Indira stopped outside the Freyarr Palace to gather her courage. Her pulse raced and she rubbed her face to ease the heat in her skin. A hundred reasons why she should turn around and return to the safety of the hospital flitted through her mind, but for once she chose to ignore them.

Her motivation carried more weight than all her doubts, all her fears.

Kevlin.

Holding an image of his face in her mind like a talisman, she strode up the wide steps into the Freyarr palace. She had to speak with Ceren or she feared she might burst.

She reviewed her interactions with Kevlin, from the first day they met when he had impulsively kissed her to the night after the battle at Il'Aicharen. She had followed her heart and kissed him back. He was such a complex man, and somehow he'd walked into her heart.

That was the problem.

She hated to see him suffer, but how could she respond? For once, helping Kevlin might mean doing the opposite of what she yearned to do. She longed to protect him, to shield him from harm, and yet the very act of trying to help might prove his destruction.

The unfamiliar frustration left her feeling unsettled and doubtful. For once in her life, she could do nothing to help. The man she was falling in love with couldn't stand in her presence without suffering the terrifying Trembling Madness. Even if it would help, she had begun to doubt her ability to shield him, or anyone, with her Faith.

For the first time she could remember, Indira didn't know what to do.

So she came to speak with Ceren, the only friend who might be smart enough to guide her. Ceren was already helping Kevlin, so she made the most sense.

Indira paused to compose herself before knocking. She waited breathlessly for a long moment, but no one came to the door. She hadn't considered what to do if Ceren wasn't in her quarters. Ceren could be anywhere. In fact, it was foolish to assume she could find Ceren at all, with everything Ceren had going on. The woman always appeared so busy.

Then the door opened. Ceren stood there, her hair disheveled and clothes rumpled as if she had been sleeping.

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"Oh, I'm so sorry," Indira said. "Did I wake you?"

Ceren stared past Indira and spoke in a distracted tone of voice, "No, I don't think so."

"Can I help you? Are you all right?"

Ceren scrambled back, fear on her face.

Indira followed her into her quarters. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just . . . don't touch me."

Despite the hurtful comment, Indira gently closed the door. Now that she was inside, she had to share her concerns, even if Ceren seemed to be having a bad day.

"Now isn't really a good time," Ceren said as she drifted across the living room and sank into a plush couch.

Indira followed and sat beside her. Ceren shifted away, but Indira didn't care. "I need to speak with you about Kevlin."

Ceren perked up. "What about Kevlin?"

"I don't know what to do." It felt so good to get the problem out in the open. "How do I help him?"

"What do you think is wrong with him?" Ceren asked slowly.

"Oh, nothing new," Indira said. "But he already has so much to worry about."

"Indeed," Ceren said. Her eyes wandered past Indira, and she massaged her temples.

"Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine," Ceren snapped. "Just busy."

Indira clasped her hands together and said softly. "You know I . . . care for Kevlin. I'm just not sure how to help."

It felt good to speak with Ceren. The two of them had formed a tight bond of friendship in Hallvarr. Kevlin had been the one topic that Indira had hesitated to broach. Ceren had made it clear she felt Kevlin was the wrong choice for Indira, and she had tried at first to keep them apart. Lately though, she'd done so much to help him, who better to turn to for help?

"You can best help Kevlin by staying far away from him."

Indira sagged back in the couch. The courage she'd gathered to come here fled and she felt lost. She'd feared Ceren would advise her to stay away, but wasn't sure she believed it was the right choice.

Ceren patted her knee. "I know you care for him, but he'll break your heart."

Indira smiled. "I don't think . . ."

"Trust me, Indira," Ceren cut her off. "It's not safe for either of you to be together right now."

Indira slowly nodded and faced the hard truth. Kevlin seemed far more susceptible to the Trembling Madness in her presence. If he somehow succumbed to it, he might fall prey to another Tai Pari. If he did, he could unleash widespread destruction on the capital. Thousands of people could be hurt or killed.

Could she justify staying close to him despite such a risk? If she did trigger his destruction, she would contribute to so much pain and suffering. It would make her entire life's work a lie.

Fighting back tears, Indira whispered, "There has to be some way . . ."

"No, there's no way. If you care for Kevlin, stay away. Give him some time."

Indira hesitated, torn by conflicting needs.

"Please trust me," Ceren added.

"I will." What else could Indira say?

She rose and Ceren gave her a hug before leading her to the door. Indira walked slowly away, still wrestling with the right course.

For the first time she could remember, the choice to place the needs of others first was a difficult one. She wasn't sure what she was going to do.