RASHID STEPPED ASIDE, ALLOWING CATHERINE past and waited for her to disappear in the crush of soldiers moving through the corridor.

'Rashid.'

His ear prickled at the sudden close proximity of the Northerner and he turned to find her vivid eyes on his.

'Leseach.'

'Her Highness has requested a lesser dosage of her evening drink.'

Rashid nodded though the unease rose again at the thought of dosing the heir to Elion's throne drink with that poison. It ...