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“You’ll notice there is a shield around the edge of the tray,” Reyhana said “It won’t help anything if the tray is dropped, but it does prevent a wobble frolass off the tray”

“Did you think of that?” Rikoma asked

“No, Vae did”

The uessed that had been Reyhana’s intention Warlord Princes were lethal predators, and they were used to being feared Being given an opportunity to laugh with a woman was a moment both appreciated and prized

Reyhana went back into the house Hikaeda poured the ale and passed the glasses For a few ardens and spoke little

Then Cassidy walked out of the house Like Reyhana, she wore a long, light summer dress, but her hair had been put up in a simple knot at the back of her head

She had just reached Ranon when

“Cassie!”

Cassie? Cassie!

Cassidy crossed her eyes and ht up with her

Hat, Cassie!

“No,” Cassidy said “If I put a hat on now, the hair will fall down, and it’s too hot today to have it down”

Gray, tell her!

Co up on Cassidy’s left side, Gray nodded to the men He wore a plain white shirt and black trousers—and his Purple Dusk pendant and ring

There was nothing challenging about aspecial about the clothes, but Ranon felt a curious tension in the other men

Gray gave the men a conspiratorial smile as he looked each of them in the eyes That smile included a mischievous hen his eyes moved to Hikaeda Then he called in a parasol, opened it, and held it over Cassidy

When she did nothing but look up at it, Gray said politely, “Are you going to take the parasol, or should I hold it for you?”

“You’re spending too much time with soetting too good at this”

“Do you want to hit me?” Gray asked

“I’ about it”

Cassidy and Gray sh heat to take everyone by surprise Including Ranon

“Gentlemen,” Gray said, “if you would join us, the meal is ready”

He raised his right hand, an escort’s gesture Cassidy placed her left hand over his in automatic response—like a Queen would respond to her First Escort or Consortor her husband

Cassidy and Gray walked back to the house Ranon started to follow, then realized the others weren’t co with him

Hikaeda stared at nothing “We were friends,” he said softly “Before he was taken and hurt so badly, ere friends I never thoughtIt’s good to see hiood to see Jared Blaed”

Hikaeda headed for the house, followed by Rikoered

“So?” Ranon asked

Ferall shook his head “I want this for e, for my own Province”