"Lord Crimsonshadow was seen leaving your chambers this morning, Issa," Morgana comments as she spreads jam on a biscuit. "Busy, are we?"

I sit between Thara and Elaine at the small table in her room, smoothing out my soft green skirt. Letitia and Petra exchange glances behind their teacups. I force myself to keep a neutral expression while butterflies beat their wings inside my stomach. I didn't get much sleep last night, despite Lord Crimsonshadow keeping his word and remaining on the floor.

A footman hands me a cup of tea and I take a small sip, grateful for the honey and lemon. "It was ... unexpected," I reply. At least in that respect, I can be truthful.

Morgana raises an eyebrow but does not comment further. She takes a bite of her biscuit, then pops a sausage link into her mouth.

Damn. She's not taking the bait.

I bite my lip and take another sip of tea. What can I say that will pique her curiosity? My thoughts turn back to my conversation with Lord Crimsonshadow and what I told him about Lord Valen. I swallow, feeling my cheeks begin to burn as I say softly, "He offered to tie me up."

Thara squeaks, dropping her knife. It clatters onto the plate, gobs of strawberry preserves splattering across the yellow tablecloth like drops of blood.

"Oh!" Petra exclaims, visibly recoiling. Two spots of color appear on her high cheekbones and she drains her teacup. Elaine grimaces and Letitia glares.

Morgana's eyes lift from her plate. She stares right at me, those blue eyes boring deep into mine. "I didn't think you were into that, Issa." She rests one hand on the table, finger tracing a circle on the tablecloth.

There's interest in her gaze and I know I have to go further.

"Well, I'm not," I temporize as my thoughts frantically spin. "I declined, but I'm not exactly averse to trying ... Perhaps when we know each other better."

Morgana sighs longingly and pushes her plate across the table. She looks up at the ceiling, then over to me. "Lord Valen used to do that," she says, a dreamy expression crossing her face. "Goddess, the things that man could do ..."

"Could you not recall him from the border, Your Majesty?" Letitia asks, pitching her voice innocent and sweet. "We all know how happy he made you."

I could strangle the bitch. A footman places a plate in front of me and I tear a corner off a biscuit, imagining it to be Letitia's ear.

Morgana's moment of reflection is broken as her eyes narrow. "Lord Valen left me even though I asked him to stay. Devotion to his queen was not on his mind." She shoves another sausage link in her mouth.

I thought it was brave of Lord Valen to leave, putting the safety of Noctis ahead of a life of being Morgana's sex toy. But I dared not give voice to that opinion—then or now.

"I'm sure you'll find someone, Your Majesty," Elaine tells her timidly.

The queen grunts.

There's a knock at the door and Lord Breton enters. Morgana ignores him as he bows, clutching several papers in his hands. The private secretary waits for a beat, but when she doesn't acknowledge his presence he says, "Alpha Thorne has asked me to pass along a request, Your Majesty."

Morgana sighs and drains her teacup. A footman quickly refills it from a painted teapot. "What is it?"

The old wolf's jaw twitches. "That Lord Russell accompanies you back to Daroonga."

The betas' heads swing toward Lord Breton. Four mouths drop open in surprise.

"Indeed?" Morgana cocks her head toward me. "Why is that?"

I force myself to take a bite of dry biscuit, chewing mechanically and swallowing. Goddess only knows how much weight I've lost over the last few days.

"Lord Russell has expressed an interest in courting Lady Isabel," Lord Breton replies.

"Issa!" Morgana exclaims. "Why didn't you tell me this?"

For a moment, I see my old friend in her eyes—bright and eager, uncorrupted by power. I'm nearly broken, but then I remember how callously she used compulsion on me. I set the rest of the biscuit on the table and tuck my hands beneath the tablecloth where they can't see me grip my knees. "I ... didn't think he was serious."

"He is quite serious, my lady," Lord Breton intones blandly.

