Kiara waited beside Halden's restrained form, wind tugging at the edges of her coat.
The two spies approached cautiously and bowed again.
Deyric spoke first. "Miss Kiara, we were ordered only to observe and report to the Crown Prince. No harm was intended."
"Crown Prince?" Kiara's brow furrowed slightly.
Political implications unfolded quickly in her mind.
"Explain."
"You were placed under surveillance as you were outside Imperial City without an escort," Deyric answered truthfully. "That is all."
Kiara studied their faces carefully. Their fear was real.
"What have you seen?"
"Nothing," Torric answered immediately. "We swear."
She allowed a moment of silence to stretch between them.
Wind brushed through the grass. Somewhere distant, a hawk cried.
Finally, she spoke.
"You may report everything that you have seen."
Both men blinked in surprise.
"And add this," she continued. "House Dawn attempted to assassinate me. I will return the favor one hundredfold."
