"But Princess, I--" "Hush. And what, exactly, were you doing on the Plains of Ofrid?" Retoc's big face flushed red. Then, when he saw Volna was still smiling, he said: "When we met last, you mentioned that two men stood between you and the throne of Nadia." "Yes?" said Volna, mocking him, turning swiftly with the light behind her sending its bright beams through the white mourning garment and outlining the seductive curves of her body. "Jlomec is dead," Retoc said simply. Still smiling, Volna slapped the big man's face ringingly. Retoc stepped back, startled. "Fool!" Volna hissed. "I can call the guards. I can have you slain." "But I--" "I did not say I was not pleased. But don't lie to me. That isn't why you slew my brother. Well, man, is it?" Retoc bowed his head. Only in his eyes there was fury. "We'll make a strange pair, Volna, you and I," he said passionately. "Is it?" Retoc shook his head slowly. "You see? I knew it. I knew it was you when they told us Jlomec had been slain, and yet because I know you and know too how you are quick to passion, I told myself you had not done it consciously because I had suggested it to you. Fool. Can I trust such as you?" "Only Bontarc stands between you and empire. And Bontarc is a simple man." "As you are a passionate man." "Yet you need me, Volna. You need the strength of my arm--and my army. What a pair we'll make!" Volna stepped into the embrace of his big arms and allowed herself to be kissed. Retoc burned for her. He had said so. All men burned for her, she knew that. And, before she was finished, every man of Tarth would kneel at her feet and call her Queen. Retoc drew back finally, breathing hard. Volna had for him only a cool, mocking smile. * * * * * At last he said, "There are some who might say Retoc of Abaria killed the royal prince." "Dolt! Were you seen?" Retoc shrugged as if it were not important. "A band of wayfarers on the Ofridian Plain. They were so frightened, they fled at once. After I had wounded the white giant." Volna's eyes flashed suddenly. "There was someone else? You did not kill him?" "I tried to. He escaped, Princess." "Then you are more a fool than I thought." "But I--" "Begone! We can't be seen together too much. Take quarters in Nadia City, and let me know where you are. You understand?" "Yes, Princess." She allowed him to kiss her hand, then he withdrew. A few moments later, at her summons, the seneschal appeared. Subtly her face had changed. No longer was she the desiring and desirous princess. Instead, she was a grieving sister, whose brother's body still lay in state in the royal palace.