She’d been spoiled. For the last few weeks, he’d been at her beck and call. She only had to say his name and there he was, ready to help. Now she wanted to talk to him, and he was out of reach.

He is a Marshal. I’ve been taking his availability for granted.

Maud missed him. It ate at her.

Maybe he got bored.

It was a definite possibility. She could just be a brief infatuation. He rescued her, got to be the hero, and it was exciting with the inn under siege, and now, regular life returned and the novelty faded. Maybe she was a travel romance.

The recording of Arland facing his mother replayed in her head. No. He loved her.

The only way to have constant access to Arland was to marry him. That’s what marriage was, at the core—the exclusive right to spend as much time with someone you loved as they were willing to give.

Her screen chimed, announcing someone at the front door. Her heart beat faster. She touched the screen and there he was. She shot out of the chair as if she’d found a scorpion in it and dashed through the room to the door. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

“Open.”

The door slid aside. Arland looked at her. To the casual observer, he would have looked fine, but she’d spent too much time studying his face. She saw distance in his eyes and it chilled her. Something had happened. She frantically cycled through the possibilities. Had she embarrassed the House? Did she somehow hurt his feelings? Did he read her message and it pissed him off?

“My mother requests your presence at the picnic in the groom’s honor, my lady.”

“I’m honored, my lord. Weapons?”

“Not permitted.”

“Allow me a moment to check on my daughter.”

“No need. Lady Helen and the rest of the children have been taken to the lakeshore.”

And Lady Helen had failed to check in with her. They would have to have a talk tonight.

He stepped aside, letting her pass. They walked side by side.

“Lord Kurr?” she asked.

“He lives. Barely.”

“I apologize if I caused any offense.”

“You didn’t. Your conduct was exemplary. You exhibited remarkable self-control, my lady. House Krahr is fortunate to have the benefit of your service.”

Nope, he hadn’t read her message.

They entered a long breezeway leading to a tower which, in turn, allowed passage to another small mesa rising on their left. According to her harbinger, the picnic was being held there. Even without the harbinger, the clumps of vampires spread across the green lawn would’ve been a dead giveaway. Once they reached the mesa, they would be in public and she’d have to kiss any chance at a private conversation goodbye. She had to clear this up now.

“Is something the matter, my lord?”

“Everything is well,” he said.

Okay, that was all she was willing to tolerate. “Then why are you impersonating an icicle?”

He glared at her. She matched his stare. She was reasonably sure they were being watched from the mesa, but she didn’t care.

The look in his eyes got to her and she slipped into English despite herself. “Did a cat get your tongue?”

His face iced over. “No. Lions didn’t injure my mouth. You and I have a complex relationship, my lady. These complications notwithstanding, in public you must conduct yourself in accordance with your place in the chain of command.”

“Are you pulling rank?”

“Yes.”

She laughed and walked off. They were almost to the tower.

“My lady.” Unmistakable command suffused his voice.

“You should read your messages, Lord Marshal.”

She made it another three steps before he snarled, “Maud!”

Maud pivoted on her foot. “Is something the matter?”

He bore down on her. “You resigned. Why?”

“What do you mean, why?” It was painfully obvious. Maybe he really did have second thoughts.

“You should have at least given me the courtesy of telling me face to face,” his voice was quiet and icy.

“I tried but you were busy. The message was my only option.”

“When?” he asked, his eyes dark.

“I don’t follow.”

They definitely had an audience now. Their voices didn’t carry that far, but just about everyone on the lawn was looking their way.

He forced the words out. “When are you leaving?”

It stabbed at her. “Do you want me to leave?”

“Do you think this is funny? Because I fail to see the humor. I’ve given you a place in House Krahr. You’re throwing it in my face. That can mean only one thing. You’re leaving.”

He thought that she resigned because she wanted to quit him and his House. He’d honored her with trust and a position within the House and he thought she was throwing it back in his face.

Oh, you idiot.

Arland kept going. “You almost married Betin Cagnat on Karhari. You were in negotiations, with the contracts being drawn, and you haven’t even entertained my proposal.”

I wonder when he learned that tidbit.

“I told you that I’m content to await your decision. But if you have feelings for another from your past, it is only fair that you tell me.”

Oh. He thought she was having second thoughts because last night she’d talked to Renouard. Maud almost laughed.

“Being a knight of Krahr would have allowed you time to make your decision. It was the best option available under the circumstances.”

“Is that why you offered it to me?” she asked, keeping her voice mild.

“No. I offered it to you because you were in a dangerous situation without any authority to intervene. But after you accepted it, it felt like the best solution.”

He was trying to keep her close any way he could. He must’ve been worried she would leave and offering her an in-House position was his way to ensure she stayed.

Behind Arland, Knight Ruin stepped out of the doors, a tablet in his hands. He saw Arland and broke into a run, heading toward them.

“Now you’re leaving,” Arland ground out. “I just want to know why. What is it about me you find lacking? What is it?”

“Are you done?” she asked.

“Lord Arland!” Knight Ruin called out. “I have an urgent message from Lord Soren.”

“I deserve an answer. Surely, you can give me that much.”

“The Writ of Command, Part Seven.”

He frowned. “Prohibition of fraternization between knights separated by more than three ranks? What does that have to do with anything?”

She stepped closer to him, raised her hand, and gently popped him on the forehead.

The young knight reached them and thrust a tablet at Arland.

Maud turned around and walked away.

“Maud, wait!”

The change in his tone told her he finally got it.

She sped up. He couldn’t outright run after her. He would look like an idiot to the audience below.

“Get this infernal tablet out of my face! Maud, wait!”

The moment she entered the tower, she sprinted down the stairs. As soon as he untangled himself from Knight Ruin, he would chase her to inquire about the exact nature of fraternization she had in mind, and she didn’t want to have this conversation in the tower. She wanted to have it in her quarters or his, after they had been swept clear of Nuan Cee’s bugs. She needed to get down to that lawn as fast as she could.

Maud emerged from the tower into the sunshine. Directly in front of her, a stone path led to a wide-open lawn ringed by trees. She strode forward to where stone benches and small tables had been placed to accommodate small groups, offering a clear view of the lawn. Many of the benches were occupied; vampires in full armor lounged, snacked on finger foods presented on large platters, and drank refreshments. The air smelled of charred meat, fresh bread, and honey. A banner marked each sitting area, announcing the allegiance of its occupants. Most of the seats directly in front of her, spread out in a crescent, were taken by House Krahr, the line of black and red pennants familiar and almost welcoming. House Kozor curved to the right, its colors red and green. House Serak lined the left side. Their banners, blue and yellow, waved in the breeze.

On the lawn, two teams, one red and black, the other comprised of both Kozor and Serak, clashed with practice weapons. Krim, Maud realized, the Holy Anocracy’s favorite sport. One team had drawn a circle roughly fifty feet wide. In the middle of the circle a fifteen-foot pillar about eighteen inches across supported a white flag. The defenders positioned themselves around the pillar, guarding it, while the attackers tried to break through and grab the flag. It wasn’t a complicated game, but what it lacked in complexity, it more than made up for in sheer brutality. This time, Krahr defended. Everyone wore full armor, carried practice weapons, and sported headbands equipped with sensors. The headbands analyzed input from the armor and flashed when the wearer sustained enough damage to die.

“Lady Maud!” a familiar voice called.

Well, look at that. She managed not to cringe. “My Lady Ilemina?”

The Preceptor of House Krahr sat at a table to her right. The Lord Consort loomed in the chair next to her like an immovable mountain of vampire knighthood.

“Join us,” Lady Ilemina said. It didn’t sound like a request.