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had ever experienced the chilling touch of silken dreams, and what kind of horrors the slithering silk had brought him.
    Minna was so lost in her thoughts that she did not hear the doors open, or the soft tread of his feet. Shista's deep purr alerted her to his presence, and she turned.
    Blade fell to one knee and bowed his head. "My Queen."
    "Arise."
    The assassin stood, his cold eyes meeting hers in a brief glance before he lowered them to the hem of her azure satin skirts. Shista rubbed herself against his leather-clad legs. His black garb hugged him, a high collar, strengthened with thin strips of metal, covering his throat and the tattoo at the base of it. On another man, the outfit might have looked like the product of vanity, to show off a splendid physique, but she knew that this was impossible in his case. The clothes were functional, designed to give an opponent no hold during a fight, when loose attire would prove a great liability.
    The high collar shielded his throat from knives and garrottes, and the leather provided some protection for the rest of him, reinforced around his torso with a layer of fine chain mail. The tunic hung below his hips, slit at the sides and trimmed with silver thread. The colour allowed him to blend into the shadows, and gave him an air of subdued menace that his quiet, watchful manner heightened. Two daggers rode in his belt, and she glimpsed the gleam of a hilt up one of his sleeves. The weapons neither surprised nor alarmed her, for she sensed no animosity from him, only a cold disinterest that irritated her somewhat. Minna sank down on the cushions, and he sat before her.
    "I have considered your offer, and have decided to accept it," she said. "You will go to King Shandor's camp and kill him; you will bring me his son."
    Blade inclined his head.
    "Do you wish men to aid you?"
    "No. I work alone. Two horses, supplies and a little money is all I require."
    "Tell me how you will do it."
    "No."
    She stared at him, shocked by his refusal. A faint smile curled his lips, and hot words died on her tongue. "You are as insolent as ever, Blade. I shall have to teach you some manners when you return."
    "If it pleases you."
    "You do not need them though, do you? All you have to do is smile."
    He sighed and stroked the sand cat. "Sometimes."
    "When will you leave?"
    "As soon as you allow me to."
    She frowned at him, piqued by his terse replies. "How can one man walk into a mighty army such as Shandor's and live to tell the tale?"
    His smile became wry, touched with bitterness. "I have been there before."
    "Of course." She gazed at the garden. The sight of him brought the unfamiliar gush of interest that she strived to quell. "You have an excellent reason for wanting his death; no one can deny you that. This accursed war has caused too much suffering already, and I shall end it forever."
    "Not by holding the Prince to ransom. He has fifteen brothers."
    "I know. That is not my intention, but I want him unharmed. Do you understand?"
    He nodded. "My trade does not make me a compulsive killer, only an efficient one. Do you wish the King to suffer?"
    The Queen shivered at the impassive tone with which he made the offer. Death was a mere commodity to him, a service rendered to any who could afford it, without a trace of remorse on his part. "That is not necessary. Do you offer this to all your clients?"
    "Yes. It can be fast or slow, their choice."
    "Do many choose a slow death for their enemies?"
    He shrugged, expressionless. "Sometimes."
    "Do you enjoy killing?"
    "No."
    Minna smiled at his assertion. "I am glad. I would not wish to bestow the reward of lands and nobility upon a man who enjoyed killing, for nobles are able to abuse their position."
    "Rest assured, I am employed in this trade only to earn a living, and once I no longer need to, I shall retire."
    "Why did you choose this occupation?"
    He clearly did not like to be questioned, but her rank drew answers from him that he would have denied a