“Come in, come in.” Perzha waved her hand. “Don’t just stand at the gate.”

The other member of their little party didn’t require a further invitation. He trotted over to the gate and wagged his tail.

٭I am Khary. I am a Sceltie. I am Jillian’s special friend.٭

“Oh, my.” Perzha patted her chest. “How delightful. Welcome, Lord Khary.”

“Should have warned her,” Lucivar muttered.

“It’s been a long time since one of your people came to our village, but I remember when Lord Ladvarian used to accompany the Queen when she came for a visit. You know he was the Lady’s special friend.”

Khary seemed stunned into momentary silence.

“Last thing, witchling,” Lucivar said quietly. “Perzha wears a Red Jewel and comes from one of the oldest aristo Rihlander families in Askavi. And she and the Queen of Ebon Askavi were good friends.”

The rag lady Queen wore a Red Jewel? Was aristo? Had been a friend of Witch?

Baffled and dazzled, Jillian followed the adults to a table on a terrace overlooking a garden.

“Do you know anything about plants?” Perzha asked. “I so enjoy spending a little time in my garden, but I’m afraid I never get to all the weeding.” She held out a hand and smiled. “I’m Perzha, in case Prince Yaslana forgot to tell you. And you must be Jillian. Such a pretty girl. Do you like fish? We have a lot of fish here.”

٭Do I like fish?٭ Khary asked Jillian. ٭Do fish like Scelties?٭

“I’ve heard that you should stick a fork in the pancakes and not eat any that sprout tentacles and run away,” Lucivar said dryly.

Perzha laughed. “Did Prince Sadi tell you the rest?”

“There’s more?”

Instead of replying, Perzha looked at Jillian. “Little Weeble is a small village and everyone looks out for one another, but I’d still like you to have an escort at least for the first few days.” She looked at Khary. “An additional escort.”

“Yes, Lady.”

“Did anyone mention that I have an allergy to sunlight?”

Jillian didn’t dare look at Lucivar. “Yes, Lady.”

“And you know what that means?”

“I think so, Lady.”

“Good.” Perzha studied Lucivar. “Are you staying for breakfast?”

“No.”

She shook her head. “I wouldn’t have thought you and your brother would be so squeamish.”

“We’re not squeamish. We just don’t like having our food run away after it’s on the plate.”

“Well, Prince Sadi certainly wasn’t going to eat the little creature, so what difference did it make as long as it got out of the way?” Perzha patted her chest. “Besides, Carleton brought him a fresh plate of food after the incident.”

None of the Rihlanders Jillian knew would have spoken to Yaslana or Sadi that way.

٭You sure about this, witchling?٭ Lucivar asked on a psychic thread.

٭Oh, yes.٭

He grunted. “If either of you has a problem, let me know. Otherwise . . .”

“Go,” Perzha said. It was gently said, but there was no doubt that it was a dismissal. “They’ll both be fine.”

Lucivar slanted a glance at Khary, then at Perzha. “Will you?”

Perzha smiled at him—and Lucivar Yaslana walked away.

“This is one of the hardest things he’s ever done,” Perzha said. “You know that, don’t you?”

Jillian blinked away sentimental tears. “I know.”

“Good. Then let’s get you both settled in your room so that you can begin.”

Far enough away from home, but not too far. She and Khary would learn new things and have adventures—and she would remember every day that Lucivar had given her the chance to have those things, just as he’d been giving her chances to learn and grow since the day he brought her and Nurian to Ebon Rih.

“Yes,” Jillian said, smiling. “We’re ready to begin.” She looked at her special friend. ٭Are you ready?٭

٭Yes,٭ Khary replied. ٭There are many interesting smells here, and many humans we can help.٭

Swallowing a laugh, Jillian followed Perzha into the house.