THE CHAIN-MAIL HAD BEEN turned into a high-necked tunic with full-length sleeves that finished with a loop that fitted snug around my middle fingers, and for my legs fitted pants. I had a minor concern though. 'Ormbel, how exactly do I get these off?'Focused on holding pieces of the crimson leather against my upper arm, Ormbel looked at me, his hazel eyes wide and vacant. Then he processed my question.'There's a seam down the back. The mail is charmed to open when you tug on it from the right angle, so it won't open in battle. I'll show you once I'm done.'He wasn't a bad looking guy, with a slim build and shoulder length brown hair, but the sense of self-importance that he exuded wasn't so attractive. I watched as he held a piece of leather around my upper arm, and then melded it into the mail.'Wow, cool! What'll that do?' It looked just like plated armour and the edges of the leather smoothed into the mail. My elbows stayed as bare mail so I had more than sufficient movement a

THE MEETING CONTINUED LATE INTO the evening. When Elena and Yakov bade the group goodnight, she led the way to her quarters. Yakov took a seat at the low table. 'What do we still have to plan and do?'A sharp twinge of pain made Elena close her eyes for a moment and rub a thumb firmly over her temple to dispel the headache. Opening her eyes, she found Yakov regarding her with a tender expression and he stood, embracing her. 'Not long, Ellie, then this craziness will be over. For good.'She allowed him to guide her to a seat and watched as he made a fresh pot of tea. The fragrant leaf swirled in the cup of steaming water, and the first crisp, sweet taste had the tension in her back and neck melting away.'Thank you,' she smiled gratefully at him. 'Now, left to organize is any capable, gifted metal workers. We need them here tomorrow to finish the armour for the Cavalry and Guard. Oh, and Rashid will likely want members of the Guard fetched from various areas.'Yakov began noting the

AFTER KASSIE'S CLEVER DEMONSTRATION OF how not to fall on your ass, my technique improved dramatically. That's not to say the sudden dismounts stopped, but the eating dirt part did. Now with a tiny burst of energy, I executed somersaults with ease and landed feet first each time. After another round of my happy dance at a successful landing, Belsesus burst my bubble. 'Won't that alert Jenviet?'I paused mid-dance. 'What?'That sparked an intense conversation. Sian and Chaieth rode off to check with Elena. While we waited Belsesus took long easy runs, back and forth, challenging my slowly improving balance. It took fierce concentration as I focused on his muscles beneath my thighs, mind tense for the slightest change. The sound of approaching hooves broke my focus.Chaieth and Sian had returned and Leseach sat behind her, dressed in chain-mail.'We have a solution,' Sian declared when she slipped off Chaieth's back, Leseach following suit. 'Elena gave us a lorus crystal, it'll chime

KASSIE YAWNED. IT HAD BEEN a long week and as exciting as the march had been, she needed more sleep.'Bed?' Rumal murmured to her.'Mmm, yes.''Food first?'That took a moment of consideration. Then Kassie shook her head. 'No. Bed.'Rumal chuckled, and they said their goodbyes before making their way down the turret and back to their quarters. The sheets were still warm when they climbed in. Kassie sighed in pleasure, snuggling close to Rumal. He wrapped his arms around her so that her face was pressed to his chest. She pulled an arm up, chin on hand, while inhaling his scent. 'Mmmmm.'The rumble of laughter he gave vibrated beneath her.'I thought you were sleepy?' The rich tones of his voice caused a delicious shiver down her spine.'Still am.' She twisted her head so to wink at him. 'Just enjoying the moment.'He was such a handsome man. Strong cheekbones emphasized the slant of those molten gold eyes and contrasted beautifully with his dark mocha skin. Those eyes, though,

AUDREY WAITED ON THE OTHER side of the door with Nnelg.'Your Highness.' The dragon bowed, the blue of his scales shimmered in the afternoon light streaming through a window. I stopped and looked at Nnelg, then knelt so I sat at his level. The dragon's dark eyes widened. 'Majesty?''Nnelg.' I swallowed hard, forcing back the bile that threatened. 'You know we're going away for a bit. I need you to watch Lucky and Audi, okay?'He nodded earnestly, his long tail swishing around him. 'Of course, Your Highness.'I smiled stiffly. 'Good. Now. In the possibility that we're unable to return, for-sometime, would you look after them? I'm going to ask Ada as well, but I know how well you do this.Nnelg nodded again. 'Yes, absolutely.''Good.' I stood. 'Now, let's go see Ada.'We ran down the closest turret, all the way to the bottom floor. I paused at the bottom to give Audi a hug and ruffled the fur around her ears.'How are you doing little miss?' I crooned.The dog automatically turn