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hardly knew the man. How can I develop feelings for someone I’ve only met once?”
    “It was more than once. You said you might be in love with him after you met him that first time, remember?” Bran countered. “When he healed your eye.” Fool man. What does it matter if she loves someone else? What does it matter if she has wit and a pretty face? She’s an Oppressor.
    “He’s very handsome,” Grace admitted, “but, then, I discovered—shocking, I know—that handsome isn’t everything.”
    Bran smothered his laugh. “That is shocking.”
    They’d come to a section in the hall where it split off in different directions. Grace started to glide down one when she realized he hadn’t followed. “I need to see my aunt before I leave.”
    “Leave?” Bran asked, bewildered. “Where are you going?”
    “To Ruis, of course,” Grace answered. “It’s time for me to go home.”
    “Why don’t you travel with us?” It was out before Bran had time to think it through. “It’ll be fun, and certainly safer.”
    Grace bit her lip, unsure. “I don’t think Adaryn would like that very much.”
    “Who cares what Adaryn thinks?” What in blazes is wrong with me? “I would enjoy your company, and Aaric will too, as long as you don’t interrupt his fool studying.”
    “You would?” Happiness blossomed on her face, and she beamed up at him. “I could use a strong nomad to keep me safe. Thank you, Bran, I will consider it.”
    She turned on her heel and marched off down the hall. Bran took the stairs that would take him outside, a spring in his step.

14
Adaryn
     
    I stood before the collar. It was similar in make to those in Ruis, but different. It was thicker, and had more wires. I couldn’t bring myself to touch it, but had no qualms about calling up the magic to set fire to the infernal device. I watched the collar blacken and burn, a humorless smile on my lips. Aaric had spoken to Sirius, but had agreed with the despicable old man. Well, fine. I was taking matters into my own hands.
    It was midnight, and everyone seemed to be asleep, fortunately. After destroying the collar I left the Guild, slipping silently through the streets and through the tumbled mess of ruined gates. Getting into the palace was child’s play. The Guild members standing guard never even saw me. Sneaking through the palace halls, I descended several flights of stairs until I reached the dungeons. If Aaric or Bran knew what I was planning I’d be tied to a saddle and well on my way back to the clan by now.
    I’d taken the sky jewel from Aaric’s room while he slept, and, holding it, drew on its power, wrapping myself in shadow and light, becoming all but invisible to the guards keeping watch. It was a trick that Bran showed me, and it was proving to be quite useful now.
    Matias was kept in the lowest cell. It was cold and dank here, even in the middle of summer. There were two men standing guard outside his cell. I called forth enough magic to slam into them, knocking them unconscious.
    Looking through the cell door, I saw the former king. He was slumped in a sitting position, his head down. I focused the magic, and the lock melted off the cell door. I pushed it open, letting the shadows fall away from me. Matias lifted his head to stare at me, no hint of surprise on his features. “I knew it was you coming.”
    “Of course,” I snorted. “I’m pulling on the magic.” My mind recalled earlier memories and I narrowed my eyes. “How could you tell it was me when I came with the others in disguise? And earlier, when we blew up the barracks? I wasn’t using magic, then.”
    Still sitting, the once-king smirked at me. “It’s an ability I was born with. I can sense magic in all its shapes and forms. You don’t have to call the magic before I sense it in you, Adaryn.”
    “What about in the garden?” I countered. “When I was spying on you and discovered who you really were? You didn’t seem to sense me then.”
    Matias’