She tried to remember everything Kell said about home. Tried to remember if he told her they were unkind or if they were just as likely to shackle people. Nothing came. But she felt as if she was staring at the mouth of Aallotar again, playing games with her own safety.

Slowly, she lifted her gaze to the gates. She considered what he offered. Softly, she said, "I would not ask for you to take me into the palace, sir. That wouldn't be right."

Once, she asked for Kell to be sent for. She had been mocked and sneered at, told that she was not worth his time. That was in another world. She hoped this guard would at least understand she wasn't trying to cause trouble. "Tell him that I gave him a bead and a necklace once. I did not ask for them back. He will know who I am." At length, she lifted her head, tried to hold it high. "I will wait wherever you ask me to, even if only to be told to leave and not to come back. I will comply."