“I don’t want to fight you.” She stared offover his shoulder, worried he might see just how nervous shewas.
“That’s a relief. You’re much better skilledthan you were the night I snuck into your bedroom.”
Her cheeks flushed at the memory of wavingher small blade at him and the kisses they had shared.
He whispered in her ear. “Maybe we will skipdinner and visit with the family in the morning.”
Her blush deepened, the heat of her cheeksrising under her hands.
“Russal,” a shrill voice announced frombehind her. “You have a lifetime to annoy the girl.”
“Lady Laurents, aren’t you too tired to havesuch energy?” Russal chuckled. “Let me call you an escort to seeyou on your way to your chambers.” He raised his arm as if to calla servant over.
“I have every intention of enjoying myselfthis evening at the family dinner. I’ve waited a long time for aqueen to set you in your throne.”
“You say that with a smile, but your voice issinister.” He shook a finger at her. “Have you arranged for Kambryto treat me with cod-liver oil or one of your other remedies toensure my good health?”
She swatted his shoulder with a fan. “I gaveyou cod-liver oil once, Russal. Let it go.”
“What about the nut muffins?”
She glared at him for half a second and saidin a voice devoid of warmth, “You loved those nut muffins.”
“If you knew that, why did you stop makingthem for me?”
“Russal, you are exasperating.” Lady Laurentspulled a sympathetic face, the most emotion Kambry had seen herdisplay, and stared in Kambry’s eyes. “He’s all yours.” She huffedand walked away.
“You are in a fine mood, Russal.” Kambryswatted his other shoulder.
“And now you are giving mixed signals, QueenKambry.” He rubbed his shoulder and looked around them, found whathe was looking for, and said, “I need to go tell the regiment ournext move. I’ll be back in a moment, my queen.” He gave her a bowand a saucy eyebrow raise before heading away.
She shook her head and gazed about her, asmile of contentment on her face. A regiment? Really.
A breeze slid over her cheek and then pressedher to look to the left. She allowed it to guide her and perusedthe faces in view. A flash of red caught her eye, and she held hergaze in place, taking a moment to catch up to why the glimpse ofred stood out to her. The shoulder of a doublet, a slash of darkbrown hair. The individual turned to face her, revealingbrownish-green eyes, and then a couple danced in the way. When theypassed, a woman in lavender filled the space. FelipCovey?
An arm curved over her shoulders, and sheflinched. Russal looked at her, concerned. “What is it,Kambry?”
“I thought I saw something.”
“It startled you.”
Burty joined them. “We’re ready to escort youto your chambers, Your Majesties.”
Kambry braced herself and snapped a playfulglare at the marshal. “Burty, not you, too.”
“You don’t wish to leave yet, Queen Kambry?”he asked, grinning.
Russal laced her arm through his. “Let’s talkas we walk. Tell me what disconcerted you.”
Burty leaned in. “Should I eavesdrop?”
Kambry looked toward where she had seen theflash of red and those green eyes. It had happened so fast shehadn’t been able to confirm it was Covey. “I thought I sawFelip Covey for just an instant.”
Burty straightened, gave Russal a quick nod,and marched away. Kambry saw him stop next to Guardsman Drew. Theyspoke for a moment, and then Burty returned. “I think heading backto your chambers is best. I’ll notify the steward there will be achange in venue for the traditional coronation meal. Drew will seethat the guards make a quiet search among our visitors and anyonecoming in or going out.”
Burty paused and gazed out at the crowd ofpeople, seeming to look for someone. “I’ll locate Lord and LadyJickon and ask about their contingent of guards. That family goesnowhere without a few of their own close by. The bright red oftheir uniforms may have been what surprised you. I thought I hadconvinced them they would need no further protection than our ownguards, but perhaps Jickon still included one or two withouttelling me.” He directed a contingent to file in behind Kambry andRussal. “I’ll break the throng ahead, Your Majesties.”
Kambry, determined not to let a confusedglimpse of Covey ruin their perfect night, said, “Is this a throngin Kavin? Paddlyrun assigns throngs to greater numbers.” Theyambled toward the curtain wall that ran behind where the thronenormally sat.
“It seems only fair that the queen’s hometownhave at least one achievement greater than Kavin Realm; throngnumbers seem appropriate.” He guided her by a tight group of womenwhose attention to one of their own number kept them from beingaware of their approach.
One tall woman turned, her dark eyes flashingat Kambry. She nodded and returned to the conversation.
“Just in throngs? You’re a rather stingy kingwith your praise.”
He pressed her hand between his ribs andelbow. “I am considering adding dance to the list of Paddlyrunachievements.”
“Dance?”
“Your parents learned Kavin’s Covenant Dancein short order.” Russal slowed as they mounted the low dais. “Ionly asked them a few days ago if they would mind taking part. Theyput their hearts into it. The rest of our Paddlyrun visitors havekept up as well.”
“There are steps to that dance?”
“You didn’t need teaching. You’re anatural.”
“You mean I have natural assistance.” Kambrygrinned. Perhaps Paddlyrun society lacked a bit of grace in theirdance steps, but they more than made up for it in enthusiasm. “Mydisappearance may have cut their spring celebration short. Wealways have a series of community dances. I think our celebrationhere made up for it.” They had reached the curtained wall andturned to survey the chamber. Russal nodded at Burty, and theguards spread out on either side of them, along the wings of thedais.
Burty gestured to the lead piper, who ceasedat once, his fellow musicians silencing only a beat behind him. Heraised his pipe to his lips again and sounded three pips.
Russal raised his voice, calling out instrong, controlled
