That evening, Kaira and Shal sat at the king’s table in the small dining hall, and Kaira was delighted when Lance entered and was seated beside her. “You look much better,” he told her as she smiled at him in greeting.

“Thank you for taking care of me again.”

“I am glad I was able to be of service to you.” He helped himself to some meat and offered her some.

“I was thinking earlier that it’s starting to become a habit—you coming to my aid.”

He smiled back.

Kaira thought of Bruler again and of the things he said. Why would he tell her they have been waiting for her for a long time?

“You look preoccupied,” Lance stated. “What are you thinking about?”

Kaira looked down at h...

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