“Very well.” He flung open the nearest door, much to the shock of the copyists at work within, and he ordered them out. They scrambled to obey him. Laren followed him into the chamber and he closed the door with a not-so-subtle slam. The chamber was thick with the scent of paper, ink still wet on the unfinished documents the copyists abandoned on their desks.

“Well?” he demanded.

Laren crossed her arms and directed a level gaze at him, which was not easy since he was tall and maintained a regal bearing. She saw very little of the young boy she had once known in him. The physical weight of the silver fillet he wore on his brow wasn’t heavy, but the responsibility it represented was great. It was borne by a man of strength. The power of his body was a given—she’d seen him at work with Arms Master Drent, she’d watched him subdue the most unruly of stallions. One just had to watch him moving down a corridor to know his strength.

The power of his intellect, coupled with his compassion, was what made him a good king. He wasn’t just a warrior king ready to ride into battle, he was a thoughtful king who put his people first.

It was this last that etched the lines into his forehead. She’d seen it with Queen Isen, how all the cares and responsibility of leading the realm wore on one.

“I know what day it is,” Laren said.

“And?”

“If you wish to talk about it, I am here. Otherwise, if you’ll forgive my being so blunt, your behavior is running your aides ragged and making everyone wonder what is causing their king’s unpredictable mood. It is worrisome to them that there might be something happening they’re unaware of.”

“Are you saying that I’m behaving erratically?”

“That would describe it, yes.” She smiled to take the sting out of her words. She would never have been able to speak so plainly to any other king, but their close relationship allowed it.

He did not explode, but rather relaxed. “I am not sure there is anything more to be said that has not been spoken of before. Today is the equinox, the day our people are to venture into Blackveil by my command.”

“The day Karigan is to enter Blackveil,” Laren said.

“Yes.” His gaze grew distant. “If I’d had the chance, if my position permitted, I would have pleaded with her not to accept the mission because of the danger, and because I couldn’t bear the thought of . . .”

“Of losing her?”

He nodded.

“I believe Karigan will come out of Blackveil just fine. I think it’s the forest itself that may not survive the encounter.”

Zachary actually smiled. “Yes, I doubt the forest will be the same after her visit.” Behind the smile, however, were the lines of worry she’d grown all too familiar with. “So you’d like me to gentle my pace, eh? Behave less ... erratically?”

“It would be helpful all around.”

“I’m sorry, Laren, but I have this burning need to move, to keep busy.”

“Then perhaps you should consider a diversion.”

“A diversion,” he murmured. “What did you have in mind? I do not wish to pull Drent from his teaching schedule.”

“I, uh, have something else in mind.” She took a deep breath, summoning the courage to make her suggestion. The idea had seemed to make sense when she first thought of it, but now she wasn’t so sure. Zachary was not frivolous in his affections, but it was not as if he hadn’t engaged in casual liaisons before.

“Well?” Zachary asked.

She cleared her throat. “It would be a way to engage your mind and body.” She hesitated. Wouldn’t Colin be the better one to address this? Another man? But she had started, and Zachary expected her to finish. There was no escape. She took a deep breath and the rest rushed out. “I’ve managed to procure a list of acceptable courtesans who—”

“Courtesans?” The storm once again clouded his features, and then evaporated. “Oh, Laren, I thought you understood.”

“What I understand is that you are a full-blooded man with needs. I thought perhaps such a diversion would help you forget—”

“Karigan?” He paused in front of a desk to study the document atop it. “We have discussed your concerns and I’m well aware of my duty to the realm. But to suggest that a courtesan would help me forget? All the courtesans in the world and their wiles could not alter what is in my heart, and partaking of their offerings would only dishonor my regard for her. For Karigan.”

“I’m sorry,” Laren replied. “I do not think I’ve underestimated your feelings, but you still have needs.”

“Everyone has needs, Laren, even you. Do you have a list of courtesans for yourself? Or, should I procure one for you? I understand there are some acceptable practitioners of the male gender.”

“What?”

“Exactly.” He flashed her a smile of triumph. “I do appreciate your concern for my well-being in the matter, and I think your suggestion of a diversion is a good one, just not the type you proposed.” He moved rapidly across the chamber, documents fluttering off desks in his wake. He flung open the door and called, “Cummings! Cancel the rest of my appointments this afternoon.”

It was only a couple hours later that Laren, on her way to Rider stables, observed Zachary riding out on a large, dappled stallion, one of his favorites. The horse was heavily muscled and a handful, but Zachary rode effortlessly, a born horse-man. She was pleased to see Lady Estora riding beside him on a fine-limbed bay hunter, and there was Lord-Governor Coutre, as well, and a few other courtiers. Weapons followed on their sleek black horses, along with members of the guard, the royal falconers, and servants. A king rarely ventured anywhere without a crowd, but she imagined that once they reached open ground out in the countryside, he would put that stallion through its paces and he would be free in his own thoughts, free to think of whom and what he wanted without interruption or any expectations placed upon him.