her go?"

"She told us what she knew, which was scarcely more than we already did. They grabbed her to care for Stella and abandoned her in the Wild Lands without a qualm. We owed her better than that."

Andi was likely right, but still it grated. I'd hoped to find Ami and babies safe and sound. Hearing they were all still at risk knifed at me. I should have stayed with her and never gone to Ordnung. So many bad decisions. But. You. Failed. My father's voice redoubled the throbbing at my temples.

Focus. "How have you gone about searching?"

"We're not idiots, Ursula. You needn't make it sound like we're bumbling about. Annfwn is a large and varied territory-ocean, cliffs, forests, and mountains-we're looking systematically, but we haven't succeeded in triangulating on any of them."

"You need me. I'll find them." Make up for my failures.

Andi nodded. "Good. I could use your help. We'd welcome it."

"Does King Rayfe feel the same?" I'd phrased the question neutrally, but Andi narrowed her gaze in warning.

"I do feel the same." Rayfe stepped up to her side, appearing as if from nowhere, gaze going immediately to the movement of my hand to my sword, putting a hand to his own. A tall, dark-haired man with keen warrior's eyes, he moved like a wolf, fast, silent, and potentially lethal.

"I thought we spoke privately." I glared at Andi.

She folded her hands calmly, unapologetic. "I never promised any such thing. You assumed. I have no secrets from Rayfe." The look she gave him then sent that odd twist through my gut. Full of love. I'd known she loved him-had told Ami as much-but it still threw me. How much of what she'd done had been to spare civil war and how much out of desire for this man?

"Forgive me the subterfuge, Your Highness." He bowed but didn't move his hand off the hilt of his blade. "We were uncertain of your motives and it seemed best for me to stand back for the moment." His tone made it clear he, at least, still harbored suspicions.

"King Rayfe." I tilted my head with the polite respect I'd give any of the subordinate kings, no more. He noted the shading, dark blue eyes glittering.

"Do you have need of me, Your Highness?" Harlan stepped up to my side, hand on his blade also. He and Rayfe took each other's measure, tension thickening.

I was saved the indiscreet moment of having to say I'd told him to stay back by Andi's exasperated oath.

"Moranu take you all," she huffed. "I will not have a repeat of our last confrontation. Nobody else dies here and I'll take steps to prevent it. Do you all understand me?"

She seemed to have grown in height, though I knew it to be a trick of the eye. Still, her presumption got under my skin. Salt in the wound of my guilt. "I know better than most what crimes I committed here, Queen Andromeda," I snapped.

Instantly, regret overcame her. "That guilt doesn't belong to you, Ursula. I caused Hugh's death through my actions and I know it well."

"If I may." Dafne stepped into the space between the four of us. My Derodotur, indeed, bridging the gap. "Hugh met his death through his own actions. To claim otherwise diminishes what were truly noble, heartfelt intentions."

We all looked toward the shrine Andi had made, the shining blue forget-me-not.

"Well said, librarian," I murmured and sent a prayer to Danu to give him wings. Still, I knew I would carry the burden of his spilled life with me for all eternity, no matter what any of the others thought.

"I think we are at a truce, then." Andi looked around the circle. "King Rayfe and I invite you into Annfwn, to aid in the search for Amelia, Ash, and the children. I will ask for your oath that you will not use this opportunity to cause harm to Annfwn or the Tala, or allow it to be caused through inaction."

"A sweeping vow," I observed, feeling a tug of reluctant admiration for her strategy.

"A perfectly reasonable one, we believe," Rayfe returned evenly. "Surely you would expect no less, Princess Ursula."

"Can any of us pass your barrier, however?" I asked. I'd been looking at Rayfe, but to my surprise, he deferred to Andi.

Her storm-gray eyes focused on us each in turn, seeming to look through us in that uncanny way she'd always possessed but that had sharpened and strengthened in a way that made my skin crawl even still, though I made certain not to show it. Beside me, Harlan shifted slightly, as if he felt an itch he dared not scratch, and I knew he perceived it also.

"Ursula can pass easily, of course. Dafne-"

"Easily?" I questioned. "I could not before."

A look of mischief crossed Andi's face. "I may have tilted things against you. It was important at the time that you believe you could not enter-nor bring Uorsin's army with you."

"And now?"

She sobered. "Now it's more important to have you here. And you have no army."

"I still fight for the High King."

