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more scars than I thought," Iolyn said, sitting on the edge of the pool. He'd taken off his boots and rolled up his trousers and dipped his feet in.
    "You might be the first person whose seen me in the nude since I was a babe." I ducked my head under to get the last of the mud out of my hair.
    "What a shame," he replied. "You've got fine shoulders."
    I peered back at him. "Shoulders, eh? Is that all you were looking at?"
    He smiled. My heart beat sped up a little. "Perhaps not." He leaned down and kissed me, on the lips this time. He broke away and looked me in the eyes. "I've wondered now, if we shared the same interest."
    "We met less than a week ago."
    "Officially, but I've had my eye on you. The way you move -- I couldn't help but notice. You stalk, like a predator. I knew what you were the moment I saw you. That piqued my interest. I suppose there was more to it than that, though."
    "Really?" I twisted around so I could look at him without straining my neck and propped my arm up on the edge to the pool.
    "You never paid any attention to the girls who bat their eyes at you."
    "What girls?"
    "Precisely." He smiled. "I found myself wondering if perhaps we did not share the same inclination. I found myself wanting you."
    "And I was terrified of you. I was certain if anyone would figure out my secret it would someone who was as devoted to weapons as you. I avoided you." And then he loomed in my doorway and gave me a beating. I hadn't really minded; it healed. "I don't know what I feel now."
    "You've been through much in your life; I don't expect you to know exactly what you feel. I'm willing to take things slowly. Just tell me. Do I have a chance?"
    I considered that. I knew there was something about this man that was drawing me in. He understood me in a way no one else could. He knew what I'd been through, knew what the scars were from, knew how I had been trained. Jon, for all his words, could not understand all that I was. Iolyn -- he made me feel like I wasn't alone.
    I leaned up and kissed him. "Yes."
    He put his hand on my face and ran his thumb over my cheek. "Good. I've always wanted to see a Veneseran bladesmith in action up close."
    "You didn't get enough of them in the war?"
    Iolyn's smile turned mischievous. "Not that sort of action."
    I blushed. "You're an evil man."
    "I know. Remind me to get you drunk again soon, will you? You say the most interesting things when you let your guard down."
    I shook my head. "You are terrible."
    "I know." He kissed me again. "I'll fetch you some clothes, you stay here."
    "All right." I watched him leave, a strange feeling settling under my skin. I was.. hopeful. Things were going to change for me. No more lurking in the shadows.
     
    ***
     
    Clean, dry and in a fresh change of clothes that weren't mine, in a bed in a room that was much nicer than the one I had in the servants quarters, I stared at the ceiling over my head. The hawk perched in a tree outside the window, watching. What did I want to do? Serve Jorian? In what capacity? Would Iolyn and I become more? Would I?
    "You look deep in thought," Iolyn said from the door.
    "I am." I sighed, and sat up, propped by my elbow.
    He crossed the room and set my book down next to me, "The prince forgot to return this."
    "Thank you."
    "So -- your sister?"
    "Analise d' Ilore, Anna."
    "You said she was murdered. Who killed her?"
    "The king. He defiled my sister and slit her throat."
    "You said justice was done?" He sat down next to me.
    "My king and his guard were killed in battle by the Wolf of Rothwell. I plan to shake his hand if I ever get the chance."
    "Morraine of Devonshire. I've met him, he's.. insane."
    "Am I?"
    "No." He put a hand on my arm, stroking the bare skin of my forearm. "A little cracked, but not broken. Do you plan to claim your title, Duke of Ilore?"
    "If I do, I'll paint a target on my back."
    "You think there is anyone of the old guard left in Veneser that could do you in?"
    "I doubt it."
    "Then stop worrying,