Salix darted wide looks over her shoulder as they left the thicket. But Lina misinterpreted her silence.

"Are you still pouting over the warg-eater nonsense? I was only jesting." Lina hooked her elbow affectionally into Salix's. "You know I love you."

Salix gave up looking for the phantom warg at her back and turned to Lina. "What you love is to torture me."

"I want the best for you. You're more like a sister to me." Lina's voice dropped low. "You know, I love you even more than I do Briar."

Strange how the words both pleased and discomforted Salix. "You don't have to say such—"

"When I'm High Lady, I'll ensure you're made Linguist Royal, no matter the gainsayers. I'll pay a beautiful man handsomely to wed you and brave your warg-eater cunny. You'll want for nothing, my sweet Lixie."

She gave a thin smile. "Thank you, cousin."

Lina hugged her, kissing the side of Salix's temple. "I trust you with my life, you know."

Her heart stuttered, swelling unexpectedly. She nodded, her chest relaxing. "And I you."

Lina nodded. "There's no one more loyal than you." They emerged into view to see the others beginning to embark.

The regal black warg stood at his post once again—at the head of the fleet. Not at her back where she still sensed the other...

Her stomach lurched with creeping dread. But she shoved the feeling aside. It had to be the marula fruit. She would never touch that stuff again!

Bowen hailed them with an impatient crook of his fingers. "We were about to leave you two hens to the orken!"

Lina's pace slowed, her fingers digging painfully into Salix's arm.

Salix glanced a question at her cousin.

All humor had fled Lina's face. "You won't let me make a fool of myself, will you, Lixie?" she whispered. "This venture is paramount to the success of my future. There are those that wish me to fail, you know."

Regarding Lina's profile, a small ache bloomed in her chest. Lina carried a great weight as the eldest daughter of her late father who'd been Unlce Kaspian's official heir. Now that privilege and burden fell on Lina's shoulders.

Uncle Kaspian hadn't yet officially named her his heir. Yet. He'd specified no one, in fact. Regardless, if he died without naming his heir, the scepter of rule would pass inevitably to Lina as Heir Apparent.

"You'll do fine, Lina. Don't let your confidence fail you now." Salix gave her cousin's arm a tug and quickened the pace lest her father make good on his threat to abandon them.

"I know I'm being tested," said Lina, sighing. "Great Uncle Kaspian is waiting to see what I'll make of myself out here."

"Yes," said Salix. "Exactly. The weight of familial expectation is a great mantle to bear."

Lina shot Salix a side glance. "You're being tested, too, don't forget."

Salix nodded. This adventure would decide the rest of her life, it was true. "I know that well." If she failed to meet the expectations imposed on her, the dusty scribal chambers were ready to receive her like a tomb.

"You were chosen not for your merits but because of who your father is," Lina murmured, her words piercing. "Of who your aunt is."

Salix's heart slipped lower in its chamber. "I...I suppose..." A sting flared in her gut.

"But, no matter, you'll be Linguist Royal so long as I'm High Lady. I vow it."

"Thank you," Salix murmured, a hollow feeling gnawing in her gut.

"Are you drunk?" asked Lina suddenly. "You're hobbling."

"My boots hurt," Salix muttered, squinting at the offending ground that seemed to be moving and tripping her up on purpose. Sensing the weight of someone's gaze, she dragged her eyes up.

Rath's tawny eyes bored across the distance, transfixing her. His gaze shot to the thicket they'd emerged from and then back to her again. He seemed to be bristling.

Magma whelmed in her chest, her breathing halted. The buzzing swooped under her skin, firing the hairs on her nape and arms so that they stood alert.

All the wargs were in place again. The wargrex broke eye contact, his nose lifting to sniff the air currents, his ears erect.

She realized Lina was talking, but the words were muffled by the strong buzz in her brain. She blinked hard and caught the tail end of Lina's diatribe.

"We're being tested," Lina repeated, her tone furtive. "I for my mettle as future High Lady. And you..."

Salix felt almost bereft as Rath turned to glare across the river to the opposite bank. His mane ruffled like a great, dark storm cloud.

"Well...how shall I put this delicately, cousin?" Lina continued, mulling her words carefully as they reached the lead boat.

"Get lost, did you?" said Ren, interrupting them with a lofty smirk.

Salix's cheeks burned as she tore her gaze away from Rath.

Lina snorted. "You won't get rid of me that easily, goblin brain."

Ren folded his arms, glaring down at them from the other side of the gunnel. "What a shame, you'd make such a good orken bride, Majesty."

At some distance away, Baron Pursey emerged from behind a giant anthill, mopping his brow with a napkin. A sight which relieved Salix. At least their protracted two minutes hadn't lasted quite as long as the baron's.

Lina ignored Ren's jibe, affixing her attention to Salix again. "Where was I?"

Salix rubbed her temples, willing the footbridge to stop blurring. "You were going make a delicate observation, I believe." The conversation was bouncing around as chaotically as her vision.

