Shalador's Lady

by myself.”
    They looked at her. Just looked at her.
    Overprotective and bossy—and they managed the bossy part without saying a word.
    And would fight with her and for her to their last breath in order to protect her from real or potential harm, whether she wanted them to or not.
    Sighing, she went inside, shrugged out of her coat and handed it to Frannie—and pretended she wasn’t worried about how to control Ranon’s and Gray’s response to men they knew.
    She walked into the visitors’ parlor with Ranon and Gray moving to flank her—Gray on her left and Ranon on her right.
    Vae wagged her tail in greeting, then trotted out of the room.
    Well, that explained why the Scelties had relaxed a bit. Vae had been watching the guests and hadn’t given a call to battle.
    What was she supposed to say to these men about being regarded with such suspicion just because they had asked to see her? Her former court hadn’t behaved this way, so she had no precedent.
    Yes, she did. Jaenelle’s court. Her First Circle would have looked more casual, but they would have been just as prepared to fight.
    Ferall gave her a quick glance before focusing on her men.
    “Ranon,” Ferall said quietly. Then he studied Gray. “Jared Blaed.” Finally he looked at her. “Hikaeda and I are here on behalf of the Warlord Princes in our Province to wish you a Happy Winsol—and to thank you for the books. It means a lot to all of us to receive such a gift.”
    “You’re very welcome, gentlemen,” Cassidy said, smiling. “Could I offer you some refreshments?”
    “Thank you for the offer, but with your consent, we’d like to visit the main street and the shops there,” Ferall said. “Have a couple of special gifts to buy this year.”
    The words sounded simple enough, but Cassidy heard uneasiness in his voice. Almost fear. As if he’d just revealed something terribly important and terribly fragile, and he was waiting to see how she would respond.
    She smiled. “Then I won’t delay you any longer. I’ve gone shopping with my father when he wanted a special gift, so I know how long it can take a man to choose the right one.”
    Smiles and chuckles all around.
    “Jared Blaed and I could use some exercise, so we’ll walk over with you,” Ranon said casually.
    You need some what? Cassidy almost blurted out. Then she realized it wasn’t casual at all, and felt insulted on behalf of the men who had come here in good faith.
    She rounded on Ranon. “I’m sure Prince Ferall and Prince Hikaeda don’t need your escort for a little shopping.”
    “In point of fact, Lady, we do,” Hikaeda said.
    She turned back to her guests, surprised to hear Hikaeda defend Ranon.
    “When a Warlord Prince comes into a village, it makes people nervous,” Ferall said. “And they have good reason to be nervous. We are what we are, Lady Cassidy. Predators. Killers.”
    “It’s customary to give a Warlord Prince a local escort,” Hikaeda said. “It tells the people he isn’t there to hunt. Makes it easier for everyone.”
    “I see.” Was that true in Kaeleer as well? She didn’t remember her First Circle offering escort to a Warlord Prince when one of them came to Bhak. Maybe she could ask her cousin Aaron if this was typical of all courts or just a Territory Queen’s. “In that case, I apologize for snapping at you, Ranon.”
    They all looked surprised that she would apologize at all, let alone in public.
    Suddenly she wanted them all gone so she could get a cup of spiced tea and think about all the undercurrents and unspoken messages that had filled this room in the past few minutes.
    “You might want to stop at Whistler’s Tavern at some point,” Cassidy told Gray. “I think they’re serving steak pie along with some traditional Winsol dishes.”
    Gray glanced at the other men. “I think we’ll do that.”
    “Gentlemen.” She tipped her head, a small courtesy bow to indicate respect. “Happy Winsol.”
    She walked back to the kitchen and found Shira and Reyhana sitting at the table with Devra and Maydra. All of them had cups of coffee, and there were two cookies left on a plate.
    “We saved these two for you,” Shira said.
    Cassidy took one and chewed slowly. “Maydra, could you make another batch of these?”
    “We’ve made enough for all the households to share, Daughter,” Devra said.
    “I’d like to send them to someone as a special gift,” Cassidy said.
    Maydra nodded. “We’ve got enough ingredients for one