“You can be rather sharp, you know that?” Vhalla grinned faintly.

 Elecia shrugged. “I’m honest. I can’t help it if you take that harshly.”

 “I like it about you.”

 “You like something about me?” Elecia gasped dramatically. “And here I had been thinking we were enemies.”

 “I didn’t know what to think of you for a while.” Vhalla reclined, settling the covers over herself.

 “Well that much was mutual. I had no idea what Aldrik saw in you.”

 “Had, past tense,” Vhalla pointed out.

 “Past tense.” Elecia didn’t try to scramble away from her word choice. “I still think you’ve a long way to go, but you’re making strides.”

 “Thank you, truly.” It meant a lot coming from the Western woman.

 “Yes, well . . .” Elecia was clearly uncomfortable. “That wasn’t what had you sighing earlier.”

 “Are you sure we can trust this lord?”

 “Has he given you indication otherwise?” The question was serious when it could’ve been skeptical.

 “He hasn’t, but . . . how do we know he’s not a Knight of Jadar?” Vhalla knew better than to think the Knights of Jadar were gone just because she’d thwarted Major Schnurr. He had certainly been one of their leaders, but the organization had survived over a hundred years, and she suspected it would survive a lot longer.

 Elecia considered this for a long moment. “Even if he was, the Knights would be unlikely to make a move right now.”

 “Because of Aldrik?”

 “In part,” Elecia agreed with a nod. “If it’s between having one of Western blood or a Southerner sit on the Empire’s throne, I have no doubt which they’d choose. Even given their loathing of our family.” There was bite to the last remark. “Beyond that, their goal has always been the crystals. With the caverns opened, they sort of lost that race. I’m certain they’re in the middle of a crisis of purpose and, since my grandfather is smart, he’ll use it to his advantage to regain that loyalty.”

 “I don’t know if I’d want their loyalty.”

 “Bitterness is unbecoming, Lady Empress,” Elecia teased.

 Vhalla snorted.

 “So is that,” Elecia laughed. “You’d think you’ve never been to a finishing class in your life.” Vhalla rolled her eyes at the face Elecia made. “Now, I am tired; snuff the light and let me sleep.”

 “But of course, Lady Ci’Dan,” Vhalla proclaimed with dramatic flair, obliging the request.

 “Lady Ci’Dan, don’t you forget it,” Elecia murmured. “For I expect to be appointed the next Lady of the West for my service when this is all over.”

 “Deal,” Vhalla replied easily and honestly.

 For the next two nights, Vhalla and Elecia shared a bed. On the third, they were able to find an inn, and Vhalla relished being in Aldrik’s arms once more. Elecia wasn’t a bad bedmate; in fact, Vhalla was beginning to enjoy the woman’s company more with each passing day.

 But nothing was better than the feeling of Aldrik’s breath on her skin, the way he moved, the way he whispered in the dark. Vhalla relished it all. It was one of the many things that reaffirmed she had made the right decision—to stay with the man she loved—in spite of the chaos in the world around her.

 It was easier with each passing day to stand gracefully at his side as he introduced them as a couple. Grabbing her stomach to try to quell the butterflies was still a regular occurrence, but it happened less and less. It was all practice for a new life, she reminded herself, one that would begin in Norin.

 “It’s been a pleasure to have you this evening,” a lord praised them after dinner one night over drinks. Aldrik had reluctantly accepted a glass out of pure etiquette. Though he hadn’t touched it after the obligatory sip with the lord’s toast to them, his eyes did dart to the glass from time to time in silent debate.

 “I knew the day you came out to the Southern Court that you were destined for greatness. I think we all did.”

 She smiled as he lied through his teeth. “Is that so?”

 “You had such natural grace and elegance, born of the Empire. Only fitting for you to be with our Emperor over that Northern girl.”

 “I stand by what I said then. This Empire would have been lucky to have someone like Princess Sehra as its Empress.” Vhalla was not going to tolerate any animosity between the regions. An Empire of peace; she wouldn’t lose sight of that dream as long as she drew breath.

 “Of course.” The lord clearly was not equipped with the eloquence to reply to Vhalla’s praise of Aldrik’s former betrothed.

 Aldrik brought his lips together in a small smile, enjoying the lord’s struggle at Vhalla’s words. As Vhalla became more adept at navigating nobility, she began to play small games alongside Aldrik. She didn’t think she’d quite reached puppet master status, but she certainly was improving.

 “I hear you have plans to wed in Norin. Quite exciting.”

 “I am looking forward to making our love official.” Aldrik squeezed Vhalla’s hand lightly.

 Vhalla gave him a small smile. He’d invited her to speak any objections she had to wedding in Norin, but Vhalla had never said a word. Everything had been in such turmoil before their escape from the East that she hadn’t had much time to think on it. By the time she could, it had already cemented in her mind as fact.

 “The other lords and ladies I keep in correspondence with are also surprised that you will marry before reclaiming your throne.”

 Aldrik obliged the lord, answering his unspoken question. “When I return South, it is to reclaim the home of my forefathers and present my bride with her future home. The Empire Solaris is strong still. Why wait to lay the foundation of the future?”

 “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” The lord seemed satisfied with the answer, and Vhalla wondered how much of the ways of nobility, ways that had led Aldrik to deciding to wed in Norin, she didn’t understand. “While I realize that the Imperial chapel in the capital may be the preferred place for the ceremony, I am looking forward to a Western wedding. Perhaps a new tradition?” he mused aloud. “Our late princess had her wedding to the Emperor in Norin as well.”

 Vhalla stole a look at Aldrik. His face betrayed no change in emotion, but she could almost physically feel him withdraw at the mention of his late mother. Vhalla put her glass down on the table, hardly touched out of solidarity for her betrothed.

 “Please excuse me.” She stood. “I am weary from the day’s ride.”

 “My lady, allow me to escort you.” Aldrik was on his feet as well, along with the Western lord.

 “I’m fine, Aldrik, just tired. Please enjoy the company,” she encouraged.

 Vhalla knew he needed to mingle with all the lords. Their Empire depended, in no small part, on their unquestioning loyalty and resources. She also knew, justly or not, that some things were more easily shared between men, and she trusted Aldrik to take advantage of the opportunity.