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head.
    â€œKadar, I’m a Northern girl,” she said regretfully. “Even if I send the rest of my family south, I belong here. It’s in my blood, the way the desert is in your blood.”
    â€œYou’re in my blood just as much,” Kadar said, taking her hand. “And wherever you and Datura are is home. I’ll become like my uncle Tarik, a man of both countries, and we can stay together.”
    Farrah’s smile bloomed again, and he kissed her. Her lips were soft against his as she returned the kiss with fervor.
    Gagging noises from the doorway broke them apart again, and Farrah tossed a stone at her brothers, who giggled.
    â€œIf these rascals will finish their chores, I believe we can go walking,” Farrah said with dignity. Kadar gave her a sweet fry pie as they started away from the building. He clasped her sticky hand, and they walked in silence a ways, just enjoying each other’s companionship. They’d reached the corner, when Kadar remembered that he had a letter for her.
    â€œThis is for you,” he said as he stopped and fished it out of his pocket. “I ran into Severin, and he asked me to deliver it.”
    She stepped away from him to open the envelope and read the contents. Then she turned back, her eyes bright, an excited flush on her cheeks.
    â€œHe’s done it,” she burst out. “He’s gotten some of the Northern merchants to meet with the Forsaken resistance, to offer cover for the men and space to hide in. He’s set up a meeting midweek.”
    Kadar frowned. “What about Ashraf’s plans, and the warehouse we rented?” he asked, puzzled.
    â€œAshraf went south and won’t be back,” Farrah said. “I had a letter from him. He wrote that Kabandha won’t work for the Forsaken, but he would work on finding homes in the surrounding areas. But he said he was ‘unavoidably detained’ and could not give a date for his return.“
    Kadar frowned as they walked on. Kabandha had been their best hope for relocating the Forsaken. He was disappointed Ashraf would abandon their plan without much explanation.
    â€œBesides,” Farrah continued, “I think we were wrong about migrating south. I’m a Northerner. This is my home as much as anyone in Illian. I should not have to leave to find freedom and respect. The Forsaken need to fight for freedom here, where we belong. Severin agrees.”
    â€œHow did Severin get involved with the Forsaken?” Kadar asked.
    â€œAfter he saw my mother die, he protested again to his father. Who disinherited him in favor of his younger brother.”
    Kadar nodded. As he’d admitted to Severin, he’d heard as much from the marketplace gossip.
    â€œSeverin was furious and started organizing the Forsaken youth to rebel.” She gave a short laugh. “He was doing more harm then good, getting kids beaten with no aim. I met with him, got him under control. Now he’s got a group of trusted Forsaken under him, testing ways we can undermine the soldiers.”
    â€œI walked right into one of those tests,” Kadar admitted. “Farrah, innocent ­people could be hurt if you do that on a busy street.”
    Farrah’s voice was low and intense. “None of the towns­people are innocent.”
    Kadar stared at her, shocked. She glared around the marketplace they were strolling through.
    â€œThey just stood and watched while the soldiers killed my mother. They didn’t even stop to help while she bled out on the cobblestones. They don’t deserve your pity.”
    â€œYou don’t mean that,” Kadar said.
    Farrah stared at him a moment, her face marble, that of a stranger. Then her expression melted, became rueful.
    â€œI didn’t want to talk about this today. It’s our first day together since you got back! Let’s just enjoy the day, Kadar,” she said, smiling.
    Kadar smiled back, and they wandered