are at the king’s solar. Something to eat, love?”
She frowned at him. “Are you changing the subject?”
He sighed, then turned toward her. He put his hands on her shoulders and bent his head to rest his forehead against hers. “I am,” he said quietly, “but not because I’m not interested. I would love nothing more than to find a grassy spot beneath the most beautiful fruit trees in Sgath and Eulasaid’s garden, stretch out with you, and in a perfectly safe place have you tell me everything you’ve seen and heard.” He lifted his head and looked down at her. “But here—”
“You don’t have to say anything else,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I understand completely.”
He stopped her before she pulled away. “I promise you an afternoon there, Sarah, when we’re finished with this. As many afternoons as you’ll gift me.”
“Are we going to spend them with one of your eight to-be-wooed princesses?”
“Seven, and they are to be merely admired, not wooed, so don’t make yourself too comfortable with your bargain,” he warned. He stopped himself just before he kissed her—which he wasn’t entirely certain wouldn’t have resulted with her fist in his gut—and settled for a chaste peck on the end of her nose—which only earned him a scowl she couldn’t seem to put any energy behind. “Food?”
“Please.”
He knocked on Uachdaran’s solar, then entered when commanded to do so. He greeted Uachdaran pleasantly, saw Sarah seated, then made himself page and served both king and ordinary gel the luncheon that had been brought. He finally sat down next to Sarah and looked at the king.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” he said seriously. “For all your many kindnesses. I’m sorry we’ve trespassed so long—”
“Don’t be daft, boy,” Uachdaran said gruffly. “Haven’t had such pleasant conversations since I saw your grandpappy a pair of fortnights ago.” He squinted at Ruith. “But don’t think I’m going to make a present of any of my spells.”
“I wouldn’t dream it.”
“And don’t think I won’t be checking your pockets for the same before you leave.”
Ruith laughed. “I would expect nothing less.”
“And so you don’t have to ask, I shot Mochriadhemiach of Neroche a stern look or two on his way out my gates.”
“Very wise.”
Uachdaran chewed on his words for a moment or two. “I don’t like to poke my nose in where it doesn’t belong,” he began slowly, “my having ground you to powder in my lists aside.” He looked at Ruith briefly. “I give asked-for advice even more rarely.”
“And if I were to ask you for advice, King Uachdaran?”
Uachdaran seemed to wrestle with something—either his good sense or his conscience. “Then I’ll say this—unwillingly.” He looked at Sarah quickly. “We discussed your route this morning, gel, whilst you were with my granddaughter. You might have an opinion on it.”
She shook her head. “If it leads to a spell, that’s all the opinion I have.”
Uachdaran conceded the point with a nod, then turned back to Ruith. “I’ll say this much: I don’t like those at An-uallach, and that doesn’t come from Queen Morag’s, er, her—”
“Commanding presence on the Council of Kings?” Ruith finished for him delicately.
Uachdaran laughed a bit. “Inherited your dam’s gilded tongue, did you? ’Tis for damned sure you didn’t get it from Sìle.”
“My mother would be flattered.”
“She was a lovely gel, and I took great pleasure in sending the odd spy off after your father for her sake, but that isn’t what concerns us here. I would advise you to tread lightly. I wouldn’t go at all, but I haven’t your burden. Be careful with our young miss. I wouldn’t leave her alone there.”
Ruith considered. “Queen Morag has six daughters, doesn’t she?”
Uachdaran shot him a look. “That, my boy, is only part of the problem. The only saving grace for you is that Morag cannot shapechange. ’Tis the only thing about her your grandfather approves of, I daresay.” He opened his mouth, then shut it just as quickly. “I’ll say no more. Just be careful.” He put his hands on his knees, then rose. “I know you’ve packed your own gear, but I have a few things to add—to make your journey a bit easier, if you will. I’ll go see to them.”
Ruith watched him go, then waited until the door was shut before he looked at Sarah. “Gifts and friendships where we didn’t expect them.”
She shivered. “Why do I have the feeling this may be the last outpost of both?”
You might be surprised, he wanted to say, but he forbore. In