“You’re telling me to be sensible?”

“I am. Do you find me repugnant? Is that the problem? I realize I’m no great beauty.” Am I fishing for another compliment from a half-naked Taurian in the middle of the night when I should be focusing on my plan? Absolutely.

The Taurian gives me a narrow-eyed stare. “What’s your name again?”

“Sparrow. What’s yours?”

“Hawk. A name I’ve earned. You haven’t earned yours yet. What’s your real name?”

Hawk. Of course it’s Hawk. It’s a strong, respectable, dangerous guild name. I should have guessed. I keep my chin lifted despite his dismissive tone. “Why do you need my real name?”

A hint of a smile graces his strange mouth. “If we’re marrying, I need to know what to call you.”

My heart flutters in my chest. Oh. I mentally race, trying to think of a good fake name and come up blank. “Aspeth,” I blurt out, and then because it’s not common and he might have heard of me, I add, “Like the holder’s daughter. No relation, though! And everyone shortens the name. You can, too.”

Oh, by the goddess, now I’m babbling to cover up my lie.

He gives me a strange look. “What am I supposed to shorten Aspeth to? Ass?”

“Rude. You can call me…Peth.” Gods, even that sounds ridiculous. I tense, waiting for him to call me out. Waiting for him to point out that I also happen to be thirty and unmarried, just like the holder’s daughter.

But all he says is “You’re sure?” When I nod, he leans in. “If you leave me high and dry on the Conquest Moon after all of this maneuvering, I’m going to hunt you down, Aspeth.”

“No one is going to be dry at all on the Conquest Moon,” I say merrily. “No dryness. Just conquesting! Or whatever it is you’d like to do.”

Strangely enough, his nostrils flare and he gives me another long, searching look. “Gods help us both. I think I’m an idiot for saying yes.”

I smile, pleased that I’ve gotten my way. I’m sure the moon-induced rut will be distracting, but easily handled. What’s important is that I now have a teacher and a place as an apprentice. Nothing’s going to stop me now.

SEVEN ASPETH

I’m trying not to be smug as he guides me out of his bedroom. Getting him to agree to let me into the fledgling ranks was surprisingly easy. A hand in marriage? A virtue I don’t plan on using? Child’s play.

I’ll think about the implications of it later. For now, I just feel as if I can breathe for the first time since arriving here in Vastwarren. I’m going to join the guild. I’m not going to be sent home. Everything will be fine.

“You’re both determined to do this?” Hawk asks as I rejoin Gwenna in the hall. “Can’t talk you out of it?”

“Not me,” I say automatically, and try not to stare too hard at Gwenna. If she abandons me at this point, I won’t blame her, but…I’ll also miss her terribly. Having her at my side is the only thing that’s kept me from having a nervous breakdown as one obstacle after another presented itself.

“I’m staying at Sparrow’s side,” my former maid says, lifting her chin. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I beam at her. “We’re going to have so much fun—”

“This is not about fun,” the Taurian snarls at me. “If you’re expecting ‘fun’ out of this, then you might as well turn around right now and march out that door.”

Gwenna and I exchange grimaces at his sour attitude. Sheesh.

“This is a dangerous job, and that’s why apprenticing is so important. If you aren’t going to take this seriously—” He pauses, glancing around. “Where in the five hells did Lark go?”

“Got pukey,” Gwenna explains. “She headed off to find the latrine.”

Hawk sighs heavily, then rubs a hand down his long brown snout. I want to stare at him in fascination, because I’ve never spent so much time around a Taurian before, but it seems rude. I guess I can stare at him after we get married.

Goodness. We’re going to be married. The thought strikes me as absurd and bizarre at the same time. If he finds out I’m a holder’s heir, he’s going to send me back to my father—or blackmail me for funds or artifacts I don’t have. It’s imperative he never know.

“Fine. Whatever,” Hawk says after a long moment. “I’ll show you to your quarters. Follow me before I change my mind.”

And then he gives me a long, meaningful look.

“Wonderful,” I chirp. “Thank you.”

We pause and I gaze at my surroundings, thrilled. I’ve tried to picture what the nests—the dorms the fledglings live in until they get official guild housing of their own—are like. It’s dark and I don’t have my spectacles, but the place seems cozy enough. There are creaky wooden floors under my feet, and there’s a draft coming in from somewhere. A large fireplace at the entrance has a pair of chairs near it, and on the landing of the stairs there’s a painting that I can’t make out. Upstairs, I imagine, is where the students stay. Overall, it’s a bit ramshackle, but that just adds to the charm.

Gwenna tugs on the cart in the doorway. Before she can drag it in farther, the Taurian lets out a heavy sigh, moves toward her, and grabs the entire thing, holding it against his chest as if it weighs nothing at all. It’s a display of strength more than it is of politeness, and I’m unnerved as he heads up the stairs.

Gwenna is, too. She shoots me a suspicious look as I grab Squeaker’s carrier and tuck it under my arm. “Change his mind about what? What’s he talking about?”

“He’s going to be my chaperone,” I whisper brightly. “So I can join the guild apprentice ranks.”

“And how did you manage that?”

“I’ll explain later.”

The look she gives me is openly skeptical, but I keep smiling. I follow behind the Taurian as he stomps up the stairs, his hooves making sharp, echoing raps on the wood. He moves to the door farthest down the narrow hall and throws it open, revealing a small room with a single bed, a ragged rug on the floor, and a trunk at the foot of the bed. “Quarters” is all he says.

“Delightful,” I say, and I mean it. This is the authentic experience and I’m going to savor every moment. “Looks as if we’re sharing, Gwenna.”

“For tonight you are,” he agrees, turning to look at me over his shoulder. “Tomorrow you’re with me. We’ll find a priest in the morning.”

“What?” Gwenna squawks.

I wave a hand at her, indicating she needs to be quiet. I’ll explain everything when we’re alone.

Hawk moves toward the trunk, and I can’t help but notice that for his big, bulky form, he moves with a fascinating grace. Are all Taurians built like him, or is he unique in his breadth? I eye his thick flanks and the pants nearly falling down his arse behind his tail….

Gwenna tugs on my wet sleeve, glaring at me furiously.

“Later,” I mouth to her, giving a little shake of my head. “This is quite lovely, thank you, Hawk.”

“ ‘Instructor Hawk’ to all fledglings,” he corrects, and throws the trunk open, then points at the contents. “Uniforms. You’ll wear these every day while you’re in this house. Sash goes over the right shoulder. It’s a plain white sash for a fledgling. Be up at eight for breakfast and team registration. After that, we’ll go straight into training.” Before I can say anything, he turns and heads straight for me, pinning me with his gaze. “You—be up earlier.”