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.“ Do not do anything foolish. Eat. Sleep. Conserve your strength. Amdi will test you in all things. Me, for one. If you so much as look at me with want, we will both be executed. However, if you can defeat his traps, you will ride away from Ulla stronger for the experience. Trust me . ”
    “ Why are you helping me ?” He kept his voice low, barely audible.
    “ Because ,” mirth marked her words ,“ the gods know someone has to. You are too hotheaded for your own good. If not for me, you would be dead by the morning and that is a travesty none of us can afford. I just need to convince Amdi of this . ”
    After she replaced her headdress, she left in a swirl of dark fabric. The guard glared at Rhoane for several moments until he, too, exited the tent. Kaleigh had taken the scroll with her, and for one mad moment Rhoane started to dash after her, but he halted mid-stride. Let her study the scroll. It might be what would keep him alive one more day.
    He eased onto the cot, wincing with every bruise and cut that touched the rough fabric. He stared at the ceiling, cursing himself. His first decision outside the vier might have cost him his life. If he died, what would happen to the Darennsai?
    The image of a woman, hair like a cloud on a bright Frost End day, eyes as blue as the deep sea, sprang to his mind. The Darennsai. He was certain of it. But where? Was this in the present, or future? He clung to the image like a frightened child to his mothe r’ s hand, not wanting to let go. Afraid of losing the connection. A soft fluttering started in his heart. Something akin to panic blossomed in his chest to spread across his body.
    The woma n’ s smile lit up her face and his anxiety lessened.
    “ Who are you ? ”
    “ I am your beloved, Rhoane .” Behind her, ghost-like, flared a pair of darathi vorsi wings. Silver scales caught the moonlight and she lifted her face to the stars .“ Wait for me, my darling. Mi carae .” Then she was gone.
    Rhoane rubbed his temples, doubting his own sanity. One thing he knew for certai n— real or imagined, this woman would keep him fighting. For her. For Aelinae. He would wait a thousand lifetimes to hear her laughter.
     

Chapter 5

     
    FOR near on eight moonturns, Rhoane faced a new opponent in the arena four times a week. Each one more violent than the last. Each one out for his blood. On the nights he was n’ t dragged to the fighting ring, he was challenged in other ways. Kaleigh had n’ t been wrong when sh e’ d said Amdi would try to break his spirit.
    Each night at sundown, a lovely young woman would bring Rhoane his meal. Dressed in little more than a thin scarf, she would entice him to enjoy his dinner and stay until he finished eating. Then, the real training began. Each nubile young thing tried various ways to provoke Rhoan e’ s desire. Some would lay their hands upon him; others used dance to seduce him. After the first few visits, where Rhoane would cling to the image of the woman with hair of silken stars, he learned how to remove himself from the situation. If not bodily, then in mind and function. He became little more than a lifeless figure laying on his cot.
    The girls could coo or cuddle all they liked, but he refused to respond. Their attempts to lengthen his manhood failed. Each night they entered his tent and left defeated, disappointed, and, perhaps, disgraced. He did n’ t care. As long as Amdi tested him, Rhoane vowed to best the laird.
    Each night after he battled, Kaleigh would bring his meal and tend to his wounds. He kept his interactions with her polite. Since the first night, when sh e’ d taken the scroll, sh e’ d not mentioned the prophecy again. Rhoane broached the subject twice, getting a stern shake of her head in reply. He knew the guards stationed just outside his door listened to their conversations, and dropped the subject immediately.
    It was n’ t until the ninth cycle of the moon that Rhoane understood Kaleig h’ s