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gorge’s steep, jagged depths. She shuddered
    and tightened her grip. Kyne’s silent chuckle vibrated through
    her body.
    “See how she clings to life,” Katya’s voice mocked from
    behind. “Despite the wounds your father inflicted on him, Aubin
    clung to life as well. Throw her away, Kyne.”
    Sianna felt Kyne stiffen at the venom in Katya’s words.
    “Why did you not kill her yourself when you had the
    opportunity?” Kyne questioned softly. “Why did you bring her
    to me?”
    Ahead the path widened. Without answering, Katya spurred
     
    her quinar forward, pushing past Kyne and Sianna. Deju’s
    hooves churned the ground, throwing dirt and rock into the
    beckoning void. Quinar and rider raced away, but Katya’s
    tumultuous emotions lingered.
    “Who,” Sianna asked, “does Katya hate more, herself or
    me?”
    “You need not fear Katya. It is not her place to carry out
    judgement against you.”
    Sianna lifted her head. “I don’t fear Katya. Though she
    may hate me, she’ll not harm me. It is not in her to strike down
    any creature weaker than herself. Nor do I fear judgement, for
    I’ve done nothing to be judged guilty of, other than being born
    my father’s daughter.”
    “In my people’s eyes, that alone may be guilt enough.”
    “Is it enough in your eyes?” she countered.
    In answer, Kyne pulled Hakan to a halt and called out,
    “We’ll rest here.”
    Stopping at the edge of a mountain plateau, the group
    dismounted to stretch their legs and give their beasts a moment’s
    rest from the steep climb. The animals lowered their heads to
    the dry grass covering the flat piece of land nestled in the midst
    of towering peaks and deep crevices. Katya and Deju were
    nowhere to be seen.
    Sianna slid from Hakan’s back. Her legs wobbled a bit, but
    she quickly got them under control and stepped away. Behind
    her Kyne dismounted. He murmured to Hakan, who snuffled
    in reply. She walked around, easing the stiffness from her limbs,
    enjoying the weak warmth of the sun shining down on her head.
    When she looked over her shoulder, she saw Kyne in deep
    conversation with Graham. Both men appeared disturbed, and
    she could sense Graham’s determination. Easing closer, she
    peeked around Hakan’s bulk to listen.
    “You must keep her identity a secret from those in the
    stronghold. If anyone discovers she’s Laila DiSanti, she won’t
    live out the day,” Graham said.
    “And how do you propose I do that? Even if we can convince
    Katya to remain silent, what of Je’al and the others? A secret
    shared is no secret,” Kyne said.
     
    “Leave Katya to me.”
    Kyne merely lifted his eyebrows at Graham’s statement,
    but said nothing.
    “The others can be sent out on sentry patrol,” Graham
    continued. “By the time they return, the problem will be resolved.”
    Kyne raked a hand through his dark hair. “As usual, you
    are right, my friend, but how do we explain the woman’s
    presence?”
    The argument so obviously won, Graham smiled. “Already
    the castle walls bulge with those who seek your protection and
    those who wish to fight at your side against the tyrant. What’s
    one more refugee from DiSanti’s reign?”
    “True, but how will we keep her under guard if none know
    her identity? Unguarded, she could simply slip away.”
    “No one will question your right to have her in your quarters.
    In fact, there are plenty who will cheer your return to the land
    of the living from your self-imposed monkhood. And,” Graham
    grinned, “those who will curse the woman because they desire
    to be where she is.”
    Kyne’s expression changed from puzzlement to indignation.
    “I’ll not...” He whirled away from Graham’s mocking smile
    and met her gaze. Color stained his cheeks. Did he care what
    she might think of the arrangement? Apparently, yes. What did
    she think? Goose bumps blossomed over her body.
    “I’ll see to giving the men their instructions.” Graham turned
    and walked away, leaving