"Ahh, yes!" Lina hugged her arm, whispering. "You're a scholar at heart, my dear. We both know you trip over your owntongue when you're faced with a crowd. But I'm going to help you." Thankfully she closed her mouth as the captain approached.

Gut roiling, Salix allowed the captain to hand her into the boat, grateful Lina's voice hadn't carried to the others.

The captain turned to help Lina before heading off to take his place in the penultimate vessel directly behind them.

You were made for the pen, not the sword. Aunt Mitra's words still stung. The sword represented action. Adventure. A strong voice people would listen to. All the things Salix yearned for.

Maybe Lina could help her to grow bolder. Maybe with her cousin's help the next time she faced Rath she wouldn't do so with an impotent tongue.

Her brow clammy, she slumped onto the bench beside her brother. Lina squeezed herself between Ren and Salix a moment later. Briar was seated on the opposite bench, her face relaxed.

At last, the oars crashed into the water and the prefect's voice bellowed commands. The boat jerked into action, Salix and the others on her bench bending forward under the force.

Ren and Briar leaned to look over the gunnel as the boat resumed its swift speed.

Over the excitement, Lina threaded her fingers with Salix's, whispering, "In truth, I don't know what Uncle Bo was thinking to bring you along. You're too good and gentle for the Outland. Are you sure you want to be Linguist Royal, my dear?"

Another sting.

Salix clenched her jaws. "I...Uncle Kaspian thinks I've a talent for languages."

"No doubt, Lixie. But the post demands some skill for public speaking, too."

"I..." Salix clamped her lips and swallowed.

Lina shook her head, a pitying look in her eyes. "You can barely speak to the captain without your cheeks turning puce. Not to mention Sir Rolf."

On cue, a swift heat inflamed her face. "Well, now you've mentioned him..."

"As to that matter" —Lina snatched her hat off and fanned her dewy brow— "I really did try to extol your virtues to Rolfie..."

Oh, it's Rolfie now, is it?

"...but, in the end, he was besotted with me." Her shoulder nudged Salix's, her smile apologetic. "What could I do? He was so...persuasive. I'd hate you to think I stole him from you."

A memory flashed to mind.

Suddenly the air smelled of sultry honeysuckle, and Sir Rolf's voice floated along the balmy night air. His rich, husky tones caressed Salix's ear, beckoning her closer to peep through the purple drapes of lush bougainvillea. To see what lay on the other side...

Salix snapped her eyes shut, pushing a lock of hair out of her hot face. She didn't care to revisit that scene. "I know you didn't steal him, cousin," she replied tightly.

"Exactly! You know what men are like? Faithless creatures, all of them." Lina continued, unaware of the pleasure-soaked moans and panting blaring in the bright pink ears of Salix's vibrant memory.

No, Salix didn't know what men were like. She had a father she hardly saw and a brother who refused to speak about anything except sodding goblins and orken.

They were getting off track. Salix shoved the unwelcome flashback to the dross pile of all her unwanted thoughts. "So...you're saying you don't think I deserve to be Linguist Royal?" she asked, careful to keep her voice steady.

She'd been so heady with pride when Great Uncle Kaspian had conferred to her the post of Linguist Royal, official translator of East Gate. On condition this first assignment was a success. She'd not considered the other nameless qualified candidates who'd been overlooked. She'd not considered the nepotism that'd underpinned this great privilege.

Gods, she was so naive!

A cold knowing seeped into her bowels. Something like shame. You're not good enough. There was a wobble in her voice as she met Lina's eyes. "You doubt me?"

Lina's face fell. "My dear cousin, how could you think that?" The genuine affront Lina evinced mollified her somewhat. "For a linguist," Lina whispered, "you are determined to misinterpret my meaning. I'm merely expressing concern for your well-being."

Salix's brows collided. "I didn't mean any offense—"

"That's all right." Lina gave Salix's knuckles a pat. "I forgive you. Again." A deep sigh and an eye roll followed. "But, for the love of Maeda, try not to offend our hosts, Lixie. Remember, your behavior ultimately reflects on me."

Salix turned forward, her mind reeling. A knot had formed in her belly and it wouldn't go away.

Flanking them, the galloping wargs dominated the Outland.

Beneath the hull, the breakneck current and the mighty oars propelled them like a hurtling arrow. They'd be in Esk by tomorrow morning at this pace.

Beside her, Lina expelled a heavy sigh. "I regret never joining you and Great Uncle Kas in the Wargish lessons."

Salix glanced at her, her brow hiking up on one side. "Oh?"

"Yes." Lina cupped her hand to Salix's ear. "And I'll tell you a secret." She waited for a heartbeat and then said, "I feel it in my bones—I'm the next Rowan Thorne...Thorne-something. Whatever her name was."

Rowan Thorneblood. The legendary human wargrix of West Gate who'd married a powerful wargrex.

A shiver raced up Salix's back. She glanced over to Rath again, her stomach clenching. A pinch formed between her eyes. Was it possible? Another human-warg marriage?

