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alternative to Andrew, no other way for Robert to free Lusara and be left with something other than civil war. Still, it seemed appropriate that the bastard son of a rebel and a sorcerer should go on to rule a country known the world over for its vengeful stance against sorcerers.
    Straightening, he signed the trium over his forehead and shoulders, then turned and led John from the chapel. He paused long enough to close the doors behind him, then looked up to find Payne waiting for him, leaning a shoulder against the wall, arms folded. Patient.
    Long ago, before any of this madness, Everard Payne, Earl of Cannockburke, had been one of Robert’s closest friends. Though living something of the life of a dilettante, his heart had never wavered from the cause of freedom, though his methods might sometimes have been a little unconventional. Even so, despite the years, Payne was certain Aiden could still surprise him.
    ‘You never say,’ Payne said after a moment, his tone conversational, ‘what it is that’s really worrying you, deep down. After all this time, I can’t help wondering why. More to the point, I wonder why it is you won’t confide in us – or is it perhaps that you can’t?’
    ‘Deep down?’ Aiden heard John move away a little to give them some privacy. He took a deep breath and laced his fingers together. He had always known that one day he would be expected to answer these questions. Nevertheless, he said, ‘You know my concerns. I have voiced them often enough.’
    One side of Payne’s mouth curved up in an ironic smile and he gestured vaguely. ‘Ah, but you see, that’s my point. You only ever voice the concerns we would expect you to have. I am no priest, nor am I a sorcerer – and even I can see you’re hiding something. I simply want to know why you don’t trust us enough – surely by now we have proved ourselves worthy?’
    A deep weariness rippled through Aiden, making him sigh. He turned to the diamond-paned window beside the earl and rested his hands against the rough stone embrasure. ‘You should know that trust is not the issue here. Serin’s blood, Payne, you know what Robert’s like.’
    ‘So you admit you are hiding something.’ Payne tilted his head back to study the ceiling a moment. ‘And Robert won’t let you talk about it? Am I right? Damn him! He’s been doing this too long on his own. He’s forgotten how to treat his friends, how to work with us. Doesn’t he know—’
    Aiden watched the younger man quickly fold up his anger with sharpedged discipline. There was once a time when such discipline would have been beyond him.
    Payne returned to the point. ‘You’re worried about Robert, and him fighting Nash. You think Robert won’t survive? That he can’t beat Nash?’
    Aiden swallowed hard. These were the shadows of his nightmares, not things to be spoken aloud, even to this man. He straightened up and began to turn away, but Payne’s hand shot out to stop him. Aiden ground out a reply. ‘I can’t know what will happen between them. Not even Robert knows. How can you ask me?’
    Payne raised his voice a little and called, ‘Father John?’
    ‘Yes, my lord?’
    ‘Robert – is he or is he not supposed to be the most powerful sorcerer ever born?’
    John remained where he was. ‘Aye, he is. At least, as far as we know.’
    ‘And Andrew’s mother?’ Payne’s gaze bored into Aiden then.
    ‘She is very powerful, my lord. Robert believes as powerful as he. But—’
    ‘But?’
    ‘Her powers are different to the rest of us. Her skills are in different areas.’
    ‘But you’d say they’d … complement Robert’s? Would that be a fair judgment?’
    ‘Yes, my lord.’
    Payne dropped his hand, but his gaze didn’t falter. ‘You know all this, Bishop. So what are you hiding? If trust is not the issue, then what is it? Is it not in all our interests for us to know? Will Robert mind so much if you tell me?’
    Aiden almost laughed at the silliness of