"Hm." Morgana fiddles with the tablecloth, chewing on her lower lip. I glance up at Lord Breton, but the old wolf ignores me. Alpha Thorne's plan hinges on convincing Morgana to agree to Lord Crimsonshadow's escort back to Daroonga. If they have a backup, I am unaware of it.

After what seems like an eternity, Morgana shrugs. "This best not interfere with your duties, Issa," she says at last.

My chin jerks up, fingers digging into my knees. It worked. By the goddess—it worked! "Of course not," I reply breathlessly. "You come first."

"That's right," Morgana states, lifting a hand and snapping her fingers at a footman. "I do."

------------

"What a monster," Lord Crimonshadow—or, I should say, Russell—notes as we stand on the Lunaris Station platform. The royal train idles nearby, spilling white clouds of heavy steam over the sides of the engine.

"Have you ever journeyed by train, my lord?" I ask, my hand tucked into the crook of his arm. The other ladies gather around Morgana as she stands with Lord Blackwood and Alpha Thorne, leaving us in the back. Royal servants and those from the Crimsonshadow estate load our luggage onto the train, scurrying back and forth like ants in the heat.

"Once," he admits. "When I was four. My grandfather had just died and my father was called upon to swear fealty to Queen Theola."

"So you've not left the estate since?"

Russell snorts wryly. "Oh, I have. By carriage or by foot, but never by train."

I blush. "I apologize, my lord. I didn't mean to imply you were unworldly."

"Russell," he reminds me gently.

I bite my lip and duck my head briefly. "Yes, Russell." Be careful, Issa, I tell myself as he smiles. You are merely a pawn in this game.

It's difficult to remember as the alpha's son pats my fingers. To an outside observer, we could easily be mistaken for any other courting couple. "No harm, Isabel. I look forward to the journey. There is a lot for me to learn." His eyes focus on Morgana, clinging to Lord Blackwood as if he will bolt. "Was there any discussion this morning I should know about?"

I hesitate. It's too late to back out now.

"Yes," I agree and drop my voice. Russell leans down, putting his ear close to my mouth. "I told her that you offered to tie me up."

"Oh?" His eyes sparkle as his eyebrows lift, breath tickling my ear.

Goddess, I groan. "We are not having relations, my lord. Please remember that."

His glee slides into contemplation. "Yes, of course, forgive me. Now, about this tying-up?"

If I didn't know any better, I would suspect he was out to seduce me, too. "Do you know what that involves? When the time comes?"

"No, but I'm certain I can find out."

"I would be quick about it, my lord," I tell him as the engine releases more steam into the air. It sweeps over us like a low-flying cloud, momentarily blinding me.

He grunts. As the cloud lifts, I notice Letitia watching us. She quickly turns away, reaching up to pat her hair. "Beware of her," I murmur.

"Who?"

"Letitia Rockspring. Of the four of them, she is the most cunning."

Russell reaches up and rubs his chin. "You don't like her."

I roll my eyes. "That is putting it lightly." As the son of an alpha, he has no idea what it's like to be looked down on.

"You are more knowledgeable than I," he admits. "So, is there anyone else at Daroonga I should watch myself around?"

I purse my lips thoughtfully. "None that I can think of." Other than those four ladies, the rest of the castle staff have left me unmolested.

A sharp blast from the train's whistle signals it is time for us to board. Alpha Thorne leaves Morgana's side as she and Lord Blackwood climb aboard. Russell lets go of my hand to embrace his father. "Safe travels, my son." The alpha turns to me and reaches for my hand. "We're counting on you, Lady Isabel," he says softly, almost too quiet for me to hear above the growing roar of the engine. "Pray to the goddess that you succeed." He kisses my fingers, his lips cold on my skin despite the heat.

My heart jumps in my chest at the warning. "Yes, Alpha."

Alpha Thorne nods and folds his arms, exchanging a look with his son before Russell claims my hand and walks us to the train. Taking a deep breath, I put one foot on the stairs and climb aboard.