Alishan gave me no time to brood on Gemma's departure, clapping her hands and looking as though she were about to burst into song with joy. It was a strain to stay polite, but I knew that Gemma's life depended on it at least until Ashir was out of comms range.

Fortunately, she at least had the tact to know not to press me. Unlike her brother, she had a little empathy.

"I shall have my men take my luggage to our chambers," she said brightly, gesturing to the Kalpan mercenaries who'd remained behind. One of them hurried off to arrange things, though four more stayed close, along with her surviving Crosan bodyguard.

I looked at them, trying to think about practical matters. My mind kept drifting back to the yawning abyss of pain that was Gemma's absence, and if I was going to be any use to either her or my clan I needed to think about something, anything, else.

The mercenaries were expensive, and that was a weakness. The Perhar couldn't afford such a force for long, I knew, but then they wouldn't have to. With the added revenue from the skystalk, our combined clans would manage. We'd end up paying for the force that occupied our own island. There was another thought to burn angrily in my skull.

At least most of them were gone now. The Perhar couldn't afford to keep on enough of them for a full occupation force, so he'd left behind enough guards to discourage a casual attack on his sister. He trusted my love for Gemma to hold me back from anything else, and he was right. I couldn't risk her life.

Nor could I risk the lives of my clanmates trying to rescue her. My two duties held me prisoner, and it was tearing me apart. I could hardly think.

"Perhaps, my lady, you would like an escort to your new chambers," the Eldest said, shooting me a warning look. He, at least, could see how close I was to snapping. Alishan raised an eyebrow, glancing at me and then the Eldest. With a little smile, she nodded.

"You have many things to discuss, of course," she said. "Our mating ceremony not least. We shall need to arrange that as soon as possible. I'm sure I can count on the Council of Elders to guide the Protector wisely."

"Of course, of course," the Eldest said, bowing low. I bit back a growl at his obsequious submission to her. "Now that we're committed, there should be no unnecessary delay. A few days is all we need. But you must understand, my lady, that the Protector has had something of a shock. Perhaps a few hours to adjust is in order, while you settle in?"

Looking pleased with that answer, Alishan allowed herself to be ushered out, one of the elders taking it upon herself to escort the new lady of the castle to my rooms. Our rooms, apparently. I trembled with the effort not to explode from rage, and as soon as the door closed behind Alishan and her escort I rounded on the Eldest.

"You—"

"—lied," he said, interrupting effortlessly. "Corvax. You are a brave, clever, and even wise man, but you must learn to lie better before you join the Elders. Fortunately, you have time."

I deflated, confused, and he almost laughed.

"I know that you have no desire to mate with that woman," he said. "But Gemma's life depends on the Perhar believing you'll do it anyway. They can accept that we Elders are cowards who'll accept her taking over, and that lets us keep her out of the way while you tell us your plan."

"What makes you think that I have a plan?" I asked, and the Eldest exchanged a look with Jarax. Both nodded seriously.

"Because you're the Protector," Jarax said, with absolute confidence in me. "You won't let the Perhar win like this, or let Gemma be taken away. If you don't have a plan yet, we'll wait while you make one."

I blinked, taken aback. The certainty with which he spoke was touching and I didn't know how to respond. When I didn't answer immediately, the Eldest spoke instead.

"Don't take too long, though. We can't stall Alishan forever — she may not be nice, but that doesn't make her stupid. Whatever we're going to do, you need to tell us before she works out that we're not the cowards she's taken us for."

"You're serious," I said, shaking my head. "But if we try to rescue Gemma, people will die. Our people."

"Corvax, she is one of us," the Eldest said. "No one will argue if you put us at risk to help her."

"Your family has given so much in the service of the clan," Jarax added firmly. "It's time the rest of us gave back and saved someone for you."

A weight lifted from my shoulders at their words, and I let go of my anger. It wasn't helping me think, and right now I needed a clear head. If my clan was at my back, I could still salvage this. I just had to work out how.

"Is the Halloran still in port?" I asked, turning to look out to sea. An idea was forming in my mind, a dangerous one. But it just might work.

"They were about to leave when the attack started," the Eldest said, taken aback by the question. "Why? They don't have the strength to attack the Perhar fortifications."

"No, not on their own. But I have an idea..."

I didn't know if it was a good one, or even a sane one. But it was better than leaving Gemma helpless in the hands of my enemies, and that would have to do. Thinking quickly, I began to plan.