Wafting breezes swirled about her. She calledKavin to make the map visible. The eddy of air curled around herand through the room. The purple and green glow revived in the thinlines delineating the castle routes, common and concealed.
Resting her hand over the last open access,she extended her sense of the layout, searching for anyone in thepassages. She jerked her hand back. A hooded figure stood in anarrow corridor and seemed aware of her, turning as if to lookright at her. Though shadows covered the woman’s features, Kambrynoted brilliant-red hair hanging past the hood that covered thewoman’s face. Was this Maizalyn?
Even that woman she’d rather not trap withinthose hidden corridors. Pressing her hand to the wall, she sent asurge of magic and demanded Kavin send the intruder out. An imageformed in her head, and she watched the woman fight to remain inplace as a rush of wind compelled the figure into retreating, hercloak streaming out behind her, the hood slipping back to exposefair skin and an open mouth. The woman grasped at the wall, butfinding no purchase for her fingers, was pushed along, her bootssliding over the stone floor.
Exhilaration filled Kambry’s chest. Whatpower! To force someone along amazed her and somewhat frightenedher. Shaking with nervousness and fearful that the woman wouldfight back, she demanded more from Kavin. But the figure washard-pressed to stop her motion. To keep from being knocked over,the woman had to take steps that soon brought her to a hiddendoorway. Kambry reformed its ability to be unfastened and struck itaside with Kavin magic. When the wind tossed the woman out of thecorridor, Kambry giggled and pressed the door shut and sealedit.
Earlier, she hadn’t wanted to give away thatthey had the power to alter the passages, but now she wantedwhoever that was to know someone was in charge and could move herphysically. Maybe she should lock her in the room Kambry had forcedto enter. Kambry asserted her control again. But the woman wasalready running.
Just as Kambry was about to grab for moremagic and follow her to where she might seclude herself, Kambryheard footsteps beyond the outer map room. It could be Russal, butwhat if it wasn’t? She rushed to the stone doorway and slipped pastthe ragged stone edge of the entry. She pressed it shut, glad shehad only opened it far enough to step in, and dashed forward. Thebook she had glanced at earlier was still open on the table, andshe leaned her hip casually against the table edge and flipped apage.
Drew appeared in the doorway just as sheglanced up on sensing that whoever was coming was close. He perusedthe room. “Your Majesty, where are your guards?”
She waved a casual hand. “Oh, there aboutsomewhere. You know how they get tucked out of sight. I believeDorvea will be back shortly. I sent her to find the king. I wish toshow him something.” Now why had she thought she needed to makeDrew believe she had protection in place?
He took a step into the room. “Will you beresuming your training soon?”
It was an odd turn of conversation, butKambry counted the days since her last workout with Lessa. Fivedays since the coronation activities pulled her from her routinerun with her friend and sparring with Cole. Without Gordy, shouldshe turn to Drew to arrange her schedule?
“I suppose I’ll start tomorrow if they freeLessa up from following ladies about the castle to ward off FelipCovey’s attention.” She pressed her hand to the page of the book,pretending to peruse the illustrated roadways of a small forestcity. Her queen’s scabbard creased at her wrist, and she wasthankful the leather was supple. But the stiffness along the backof her hand pressed hard against her middle knuckle.
“Maybe today would be a good time to start,”Drew said, taking another step into the room. “I can convey you toyour chambers where you could change, and then I can take you to atraining room.” He looked down the hall. “I believe there’s one inthis part of the original keep if you prefer the chill.”
The ring on Kambry’s thumb flickered orange,and she stiffened. Did he just expose the intention to committreason? The ring had never responded to sarcasm, and she hadpicked up an edge of mockery in his words. Drew had always beenpolite, and they had only just developed a teasing relationship,still early in development, recently. She let her voice harden,“Tomorrow at the earliest. I do not have time today for training. Ihardly think a few days will set me back much.”
“You’d be surprised, Your Majesty, what cantranspire in a few short days.”
The ring flickered again. “I think I’m overbeing surprised.” She eyed the king’s ring and hoped it didn’tflash green at her own deception. She was feeling far more thansurprise at the thought that Drew might be a traitor. “I would liketo remain here and wait for Russal.” She tapped the page. “I thinkhe should see this.”
Drew stepped up beside her. “That’s Aldar,capital of the Neck Kingdom.”
“Hmm.” Well, fine. “Yes, Russal and Ihave been considering sending an ambassador to foster greaterinteraction to our mutual benefit.” There, that soundedrealistically diplomatic.
Drew’s hand gripped her elbow, a littletighter than appropriate.
She jerked her arm from his hold and steppedaround the table, placing it between them. “You overstep, GuardsmanDrew.”
“I have only just begun to overstep.”
Her heart thumped hard against her ribs. Thiswas the moment, here deep within the old keep away from everyonethat protected her. She tipped her head. “I haven’t gotten theimpression you have feelings for me. Maybe we need to talk aboutthis.”
His lip curled. “You think because the kingand Covey have lost their heads over you that all men worshipyou.”
What is another delaying action she coulduse? “Dorvea is on her way with your king. Perhaps you shouldrethink your actions.” Sarena entered the room, and Kambry yelled,“Get the guards, Sarena!”
Sarena smiled and sauntered forward, her armreaching out to run a hand down Drew’s back. “But we have a guardright here, Your Majesty.”
Sarena is the betrayer! Kambry looked at Drewand then her personal maid. Sarena