"I know you do. Though I can't understand it." She sighed. "Nevertheless. Dafne, you have enough Tala blood that I think I can ease you through without much difficulty."

"She does?" I surveyed the librarian, who showed none of my surprise.

"The Mailloux family shared borders with the Tala for many generations." She raised her eyebrows at me. "It would be more surprising if there were not some intermixing."

"Captain Harlan will be more difficult," Andi continued.

"He can stay behind," I said.

He put a hand on my arm. "Not a chance."

Glaring at him, I shook it off. "We agreed that you would wait at the border."

"Only if it proved impossible for me to cross. If there's a way, I'll take it. It's my duty to go with you, to aid your mission and protect you."

"It's too difficult." I gave Andi a steady look, so she'd see that he needed to stay behind. She returned it blandly, though her gaze intensified as she studied me and Harlan in turn.

"Not impossible." She gave me a smile as she said it, with sweetness I didn't buy into for a moment. "I believe that with me present, we can use his connection to you to bring him across."

"He has no connection to me." I laid it out flat, willing her to understand. Harlan didn't move or look at me, but his seething displeasure impinged on my awareness anyway.

Andi raised her brows, deliberately misunderstanding the message. "Of course he does. The bond between you is very clear to my eye. You're obviously in love."

22.

Dafne studied the hem of her gown, attempting to avert her face so her smirk didn't show and failing miserably. Harlan gave me a long, considering look, one that I refused to acknowledge as I concentrated on not showing any reaction to Andi's ridiculous assertion.

"I'm not judging," Andi added, brow creasing in concerned puzzlement. "Far from it. I think it's wonderful that you've found someone to love. Someone to watch over you, for a change. And it will make possible what otherwise might be impossible."

My temple throbbed and I ran my thumb over the jewel for comfort. It felt unusually hot, perhaps because I'd had my hand there so long. "We've simply been working together on this journey. Shared dangers will create that sort of bond."

Andi glanced at Dafne, and they exchanged some sort of look I couldn't read. Rayfe set a hand on the small of Andi's back, under her long, loose hair, and she leaned toward him, regathering herself. "Regardless, he should be able to cross and we need him, too. It works best if I'm on the other side. Rayfe and I will step through, then Dafne. Captain Harlan, you will have to carry Ursula through."

"My pleasure."

"Wait. No-that will not happen."

Harlan shot me a look, mostly impassive but with amused irritation beneath. Andi put her fists on her hips in pure exasperation, then pointedly looked the mercenary over. "Seriously? Do you propose to carry him?"

"Does one have to be carried?"

"Yes." She glared. "Do I tell you how to plan your battles? I know how this works. Full-body contact. More is better."

"What about the horses?"

Rayfe smiled for the first time. "All animals are welcome in Annfwn." He murmured something in their liquid tongue and the horses trotted happily through, even my stallion uncharacteristically docile. Taking Andi's hand, Rayfe kissed her palm. "My queen?"

She smiled back at him with a passionate warmth that had me looking away. Unfortunately into Harlan's pale, discerning gaze. Danu take them all.

Andi and Rayfe took a few steps, then disappeared from view, as if walking through a mirror. Dafne threw me a glance, excitement clear in her bright eyes. "See you in Annfwn," she said. She walked forward, holding out her hands. At first she seemed to hit a wall; then her hands passed through, slowly, as if through mud. Then the resistance lessened and she passed through and disappeared.

Harlan tilted his head slightly, challenge glinting in his gaze. "Our turn."

I wanted to roll my shoulders, shake out some of the tightness there, but he would notice that, for sure. "Fine." I moved behind him at the same moment he started to put an arm around my shoulders, reaching the other for the backs of my knees. We collided and I jumped back. "What are you doing?"

"I was going to carry you," he replied, using that tone of infinite patience.

"Not a chance," I shot back, aghast at the thought of being helplessly carted about.

"Would you have me carry you over my shoulder like a wounded soldier?"

"I'll climb on your back."

"I've wanted your legs wrapped around my waist." He let his gaze travel down my body. "It's not exactly what I had in mind, but it gets me closer."

"Stop that," I hissed, turning so my back was to the barrier and I blocked as much of his voice and expression as I could. "They can still hear and see us."

His gaze flicked over my shoulder and back to my face. "Your sister already perceives the feelings you refuse to admit. This is a secret from no one."

"She perceives what she wishes to. The idea that I could somehow be in lo-It's absurd."