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she felt oddly vulnerable and even lonely without Talon s presence.
In spite of the healer s salve, and Lyris and Bria who gently applied it to the scarlet welts several times a
day, the trauma to her skin took a long time to heal. The welts finally began to dissolve into bruises and
darkened into a deep purple shade that was tinged with brown and green on the edges. When she was
finally able to roll over on her back, she had to keep her knees bent so the sore area was elevated off the
mattress.
The morning Talon returned, Shasta was sitting up in bed, trying to concentrate on the book in her lap.
Talon was still wrapped in bandages, though the wound had closed itself enough so as to be unlikely to
reopen again. When the healer had discovered how carelessly Talon allowed it to reopen only days after
it had begun to heal, he refused to let her out of bed until he was sure such a thing could not be repeated.
Shasta pursed her lips. So you re back.
Talon nodded. The healer says I can return to most of my duties, though I m not allowed to lift a sword
for at least another quarter-moon.
Her voice was quiet, almost timid, and Shasta found her emotions swinging between delight and fury.
She had missed her guardian more than she cared to admit, but she was still deeply angry.
Well, don t just stand there. Come in and sit. She closed the book in her lap and swung her legs
tentatively over the side of the bed, wincing a little at the pressure it placed on her bruises. I ve been
confined to this bed for a half-moon. When I m dressed I want to go for a walk in the gardens to stretch
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my legs.
Talon drew closer. How do you feel?
Better. She stood carefully, and limped a bit as she crossed the room to her wardrobe. In light of
recent events, I think I should set some new rules. She pulled out a simple blue gown, one that she could
easily put on without help. Lyris and Bria would be returning from their morning lessons soon, but she did
not want to wait. Shasta draped the gown over one arm and turned to face Talon. Whether you are a
woman or not, I will still desire my privacy while tending to personal matters.
Talon inclined her head. Of course, Princess.
And from now on you will not speak to me unless spoken to. You may still be my guardian, but I no
longer consider you a friend. Friends, she emphasized, don t lie to one another. Stubbornly, she
ignored the expression of hurt that flitted across Talon s face. You will conduct yourself as my servant
and nothing more.
I understand. The deep tones were perfectly neutral.
And one other thing. You will address me in the future as Princess or Highness. I have allowed
lapses in the past, but it is inappropriate for us to be on more familiar terms.
As you wish, Your Highness.
Shasta gave Talon a sharp look, but could detect no sign of sarcasm in the olive features. Then prepare
the privy chamber so I may dress.
Well, that s done, she mused as she entered the privy a moment later. The hurt in her guardian s eyes
brought a twinge of guilt, but she shrugged those feelings away.Talon isn t my friend, and she never was.
She stayed with me because of Lyris and Bria and lied to me the entire time, made a fool out of me. But
that s fine. She removed her robe and nightdress and struggled into the blue day gown. The dress
fastened in the front, and she buttoned it slowly and straightened the bodice.She doesn t have to like me.
Talon is a servant in my father s house and I was an idiot to think she would ever be anything more. With
that thought buzzing angrily in her head, she picked up a brush and ran it vigorously through her
waist-length hair. The famous amber eyes of Rane stared back at her resolutely from the looking glass.
*
Talon was true to her word and no longer spoke to Shasta at all unless the Princess said something that
required a response. The playful, flirtatious little war between them was replaced by cool tension. Talon
was now careful to walk several steps behind her, to bow and avoid eye contact as formally as any
common guard, though occasionally Shasta would look up and catch her guardian watching her with
deep sadness in her black eyes. Talon always looked away immediately, but it was obvious that she was
trying to make Shasta feel guilty. It wasn t going to work.
One evening, while Erinda bustled around the chamber, straightening up before leaving for the night,
Shasta caught several looks that passed between Talon and her chambermaid. Erinda s sympathetic
glances made her irrationally angry, and from her chair by the window she snapped at the maid.
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That s all for tonight, Erinda. You may go.
Erinda curtsied and cast one more longing look at Talon before leaving the room.
You know, Shasta said to her guardian, being stuck in bed all day for such a long time gave me a lot
of time to think. And something has been bothering me. Talon s head came up but she did not respond.
Erinda. She knows about you, doesn t she?
Talon s reply was soft. Yes.
Yes. Yes, of course she does, how could she not? And still, you and she& Shasta trailed off, not
wanting to say the words aloud, but Talon seemed to understand what she meant.
Yes.
But you re both women.
Yes. Her calm responses were beginning to infuriate Shasta.
But that s just& How would that even work? Never mind, I don t want to know. Shasta screwed up
her nose in distaste. And you, you actually like it? Being with her, that way?
Her guardian s face twitched almost imperceptibly, and she nodded. Yes.
Shasta shook her head, revolted. You disgust me. Talon did not meet her eyes. Ugh. You know what
I ought to do, I ought to tell my father. After a few moments of silence Shasta said a little indignantly,
Well, aren t you going to try and talk me out of it?
For the first time in days, Talon actually looked Shasta in the eye. No.
He d probably have you executed, you know.
Talon glanced away. You are the future Queen of Ithyria, Your Highness. You have to do what your
heart tells you is right.
Shasta tightened her lips rebelliously. Well, I haven t made up my mind quite yet. I m still so angry with
you. I can t decide if I m just mad or if I really hate you.
Hate me? Talon s whisper sounded choked.
The Princess winced slightly at the pain in her guardian s voice. Yes, well, like I said, I haven t decided
yet. You lied to me, and not just a little white lie. That I could forgive, but this is something huge. I
thought you and I were close. You were the closest thing I had to a brother since, she blinked back
tears, since Daric was killed. I actually believed you cared about me, then I find out that the only reason
you stayed was for the sake of your sisters, and it was never about me at all. Talon s eyes widened.
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