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him ? ”
    Kaleigh cocked her head and grinned .“ Gutted him like the pig he was. He raped and tortured not just women, but young boys as well. He thought it his right, since he was laird. No one has the right to take another by force .” Tears slid down her cheek to drip from her chin .“ It took me too many seasons to realize that was what I had done to the girl I thought I loved. I had forced myself on her. It was not right, and I paid for my crime . ”
    “ You must have lived out your sheanna. Certainly you can return to the vier ? ”
    “ I am sure I could, but Amd i — ” Emotion clung to her tone, deepening its resonance .“ He loves me, and I am utterly devoted to him . ”
    There was much Rhoane needed to learn, not just about the world, but about himself, it seemed. He had never heard of a sheanna Eleri choosing to stay away from the vier. Nor had he known being in the presence of a woman would affect him to the point of distraction. He tried to hide his desire, but his glances kept returning to Kaleig h’ s shapely form. H e’ d been too protected at the Weirren. Shielded too much from what he would encounter outside the borders of the Narthvier. He was woefully unprepared in all things.
    Kaleigh studied him as he waged war within his thoughts. When their eyes met, she nodded as if sh e’ d been eavesdropping .“ What made you sheanna ?”
    Rhoane suppressed a chuckle. H e’ d been impertinent to ask her, certainly he owed her the same respect sh e’ d shown by discussing her exile. He sensed in Kaleigh an ally and hoped he was n’ t wrong.
    “ Verdaine .” He retrieved the scroll from a hidden pocket of his saddlebags, relief coursing through him it had not been confiscated as well .“ She believes I will restore balance to Aelinae by finding th e Darennsai . ” He handed the scroll to his clanswoman .“ Carga copied the prophecy for me to study. If you would like to read it, I could use your help . ”
    Kaleigh took the scroll from him and scanned the pages. Her eyes grew even larger against her tanned skin. Her breasts rose and fell in quick succession. Rhoane all but heard the tripping of her heart as she paused every so often to fully read a section. When at last she looked up, tears shimmered in her arctic orbs.
    “ If this is true, then we have much work to do, my prince .” She bent to one knee, kissed her thumb before she placed it first to her forehead, then to her heart .“ I am beholden to Amdi in all things. I must tell him of this .” She paced the space of his tent, a hand to her forehead; the other clutched the scroll.
    “ What help can your laird be to us ?” Rhoane began, but Kaleigh hushed him.
    “ Amdi means for you to die in the arena. He distrusts the Eleri, sometimes even me .” She glanced over her shoulder toward the tent opening .“ You will be watched, always. He only let me tend to your wounds because he believes my skill is less than that of his healers .” She placed a warning hand on his forearm .“ You must never look at me like you have in this tent. You must learn to hide your emotions, especially from yourself. If this prophecy is true, you must meet your chosen one pure. Any dalliance will destroy the bond between the two of you . ”
    Kaleigh talked so fast Rhoane could hardly keep up, but one thing he understood too well .“ I know my oath. I will honor it . ”
    “ Rhoane, you are a man. There are certain things you have been sheltered from for far too long. Women, among them. You will be tempted many times, but you must not give in to carnal desires. Train your mind as you must train your body. Learn to fight with not just a sword, but your hands, a stick, whatever weapon you can find. Above all else, you can never lose in the arena . ”
    A guard entered the tent and motioned to Kaleigh .“ My lady, you have been overlong here. Any longer, and there will be questions . ”
    “ I understand .” Kaleigh turned to Rhoane, her eyes beseeching