Of late, a new rumor had emerged out of North Gate. Of another human woman—a young prefect—who'd married herself a powerful wargrex. A Rathbone heir, now exiled for Treason.

Salix considered her cousin's claim, a dubious crease forming on her brow. It was obvious Lina didn't understand the gravity of sacred warg mating bonds. To a warg, the act of coupling was a soul-deep covenant, not just a convenient means to scratch an itch. Humans could marry at will and dally indiscriminately. Not so for wargs. The bond was an unpredictable act of fate, not human intervention. A warg could no more change the color of his fur than the nature of the mate bond.

Which was why Rath was such a thrilling enigma. His reputation delineated a distinct human behavior. Promiscuity was not a natural warg trait.

"Do you think," Lina murmured, "these wargs make good lovers?"

Salix gasped. Despite the oars and chatter of the men, the question rang out like a clarion. "Lina!"

Ren stopped mid-sentence. He and Briar turned to look at Lina. "I'm sure you won't waste time finding out," he said.

Lina stuck her tongue out at Ren and went on, as though he hadn't interrupted her, "I'm so curious to see these wargs in human form."

Salix nodded, just as eager for the same. Wargs were always depicted in literature with human bodies and wolf heads.

"He's a wargrex, too," Lina decided, eyeing the giant warg up front, his pelt and mane dark as pitch. Behind him galloped the lanky, dun-colored female with no mane to speak of. "Look how big he is." Lina was silent for a moment. "Why are wargrexes so large compared to the other males, do you think?"

Salix chewed her lip. "I think it has to do with being able to draw on their pack's strength. Perhaps Hekki herself endows them thus so as to better protect their pack." But that was only a theory.

Lina mulled that over with pursed lips. Finally, she nodded. "I wish all men knew how clever you are, Lixie—superficial beasts, men. They only care about beauty, more's the pity."

Ren gave a humorless bark of laughter and shook his head.

Salix blinked, unsure how to respond to such a backhanded compliment. But that was Lina—brutally honest. With her lips quirking, she answered with a simple, amused, "Thank you, I think."

Lina's voice softened almost inaudibly. "What would I do without you, Lixie?"

"Eat spiced swan in verjuice and drink ice-wine as usual," Salix teased.

"Yes, but I'd be far less disposed to smile whilst doing so," her cousin rejoined, lifting a shoulder. "And to prove how much I adore you, I'm going to teach you how to command attention and win male hearts."

"The blind leading the willfully blind," Ren muttered.

"No one asked you." Lina elbowed him, the sound of his lungs deflating turned her smile smug. "What do you say, Lixie?"

Salix grinned, intrigued. This had merit—to be instructed by a proficient public speaker like Lina.

"I'll teach you how to bring a man to heel. How to make him hang on your every word."

Salix sucked in a heady breath. Through the layers of her chemise and kirtle, she found her pendant, her fingers pressing it over her heart like a stamp. "All right." she nodded, grinning.

Lina smirked, shooting a brief gaze beyond the stern. "You should put your glasses back on, they frame your eyes most becomingly and underscore your quick wit."

Ren shook his head. "No, they don't."

Lina gave a tight smile, ignoring him. "Those are your attributes, Lixie, one must play to one's strengths, after all."

"Ahh," Ren interjected, his smile sharp, "so that's why you're the palace pony—everyone's had a ride."

Lina shot him a venomous look. "Shut up."

Ren ignored Lina and pinned his sister with a grave look. "Men aren't complicated. Just speak plainly and don't play games if you wish to earn respect."

Lina snorted. "Says the goblin freak virgin himself."

Ren leaned forward, his voice low and harsh. "Just because I've fucked fewer men, doesn't mean I'm not qualified to know their minds."

Cheeks flaming, Salix peered over her shoulder, chewing a corner of her bottom lip.

"I speak of beauty," Lina quipped.

"You have none to speak of! My sister, on the other hand..."

Salix did her best to block out the verbal sparring that ensued. She let her eyes and mind wander, sighing. At home, she'd learned to do the same whenever her parents squabbled.

Her sigh froze in her throat before it was out, her gaze flaring wide. She was transfixed by a familiar gold gaze. The squabbling was instantly drowned out and the ever-present hum beneath her skin vibrated like a deep purr.

The captain's azure gaze was on her, too. But his seemed like a light breeze compared to the gale force of the wargrex's regard.

Heat soared into her face.

The air crackled with sudden tension. The birds halted their chatter.

Oblivious, Lina's sharp voice pierced the eerie disquiet. "I don't care what you think. Salix wants my help."

Ren snorted. His voice simmering with irony. "What could go wrong, eh?"

No sooner had Ren spoken those words than Rath bellowed a sudden awful bark.

The sound curdled the marrow deep in Salix's bones.

I'll post some graphics every few chapters ;) Keep a look out for them. Let me know what you think of the Salix and Rath graphic in the header.