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power within the Sinisters, the man had no choice but to lay low for fear Sentian or Thom would suspect him.
    Peering off into the drifting fog that obscured the rest of the ocean beyond The Sinisters, hiding what dwindling land could be glimpsed, Conar held his wife against him and made a vow. They would stay on this small wisp of land until all was right between them.
    * * *
    "This was Syn-Jern Sorn's hideout, wasn't it?" Liza asked, thinking of her husband's outlaw ancestor.
    "Aye," Conar said, "and this is where he brought his lady-wife so no harm could befall her."
    "And their children were born here," she sighed, looking at the little ones playing in the surf.
    "Liza, I…" he started, feeling the loss of their own son, but she put a hand to his lips.
    "I am tired, Milord," she whispered. "Don't you think we should go to bed?"
    Conar grinned at her as he saw the twinkle in her green orbs. "Will I get any sleep, Milady?"
    "Maybe. Then again, maybe not. Don't you think we should strive to give Serenia an heir?"
    "You think so?"
    Liza nodded thoughtfully. "I do."
    The Prince of the Wind sighed deeply. "The things I do for my people."
    He brought her hand to his lips. Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he placed a tender kiss in her palm then lowered her hand and pressed her splayed fingers over his heart.
    "We need to talk, Milady." He cupped her cheek with his free hand. "Without the distraction your lovely body causes me in bed."
    Blushing, Liza lowered her head. She giggled. "There I go being a distraction again."
    Her reference to a conversation they had when they first met made Conar smile. "Far more pleasant than a loud noise or buzzing insect."
    She looked up. "You remember that?"
    He pulled her to him. "I remember everything that has ever happened between us, Liza-love," he whispered against her hair. "Most things have been sheer bliss, but there have been times when I think you would have been better off never having known me." When she tried to pull away, he would not allow it. "Let me have my say while I have the courage to speak my mind."
    She relaxed against him, her cheek pressed to his wide chest. "So long as you do not denigrate the man I love, I'll hear you out."
    He rested his chin on top of her head and looked out to sea. The wind blew gently across his face, fanning the thick golden hair and mingling with her raven tresses. The symbolism of the moment was not lost on him.
    "You know what I made Gezelle do," he said softly.
    Liza closed her eyes. "Aye, Conar. I know."
    "She has every right to hate me."
    "She does not."
    "It was an evil thing I made her do and…"
    She pushed away from him. "Do not say what you are about to say, Milord!"
    "Liza, I was punished for it and you were punished alongside me. I…"
    "Stop!" she snapped, tearing free of his arms. "What happened to our child was an accident, Conar McGregor. No one was punishing either of us. It could have happened had you been at Seadrift or not!"
    He had often admired the militant gleam in his lady-wife's eyes, and as he looked at her he knew she would always refuse to believe the death of their son was his fault. He also knew he would ever hold himself to blame, but made a silent vow to never bring up the subject again with Liza. He opened his arms.
    Liza sniffed disdainfully then went to him, slipping easily into his embrace. "No more such talk, do you hear?"
    "Aye, Milady."
    "What else?" she mumbled, holding her breath.
    "Brelan."
    Liza winced. "We are friends and nothing more."
    "To him you are more."
    "Do you trust me, Conar?"
    "Without reservation."
    Liza cocked one brow. "Is that why you fought with Bre?"
    "I said I trusted you. I did not say I was not jealous of you. You know gods-be-damned well I'm the most jealous man on the face of the earth." His arms tightened painfully around her. "And why do you think that might be, Madame?"
    She grinned. "The stables in Ciona might have a tad to do with it, I suppose."
    Now he arched a brow. "And