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“She’s like an itch that won’t go away.”

Tif squealed and a tiny pillow flew through the air and nailed Thane in the face. “Insult me again and I’ll put itching powder in your underwear. I know where to get some. Then you’ll really be itchy.”

“Do that and you’ll never see the light of day again.”

“You wouldn’t.”

Thane laughed and scooped up the pillow and tossed it back at her. It flattened her completely on the bed. “Of course, I wouldn’t. But you wouldn’t put itching powder in your High King’s underwear. Don’t take everything I say so seriously, Tifapine.”

With her red hat sideways and her curls pointing in all directions, she stood up with a grin. “Alright, maybe you’re just as attractive as the Black Mage. Even a smidge more. His eyes are a little creepy, and I prefer long hair.” She glanced at the mess. “What are we going to do about this? I’m much too small to clean this up on my own, and Pearl is on leave.”

“I’ll get guards and other maids in here to take care of it.” He looked at Layala who was now tying her hair back into a braid. “What are your plans today?”

“I was going to watch the new recruits, but Hel just reminded me I need to see the dressmaker in town for the ball.”

Thane rubbed between his eyebrows. “We have a dressmaker here.” Why did she insist on making his life difficult? Couldn’t she just stay here at the castle? She’d be safe watching the recruits.

“I know, but she doesn’t like me anymore, and I’m afraid she’ll make me an ugly dress.”

“You have dresses in your closet.”

“Thane, I’ve worn them all. I want something new. It’s a girl thing, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Then I’ll fire the dressmaker and get you a new one.”

“By today? I’ll take care of it. You can’t do everything.”

“You need to bring a guard. I’ll send Piper.” He pictured another assassin following her around and shook his head. “Never mind, I’ll come with you.”

“You’re supposed to make sure the new recruits are ready to graduate tomorrow and so is she. There are patrols all over the city and a ton of people around. No one will attack me in the open.”

He had the sneaking suspicion she might have other plans she didn’t want him to know about. “Laya.” She was like a wild mustang, incapable of being domesticated. He needed to make sure she was at least watched over by someone. If she was going out into the city where any number of people hated her, she couldn’t go alone. ThePalenor Scrollonly fueled their skepticism of her. Many of the people who once praised her now thought of her as a curse and the ones who wanted her dead before were now radical. He didn’t tell her how many times he had to have the guards clear a mob on the other side of the bridge, demanding that Layala be turned over for a trial. The Black Mage may be enemy number one, but Layala was runner-up.

“Don’t worry, Thane. I’ll be alright.” She smirked and winked at him. “I can hold my own, you know. They call me ‘The Defeater of Dragons’ now.

* * *

Defeater of dragons or not,Thane couldn’t leave her alone after the gods’ council sent an assassin. He hurried down the stairs and told the guards at the front door to fetch the maids and get her room cleaned. They didn’t question, just moved. Then he raced outside to find Piper; he’d have to take her place today.

The morning dew had burned off the grass and the ringing of metal on metal rang out in the otherwise peaceful air. Thane didn’t typically hang around too much for training. It made them nervous to have their king watching but today he needed to be there. They couldn’t be skittish pups when it came to a battle he’d oversee.

Piper knocked one of the recruits upside the helmet and then shook her head. “What is wrong with you? The grass isn’t slick, there is no mud; why are you falling down? You fall down, you’re dead. Graduation is tomorrow and the enemy will show no mercy.”

Fennan’s and Piper’s team looked to be in a skirmish and Leif waited on the side with his team behind, grinning like he was the champion of the world.

“You’re a sad lot, aren’t you?” Leif jeered.

Fennan smiled and jogged over to Thane’s side. “Despite Piper’s attitude, the majority are ready. Some are better than others.”

“That’s how it always goes. I’m better than you,” Thane said with an eyebrow lift and a smile.

Fennan shoved his shoulder. “You’re better than everyone. No need to rub it in.” After Tenebris’s guards had shaved off his hair, he’d let his shiny black curls grow back out and they now reached past his ears. He even wore braids with gold jewelry weaved in them.

“I know this is her break from guarding Laya and I’d do it myself, but I’m afraid if it’s me, it will land me in hot water, and Laya and I are already having problems.”

“What is the issue with you two lately? You went from barely being able to stop touching each other to hardly looking at each other.”

“It’s complicated.”