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impressive. She took a deep breath forcing her chest up and out, then slid her hands down her body to rest at her waist cinching the material tight, showing off her curves. “Ash, I didn’t see you there. Why don’t you come with me? I don’t think my father will mind. And I would love to have you again.” Her words held a double meaning that she couldn’t possibly know I understood and they grated down my spine. She took two steps swaying toward him and I just couldn’t stand there.
    I sidestepped so I completely blocked her. “Leave him alone, Belladonna.”
    Her eyebrows rose as she tried to move around me. “And why would you care what I do with Ash?”
    I went with her, jaw twitching. What I wanted to say was that she’d used him and hurt him enough. But I didn’t. “He’s in charge here. Show him respect.”
    She shrugged. “He’s not in charge. And neither are you.”
    Behind her, our father stepped into the Traveling room. “That is correct. I am in charge.”
    Belladonna whirled and swept into a low curtsey, holding it for three breaths before speaking. “Father, I beg you, do not send me with Larkspur. She is inexperienced and I would feel far safer if Ash were at my side.”
    Damn, it was impressive how fast she could shift directions. One second she was her mother’s child, conniving and demanding. The next, humble and begging as if she were truly thinking only of our father’s wishes.
    Father’s eyes flicked from Belladonna to me and then to Ash. They stayed on Ash for more than a few seconds, as if truly weighing Belladonna’s request.
    Heart in my throat, I waited, hoping he had enough sense to . . . no in a weird way, my sister was right. I was inexperienced and she probably would be safer with Ash. Though he would not be safe with her. Father shook his head.
    “No. Larkspur will be your bodyguard. That is final.” He beckoned me and I stepped forward. “My daughter’s safety will be your first priority, Ender, and you will help her find the information we need to understand if the civil war is dangerous to our family or not. Do not interfere, do not take part in anything other than your duties as an Ender.”
    I gave him a stiff bow from my waist. “As you say, my king.”
    He gave me a raised eyebrow and then turned to Belladonna. “You will not put yourself into a situation where your Ender’s life could be on the line. When it comes to safety, Larkspur’s word will be law between the two of you and you will obey her. Do not interfere with the political goings-on and do not take part in anything other than your duties as an ambassador.”
    Belladonna curtseyed again, and her voice was tight. “As you say, my king.”
    Father pulled her into a hug. “Be safe, my child.”
    Letting her go, he left the room as swiftly as he’d entered. My throat tightened as he walked away, closing the door without even a glance behind to me. Ash put a hand on my shoulder, his fingers digging in. Even Belladonna glanced at me and I saw the pity there for just a split second before she covered it. She smoothed her skirts and pointed at the armbands against the wall. The magic that allowed us to travel the world with ease.
    “Lark, I believe you are the one who has to use that, correct?”
    It took everything I had to swallow the hurt and unshed tears. I was an Ender, I would not cry because my father hadn’t hugged me goodbye. But the little girl part of me wanted to sob. Wanted to know why I was so unlovable. Ash’s fingers tightened a little more. “Get the armband.”
    Moving, I felt disconnected from the moment and forced myself to put my hurt away.
    The armband was made of cedar, smooth and polished to a high gleam. I slipped it up my arm and settled it over my bicep remembering the last time we’d used the band. “Just to be clear, it won’t slide off?”
    “No, it won’t come off until you remove it, and no one else can take it off unless they remove your arm. I don’t suggest you