Shalador's Lady

said. “Is there something else we can offer as refreshment?”
    Would Julien actually open a vein and mix his own blood with red wine to make yarbarah?
    Studying his butler’s face, Theran realized that was a distinct possibility. “Let me find out if he wants anything.” He paused, wondering if he was reading something in Julien’s voice that wasn’t really there. “I appreciate the offer.”
    Julien nodded and stepped out of the room.
    A minute later, Talon walked in.
    “Happy Winsol,” Talon said, giving Theran a hard hug and a smile.
    “Happy Winsol.” Theran grinned, delighted by this visit. “Come sit by the fire. I don’t think we’ll have more snow until morning, but the old men who have weather aches say no one will move far from their own doorstep tomorrow.”
    “They’re probably right,” Talon replied, taking a seat by the fire. “Plenty of snow up in the mountains this year.”
    “You were in the Tamanara Mountains?” Theran couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice. Did Cassidy know her Master of the Guard was visiting the rogue camps?
    “I always visit the camps during the Winsol nights.” Talon gave him a sharp look. “You know that.”
    Of course he did. The past few years, he’d made those visits with the older man.
    “I didn’t think you’d have time for that this year,” Theran said. He didn’t add that, until tonight, he hadn’t thought about the men who had remained in the mountain camps.
    “I had time.”
    Made time is what Talon meant. Since he should have done the same, he changed the subject. “How’s Gray?”
    Talon smiled. “Boy’s got as much energy as a Sceltie, and he’s almost as good at herding.”
    Is she working him hard? Not a question he could ask out loud since Cassidy was a sore subject between them.
    Still smiling, Talon shook his head. “When he wasn’t working in the Queen’s gardens, he was overseeing the restoration of the small public gardens and parks in the village. Since Cassie, Shira, and Vae all insisted that he balance that with quiet work, Powell put him in charge of helping villages establish loaning libraries. I’ve never seen him happier.”
    “Won’t he miss having you with him for Winsol?” Theran asked.
    “Nah. Cassie’s parents and her brother are staying for Winsol. Along with the First Circle, he’s got plenty of people around him.” Talon gave him a long look, then asked quietly, “What about you? Why are you alone tonight?”
    “I’ve attended more parties, winter picnics, musical evenings, card parties, riding parties, you-name-it parties in the past six days than I’ve ever seen. I had a choice of attending four Winsol parties or having a quiet evening at home. I chose to stay home.”
    “And Kermilla?”
    He ignored the ache caused by the sound of her name. “She had Winsol commitments to fill in Dharo.”
    Cassidy’s court didn’t know that Kermilla was gone for good, and he wasn’t about to say anything that would lead Talon to think that. Besides, he didn’t know for certain she was gone for good. Correne’s death and the reason the little bitch had died had shaken Kermilla. It would have shaken any woman with a sensitive heart. Once she had some time away, she might realize that her influence as Dena Nehele’s Queen would curb the younger Queens and could prevent another tragedy like the one that had left a boy so horribly maimed.
    As pleased as he was to see Talon, it was unfortunate that Cassidy’s Master of the Guard had learned that Kermilla wasn’t currently in Dena Nehele. Without Kermilla’s presence, Cassidy would solidify her claim as Territory Queen next spring without a challenge. He still didn’t think she was the best Queen for Dena Nehele, so he saw no reason to surrender the field to her until he had no other choice.
    Talon stared at the fire, saying nothing. Then he shook himself out of whatever thoughts had pulled him away. “Didn’t intend to disturb your quiet evening. I just wanted to stop by and give you these.” He called in two wrapped packages, one large and one small.
    Theran’s face burned. With the way they’d parted, he hadn’t expected to see Talon or Gray, hadn’t expected to be remembered. So, feeling the pinch in his purse, he hadn’t bought anything for them. “Talon . . .”
    Talon waved a hand dismissively. “Freely given. Freely taken.”
    The words Cassidy used the first time she had offered Talon blood from her vein. Apparently the