LIEUTENANT IGNATIUS STORMED DOWN THE corridor. Where was that damned Sorceress? This was going too far.

He rounded another corner while servants and nobles scurried out of his way. Walking calmly toward him came the Sorceress and her consort. Yakov gave him a flat look which he returned with heat. He'd never liked the Southerner and felt less than impressed with the relationship the adviser appeared to have with the heir; the Princess should only be surrounded by born and bred ...