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o secure the succession for a more manageable candidate."
Kade shrugged. "It's caused you no more trouble than it has me."
"Then what is your solution, dear?"
"I'll sign an agreement formally giving up my claim on the throne and any Fontainon family properties. Have your counselors draw it up." She gestured eloquently at the King. "And I'll even stop 'threatening' Roland."
Ravenna frowned. "And what do you want in return?"
Kade was deliberately silent until Ravenna looked up at her. "The freedom of my old home," the sorceress said softly.
"That's impossible," Roland said, his voice low and harsh.
"Oh, it's hardly that," Kade told him.
Ravenna still looked thoughtful. "And what has brought this change of heart about?"
"I have my own reasons." Kade smiled thinly. "You don't have anything I want enough to make me tell you what they are."
"But why, dear?"
"Because I want it."
Ravenna lifted her brows. "That isn't much of a reason."
Kade made her a half-bow. "It's always been enough for you."
Have to give her that one, Thomas thought. Good shot.
Ravenna's hands paused on the fabric and she stared at Kade. Her voice hardened. "You don't know enough to judge me, Katherine."
Kade tilted her head. "Don't I? You've always thought yourself fit to judge me. It's only fair."
"You are young, you know nothing, and life is not fair."
"I know enough, and life is what you make it."
There was a pause.
Ravenna said quietly, "If you are to stay here, there are proprieties that must be observed..."
"No conditions. I haven't made any." Kade smiled. "It's only fair."
The whole idea was so unlikely it took Thomas a few moments to realize that Ravenna was seriously considering it. In a low voice, he said to her, "It isn't worth it, my lady. It's too dangerous."
"Very likely," Kade agreed, idly twisting a lock of her pale hair.
Thomas knelt beside Ravenna's