The Chronicles Of Ixia (Books 1-6). Maria V. Snyder

still believed, they kept quiet and worshipped in secret.

      Fisk shrugged. “I know something happens to the Magicians during the test because my father’s seen it. He used to work at the Keep.”

      A hardness settled on Fisk’s face, so I didn’t ask any more questions. But I wondered about the creatures. Irys had disguised herself as a hawk mistress in Ixia. She wore the proper uniform to blend in with the Ixian. Perhaps she also worked with the Commander’s hawks.

      “It’s good luck to drink from the fountain,” Fisk said. Then he ran to his friends who played in the water, opening their mouths to catch the spray.

      After a moment’s hesitation, I joined them. The water tasted fresh as if laced with strong minerals like an elixir of life. I drank deeply. I could use a little good luck.

      When the children finished playing, Fisk led me to another fountain. This one was carved from rare white jade. Fifteen horses frozen in motion circled a large spout of water.

      Although Fisk didn’t complain, I could see that the heat had finally worn him out. Still, when I offered to carry my purchases back to the Keep, all the children refused, saying they would take them as promised.

      On the way back, I sensed Topaz’s worry the moment before I saw Cahil rounding the corner. My parade of children stepped to the side of the road as Cahil advanced, stopping Topaz in front of us.

      “Yelena, where have you been?” he demanded.

      I glared at him. “Shopping. Why? Do you have another surprise test for me?”

      He ignored my question, staring instead at my companions. The children shrank against the wall, trying to make themselves as small as possible.

      “The market has been closed for hours. What have you been doing?” he asked.

      “None of your business.”

      His gaze snapped to me. “Yes, it is. This is your first trip into the Citadel alone. You could have been robbed. You could have gotten lost. When you didn’t come back, I thought the worst.” Cahil’s eyes slid back to the children.

      “I can take care of myself.” I glanced at Fisk. “Lead on,” I said.

      Fisk nodded and started down the street. The other children and I followed him.

      Cahil snorted and dismounted. Taking Topaz’s reins, he walked beside me. But he couldn’t remain quiet.

      “Your choice of escorts will lead to trouble,” he said. “Every time you go into the Citadel, they’ll descend on you like parasites, sucking you dry.” Loathing filled his face.

      “Another lesson?” I asked, not hiding my sarcasm.

      “Just trying to help.” Anger tightened his voice.

      “You can stop. Stick to what you know, Cahil. If it doesn’t involve horses, then I don’t need your assistance.”

      He let his breath out in a long huff. From the corner of my eye, I saw him swallow his temper. Impressive.

      “You’re still mad at me,” he said.

      “Why would I be?”

      “For not believing you about being a spy.”

      When I didn’t say anything, he continued, “For what happened with First Magician. I know it must have been awful—”

      “Awful!” Stopping in the middle of the street, I rounded on Cahil. “What do you know? Has she done it to you?”

      “No.”

      “Then you have no idea what you’re talking about. Imagine being helpless and stripped bare. Your thoughts and feelings exposed to a ruthless intimate scrutiny.”

      His eyes widened in shock. “But she said you fought her off. That she couldn’t fully read you.”

      I shuddered at the thought of Roze going deeper, understanding why Cahil had claimed that her interrogation left some people with mental damage.

      “It’s worse than being raped, Cahil. I know. I’ve suffered both.”

      He gaped. “Is that why?”

      “What? Go ahead. Ask.” I wasn’t about to spare him to make him feel better.

      “Why you stayed in your room those first three days?”

      I nodded. “Irys told me I was sulking, but I couldn’t stand the thought of anyone even looking at me.”

      Topaz put his head over my shoulder. I rubbed my cheek on his soft face. My anger at Cahil had blocked out the horse’s thoughts. Now I opened my mind to him.

      Lavender Lady safe. Topaz’s pleasure filled my mind. Apple?

      I smiled. Later.

      Cahil watched us with a strange expression on his face. “You only smile at the horses.”

      I couldn’t tell if he was jealous or sad.

      “What Roze … I … did to you. Is that why you keep everyone at arm’s length?” Cahil asked.

      “Not entirely. And not everyone.”

      “Who else do you smile at?”

      “Irys.”

      He nodded as if he had expected that answer. “Anyone else?”

      My fingers touched the bump my chest made by the butterfly pendant under my shirt. Valek would get more from me than a smile. But I said, “My friends in the north.”

      “The ones who taught you to fight?”

      “Yes.”

      “How about the person who gave you that necklace?”

      I jerked my hand away. “How did you know about my necklace?” I demanded.

      “It fell out while you were unconscious.”

      I frowned, remembering Cahil had carried me to my room after Roze’s interrogation.

      “Guess I shouldn’t have reminded you about that,” he said. “But I was right about it being a gift, wasn’t I?”

      “It’s none of your business. Cahil, you’re acting like we’re friends. We’re not friends.”

      The children waited for us at an intersection. I started toward them.

      Cahil caught up. We walked on in silence. When we reached the Keep, I took my packages from the children and paid them each two coppers.

      I grinned at Fisk, and then glanced at Cahil, feeling self-conscious about my smiles.

      “See you on the next market day,” I said to Fisk. “And tell your friends they’ll each get an extra copper if they show up clean.”

      He waved. I watched the group of children disappear; they probably knew all the back alleys and secret ways inside the Citadel. That knowledge might be useful one day. I would have to ask Fisk to show me.

      Having grown up in the Citadel, Cahil probably knew the shortcuts, too, but I wouldn’t ask him. Not when he had such a dour expression.

      “What now?” I asked.

      He sighed. “Why do you always have to make things so difficult?”

      “You started this. Remember? Not me.”

      He shook his head. “Why don’t we start over? We’ve been at odds from the start. What can I do to receive one of your rare smiles?”

      “Why do you want one? If you’re hoping that we’ll become friends and I’ll confide in you all the military secrets of Ixia, don’t bother.”

      “No. That’s not what I want. I want things to be different between us.”

      “Different