I looked away. “On our own. No matter what happens. I’ve got it.”

“Here, take this with you.” He pulled a tiny dagger from his belt. The three-inch blade was honed to an edge so thin it was barely thicker than a blade of grass.

“Why are you giving me this? I have my own daggers and my spear. This looks like it could break with a wrong look sent its way.” Ash tucked the tiny blade into its miniscule, equally thin, sheath. With deft fingers he tugged at my vest, unbuckling it quickly. I slapped his hands away. “Hey—”

“Relax, I’m not Coal. You want to keep this blade tucked away. They will frisk you when you get there. Probably take all the weapons you just named. But a small blade like this could go unnoticed. And it won’t break. I forged it, so I should know.”

I blinked at him stupidly, and stopped fighting him. “You made this knife?”

He slipped his hand inside my vest and worked the knife between the layers of leather where they overlapped. His fingers brushed against the sensitive skin near my belly button and I bit my lip to keep from moving. Toward or away from his hands, I didn’t know which I even wanted. Confusion was not something I liked, yet with Ash . . . that seemed to be the state of things.

“Yes. Knowing how to make and repair your own weapons is important. I’ll show you when you get back. If you want.” He stepped back and gave me a nod, and I let out a sigh of relief.

Pleased that we seemed to be back on friendly terms, I buckled my vest and tried not to think about his hands touching the skin of my belly. “My own private lessons so no one will see me make a mistake?”

Ash grinned, a quick flash of his lips and white teeth before it was gone. “Agreed. But don’t tell Belladonna, she’ll want lessons for herself just to spite us both.”

As if speaking her name had beckoned her, Belladonna swept into the room dressed in full regalia. Her gown trailed behind her, a deep golden hue that offset her skin and dark hair and made her gray eyes stand out. The cut of it was not her usual skintight version of a current fashion human dress, which surprised me. With the empire waist and long flowing skirts that swirled around her feet she looked every inch the princess. Until she opened her mouth.

“Larkspur, I hate this gown. It’s ridiculously old fashioned. And the color . . . disgusting.” She flicked her fingers against the material while blowing out a rather unladylike snort. “Look at this, it doesn’t even lift my breasts, how will I be noticed?”

Good grief, how did I answer that?

Ash stepped out so he could see her. “You aren’t there to be noticed, Princess. You’re there to act as an ambassador and ferret out information for your king. Nothing more. Did you get your brief on the two supplicants for the Deep’s throne?”

The transformation that overcame her was impressive. She took a deep breath forcing her chest up and out, then slid her hands down her body to rest at her waist cinching the material tight, showing off her curves. “Ash, I didn’t see you there. Why don’t you come with me? I don’t think my father will mind. And I would love to have you again.” Her words held a double meaning that she couldn’t possibly know I understood and they grated down my spine. She took two steps swaying toward him and I just couldn’t stand there.

I sidestepped so I completely blocked her. “Leave him alone, Belladonna.”

Her eyebrows rose as she tried to move around me. “And why would you care what I do with Ash?”

I went with her, jaw twitching. What I wanted to say was that she’d used him and hurt him enough. But I didn’t. “He’s in charge here. Show him respect.”

She shrugged. “He’s not in charge. And neither are you.”

Behind her, our father stepped into the Traveling room. “That is correct. I am in charge.”

Belladonna whirled and swept into a low curtsey, holding it for three breaths before speaking. “Father, I beg you, do not send me with Larkspur. She is inexperienced and I would feel far safer if Ash were at my side.”

Damn, it was impressive how fast she could shift directions. One second she was her mother’s child, conniving and demanding. The next, humble and begging as if she were truly thinking only of our father’s wishes.

Father’s eyes flicked from Belladonna to me and then to Ash. They stayed on Ash for more than a few seconds, as if truly weighing Belladonna’s request.

Heart in my throat, I waited, hoping he had enough sense to . . . no in a weird way, my sister was right. I was inexperienced and she probably would be safer with Ash. Though he would not be safe with her. Father shook his head.

“No. Larkspur will be your bodyguard. That is final.” He beckoned me and I stepped forward. “My daughter’s safety will be your first priority, Ender, and you will help her find the information we need to understand if the civil war is dangerous to our family or not. Do not interfere, do not take part in anything other than your duties as an Ender.”

I gave him a stiff bow from my waist. “As you say, my king.”

He gave me a raised eyebrow and then turned to Belladonna. “You will not put yourself into a situation where your Ender’s life could be on the line. When it comes to safety, Larkspur’s word will be law between the two of you and you will obey her. Do not interfere with the political goings-on and do not take part in anything other than your duties as an ambassador.”

Belladonna curtseyed again, and her voice was tight. “As you say, my king.”