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in my own home as a participating part of Yacaro society.”
    The department head disappeared from her cell door, and she continued to sit in the holding cell. Based on her assessment of the change in light across the hall, she estimated that an hour had passed.
    An officer stood in front of the cell and said, “You have a visitor.”
    “How could I have a visitor, no one knows I am here.”
    She got to her feet and stood with the dried blood of her split cheek itching. A man with elaborate clothing and the skin cast of a Genaran stood in front of her. His eyes wore the same tattoos as Drehl, and his face was so familiar to her that she gave a graceful bow. “Your Highness.”
    He smiled grimly. “It seems my brother has declared himself to you.”
    “That depends. Who is your brother?”
    He chuckled. “Drehl. He is away on…business and asked me to check on you. Imagine my surprise when your home had been ransacked and your studio destroyed.”
    “They…” She dropped to her knees at the thought of her work in tatters. “Everything?”
    He frowned. “Most of the canvases that were on display were sliced to ribbons. It was the seizure notice on your door that gave me a clue as to your whereabouts. How much did you fight?”
    She shook her head. “I didn’t. I opened the door and was greeted by a fist. How bad does it look?”
    “Half your face is a disturbing colour that I am guessing is not normal for your species.” He gestured, and the officer unlocked her cell door. “Our first stop will be a physician.”
    She cleared her throat. “What is our second stop?”
    “My home. You will remain there until Drehl returns from his business. It is safe for you, unlike your current situation.” He offered her his arm, and she placed her cuffed hand on his.
    They walked out of the holding area, and he paused while the officer outside the holding area removed her cuffs. The harsh red bands on her skin made her frown and the frown made her wince.
    “So, Rhoda Evergreen, how is it that my brother knows you are the one for him?”
    She cleared her throat. “I sketched his destiny, and I was in it. It was the first time I have ever appeared in my own work.”
    “So, you convinced my brother that you were his destiny?”
    “No. He insisted that the original sketch was correct despite the fact that I was trying to destroy it.”
    The prince signed documents at the front desk, and the officer cringed away from him.
    She cleared her throat. “What is your name?”
    “Kebril. Prince Kebril if you want to be formal.” He ushered her into a transport, and his driver took off.
    He spoke clearly. “Ysmas, take us to the Genaran medical centre.”
    They elevated above traffic, and the jolt of speed pushed her back into the comfortable seat, as well as caused an ache in her head.
    Rhoda looked down and saw the capitol under them as they increased in speed. “They were going to deport me.”
    She shuddered at the thought of being shoved onto the first low-class transport leaving Yacaro. Most of the cheap seats involved being sent in cold sleep, and once you were out, you were fair game. She didn’t have a lot of marketable skills aside from her paintings and sketches so that was the least appealing of any option that she had been presented with. Life as a slave didn’t suit her temperament.
    “Yes. They were not pleased that I appeared. Apparently, one of the Guardians declared you to be off limits for extortion. I can guess which one.” Kebril smiled.
    “You would probably guess correctly. He was…concerned when an officer came to my door and demanded a bribe.”
    Kebril rubbed his face. “That sounds like him. How long have you known him?”
    “Three days in total.”
    Shock was printed on his features. “Three days and he declared himself?”
    She nodded. “It shocked me too. Mind you, so did the sight of myself in his arms when I drew the sketch.”
    He chuckled softly. “You were not interested in