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Haydyn or into the Rada’s trust, he would always be my enemy. His father had taken my family and I had destroyed his in return. I was suspicious of his loyalty to Haydyn, when any normal man would have wanted vengeance for his father’s death.
    Haydyn did not share the suspicion. She sighed dreamily. “I don’t understand how you can be so mean to him. He’s so handsome and strong.” I laughed softly at Matai’s choked grunt behind us and Haydyn threw him a teasing look over her shoulder. He would take his revenge for that. We stopped at her suite and I checked the halways both ways. It was clear. I nodded at them and Haydyn grabbed Matai’s hand, disappearing into her suite with him. I stood guard.
    Protecting Haydyn as always. Protecting her secrets. Protecting her love for Lord Matai. I felt a twinge of unfamiliar longing at the sound of her and Matai’s intimate laughter beyond the door. Haydyn was akin to my younger sister, and yet she knew more of that mysterious intimacy between man and woman than I did. Al I ever wanted was to be a source of wisdom and support for Haydyn. How could I be when she was more worldly than I? I was nineteen and un-kissed, never mind…
    I ducked my head, feeling sily and adolescent. I did not seek love; I’d never wanted it… but romance… perhaps. I shook my head. I had no time for romance. I was far too busy facilitating Haydyn with hers.

Chapter Three
    “Mm,” I moaned, the sweet chocolate and fresh cream cake making my eyes flutter shut in rapture. “Cook, you’ve surpassed yourself,” I mumbled through my bites.
    Cook grinned broadly, roling out pastry as servants bustled around us in the massive kitchen. Valena giggled from her seat across from me, cream sticking to the corner of her mouth. “I swear, Rogan, the sweetest expression you ever have on your face is when you’re eating Cook’s desserts.” I raised an eyebrow teasingly at her cheekiness and reached across to swipe the last of the cakes from her plate.
    “Hey!” She leapt forward to grab it back from me but I held it out of her reach. If we had been standing face to face rather than sitting across a long table, she would have taken it easily. Valena may only be fourteen but she was extremely tal. At least five foot ten, a good three inches taler than me. “Oh don’t, Rogan.” Valena’s eyes widened as I pretended to pop the cake into my mouth. “Cook’s only made a few today.” Cook shook her head at my teasing. “I swear it could be eight years ago with the way you act, Miss Rogan.”
    “Wel I wouldn’t have to act that way if you made more than just a few cakes.” I shoved the cake back to Valena, my eyes greedily watching as she scoffed it down in seconds. “Oh, you didn’t even take time to enjoy that. Sacrilege. I should have eaten it.”
    “But it was mine.” Valena grinned through a mouthful. “You’re too honourable to have taken what was mine.” I laughed at the manipulative twinkle in her eye. “Where is she getting this from?” I asked Cook, shaking my head.
    Cook snorted. “You!”
    Valena burst out laughing and I was truly thankful she had finished eating the cake.
    “Valena!”
    We al spun around at the sound of Raj’s frantic voice, the kitchen coming to a standstil as he fel into the room. Faling into a room was something Raj never did and we al stared at him wide-eyed as he shrugged himself back into order. But my heart was thumping as Raj smoothed back his white blonde hair and straightened his waistcoat. “Valena,” he said more quietly now. “I need you.”
    Valena didn’t ask any questions. She jumped up from the table and made her way towards him. Raj shooed her in front of him and then turned his pale eyes on me.
    “You too, Rogan.”
    I shared a brief worried look with Cook and hurried after the healers.
    “What’s going on?” I asked.
    “I’ve been caled to the Princezna’s suite.”
    I forgot al ladylike manners and lifted my dress, running