Casket of Souls

tell you that Caem is a traitor. He’s been including reports on my movements and actions in letters you send to your father.” She paused, letting that sink in.
    “My—my father?” Danos was white to the lips now, and swaying. Myrhini quickly guided him to a stool by the map table and poured him a cup of water.
    Danos accepted it with trembling hands but did not drink as he looked up at Klia. “By the Four, Commander. What does my father have to do with this?”
    “That’s what I’m trying to ascertain.” Klia sat down beside him and took his hand. “I’m relieved that you’re not involved, Danos. You’re one of my best, and most honorable.”
    Despite her kind words, he still looked poleaxed. “I’ll resign my commission, of course—”
    “You’ll do nothing of the sort. You will remain as my officer, and you’ll say nothing of anything you’ve heard here tonight to anyone, and most especially not to your father. That’s an order, Captain. Do you understand?”
    “About not saying anything? Of course. But why would you want me under your command, knowing my father’s shame?”
    “Nothing has been proven, Danos. And you are not your father or his deeds. In all the time you’ve served with me, I’ve never known you to commit a dishonest act. If I didn’trespect that, I wouldn’t be much of a commander. Can you continue to serve me wholeheartedly?”
    The young man’s voice was unsteady as he huskily replied, “To my last drop of blood, Commander. To Bilairy’s gate!”
    Klia clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s good enough for me.”
    Danos drew a deep breath, trying to recover his composure. “But what do I say to the riders about Caem? He’s popular among them.”
    “That he was caught spying,” Klia replied. “I’m sending him directly to the general. You’ll come as well, and I will vouch for you. Wait for me outside. Go with him, Myrhini.”
    “Do you need me to come with you and offer evidence?” asked Thero when the others had gone out. “I can’t go back yet. I have to rest before I can cast the translocation again.”
    Klia sighed. “No, stay here. It’s better for both of us if you’re not seen. At this point I’m not sure who to trust. I’ll use one of your message wands to send word of what comes of the other interrogations. I want you to go to Korathan with news of this as soon as you get back.”
    “Of course.”
    “Thank you for all you’ve done.” Klia paused, then kissed him.
    He held her tight, trying to memorize the feel of her, all the angles and curves.
    She seemed to be doing the same, and his face went red and hot as he thought of her feeling the hard press of his rigid member against her belly.
    Yet she gave no sign of repugnance. Instead she pressed her hand to his chest over his unruly heart again. “You say this is mine? I claim it and charge you with keeping it safe until I return.”
    With that she turned and strode away to join the others. He heard voices, then footsteps fading into the night. The memory of her touch and words ached like fever in his bones. Staring into the darkness beyond the doorway, he whispered, “I love you, Klia.”

 
    S EREGIL and Alec were to go riding with Elani the following morning, but it was sheeting down rain and word had come from the Palace that they would spend the day indoors instead.
    “I’m beginning to feel like the court pet,” Alec laughed as they gathered their gaming stones and Seregil’s harp.
    “Elani has certainly taken to us, and we’re finally getting inside. We’ve got to find out who is providing Reltheus with her letters. My money is still on that scribe of hers. He’s in charge of her correspondence, unless things have changed since my days there.”
    “You’ve never said much about that,” Alec noted.
    “Not much to say. I wasn’t well suited to court life,” Seregil replied. “And it wasn’t a particularly happy time.”
    They were just about to leave when Runcer knocked at their chamber door.
    “Is the carriage here?” asked Alec.
    “No, my lord. Lord Thero is asking to speak with you.”
    “Show him up to the library.”
    Seregil caught the scent of smoke and magic on Thero’s clothing as the wizard strode past him into the library. He was dressed in trousers and coat, and looked decidedly troubled. “Did you finally manage to set your tower on fire?”
    “Klia summoned me last night,” Thero replied. “I just got back.”
    “Is she all right?”