THIRTY-THREE
After an hour's ride, they reached a stream, and Yun called a halt. He dismounted and filled their water skins. He passed Ava's up to her and she drank deeply, gratefully, before thanking him.
"So is there a baby?" Yun asked.
Ava reddened. "No. In the western kingdoms, they tell stories about a virgin who gave birth to a son, but I am not her. I...lied. I am sorry."
He swung back into his saddle. "I'm not. Your lie won us an alliance."
Ava shook her head. "No, your charmed tongue pleased my father. The alliance is your doing, not mine. I merely bought you safe passage through the camp to my father's command tent."
"You bought me a kingdom that should never have been mine. Truly, you deserve to be its Empress." Yun brought his mount close beside hers and reached out to
