Lara’s green eyes flicked next to Magnus’s two older sisters. Narda, the eldest, was a pretty woman who seemed devoted to her husband, Tostig. Tostig was obviously in love with his wife, and deferential to his mother-in-law. The second sister, Aselma, was plump with good living, and doted upon by her husband, Armen. She appeared to have inherited her mother’s selfish attitude although she was certainly pleasant enough. I shall see them rarely, Lara decided. I have a friend in Sirvat, and she is all I will need.

Corrado’s family, on the other hand, drew her interest. His father, Dima, was a tall and slender old man who had had his sons late in life, but despite his advanced age he still displayed a refined demeanor. His elder son, Ing, was plump and cheerful. He had never had time for a wife, and didn’t seem to miss one. Now he clapped his father upon his back, teasing him that perhaps he would get to see some grandchildren after all.

The day began to wane, and the guests came together upon another high terrace to watch the sunset, which was even more perfect than the sunrise had been. Pink clouds edged in gold and purple floated in the sky above and vibrant colors – scarlet, orange, salmon, lemon-yellow, rose and gold – flowed and pulsed one into another. The air was still and warm and perfumed with late summer roses. Slowly, slowly the sun sank into a horizon of dark violet, and then there was the tiniest flash of green, which drew applause from the spectators. It was considered good fortune to spy that small moment.

“The wedding day is now concluded,” the High Priest Arik said. “Sirvat and Corrado will retire to the privacy of their apartments.”

With a bow to their guests the newly married couple left the garden.

“Lara!” The voice was that of Lady Persis. “Come with me now, and we will speak with one another. Tostig wishes to depart early, and I would not keep my good son-in-law waiting. Besides I am anxious to return to my comfortable home.”

“Ungrateful, presumptuous bitch,” the Dominus murmured under his breath.

“I shall be with you momentarily, Lady Persis,” Lara said. Then she put a gentle hand upon Magnus’s sinewy arm. “I will take care of this matter, my lord Magnus,” she murmured. “Would you like me to turn her into a mouse?”

“Could you?” he asked, his turquoise eyes twinkling. He sounded hopeful.

Lara smiled, but said nothing, giving him a quick kiss, and hurrying off.

She found the Dominus’s mother in the great day room of the Women’s Quarters. Going to a sideboard Lara poured two goblets of wine, and then brought them over to where the Lady Persis was seated. “I thought we might enjoy some refreshment while we talked,” she said quietly.

“Refreshment or support?” Lady Persis asked with some humor.

“Perhaps a bit of both,” Lara replied with a small smile.

“My son says he means to wed you,” the Dominus’s mother said.

“Yes, so he has told me,” Lara answered her.

“You would refuse him?” Lady Persis was surprised.

“Nay, but I would also not be hurried. I am a widow, lady.” Lara responded. “My husband was a great lord. Not as great as your son, I will admit. But a great leader of his clan family, and of his entire world.”

“How did he die?” Lady Persis wanted to know.

“He was killed by his younger brother who was tempted by his foolish wife. She had been inveigled by an ambitious man of Hetar who believed if Vartan were dead, the clan families of the Outlands, a land not ruled by Hetar, would be leaderless and vulnerable to an invasion. He was wrong, of course.”

“What happened to the assassin?” Lady Persis wanted to know.

“I killed both him and his wife,” Lara said quietly.

Lady Persis looked first shocked, then disbelieving. “You killed them? You mean you had them executed, of course.”

“Nay,” Lara replied. “I killed them.”

“How?” Lady Persis had eyes like her son’s, and they were now wide with a mixture of both fear and curiosity – and perhaps even a bit of fascination.

“With my sword, Andraste. I am a warrior, lady,” Lara said simply.

Lady Persis was silent for several long moments. Finally she spoke. “You are a warrior,” she repeated slowly. “Why have you come to Terah?”

“Because my destiny led me here, lady. I do not fully understand it myself,” Lara said candidly. “But it was obviously meant I be here else the curse of Usi would not be lifted.”

Lady Persis nodded. “I will admit that what you have accomplished here has been beneficial to the people of Terah,” she said. “I was taught that magic was wicked, yet yours seems not to be. And my brother, Arik, is favorable to a marriage between you and my son, Magnus.”

“My magic is naught but for good, lady. I do not practice the dark arts although the sorcerer Usi was a man who did. But those who use the darkness eventually fall into it, and are lost. I walk in the light.”

“I have been told faerie women only give children to those they love. Is this true? My son must have heirs.”

“I will give them to him when the time is propitious, lady. I gave Vartan a son and a daughter,” Lara said.

“Where are they?” Persis wanted to know.

“With their father’s people. I could not take them with me on this quest,” Lara said to the older woman. “My son may one day be leader of the Fiacre clan.”

Lady Persis nodded. “You did what was best for them. I can see that,” she replied. “I left Sirvat when she was just a little girl. I know there are those who think badly of me for it, and perhaps they are right. I loved Magnus’s father, Ejnar. When he died I thought I might, too, but I did not. I went on because I was supposed to do so. But Sirvat is her father’s image. Each day I looked at this child I had not intended bearing, and I found myself beginning to hate her. She was alive, and Ejnar was not. I protected her the best way I knew how.”

“You left her to her brother, and went to Narda’s home,” Lara said. “Do you still hate her?”

“No! How could I? Magnus was a far better influence for Sirvat than I ever would have been. She is the sweetest of my daughters because I had virtually nothing to do with her upbringing.” Persis laughed almost bitterly. “It would appear I lost not only my husband, but a daughter as well because I could not resign myself to my own fate. You at least gave up your children for a noble cause, Lara.”

“But I cannot forget them,” Lara said softly.

“Nor should you!” Persis told her. “When my son told me that he would marry you I was angered, for I thought he should have a Terahn maiden to wife, and certainly not a Hetarian. But I see now that Magnus is wiser than I ever was. My brother is right. Arik says you will help Magnus to become Terah’s greatest Dominus.”

“The High Priest honors me,” Lara said. “If Magnus becomes Terah’s greatest Dominus it will be because of his own efforts. I will take no credit for his accomplishments, lady.”

Persis laughed softly. “You are very clever,” she noted. “I can see you will manage my son to his best advantage. He will be fortunate in you. I give you my blessing, Lara.”

“Give us both your blessing, lady. I know it would please the Dominus greatly to know you approve.”

“Nonsense! He couldn’t care a whit what I think,” Lady Persis declared, “but I thank you for saying it. And I will follow your good advice.”

Lara rose. “Then I will see you before you depart on the morrow, lady.”

“You take pleasures together, of course,” the older woman said.

Lara nodded as she set her goblet back down.

“His father was a marvelous lover,” Lady Persis said.

“Then his son surely takes after him,” Lara replied with a smile, and she left the Dominus’s mother alone. They had tested each other, and Lara knew that Persis would now leave her in peace. Her original motive might have been to control her son’s future, but Lara could see that in her strange way Persis loved Magnus, and wanted what was best for him. Twice she had mentioned that Arik approved of Lara. It was good to learn she had the High Priest of Terah on her side should she ever need him, as perhaps she would one day. She hurried through the castle to tell Magnus of her meeting with his mother.

She found him in his private gardens enjoying the night. Sitting next to him she slipped her hand into his. “Your mother and I have made our peace. She would give us her blessing in the morning before she leaves.”

“Did you bewitch her?” he asked in an amused tone.

“She is intelligent in her own way, and it seems your uncle has much influence with her, my lord Dominus,” Lara told him. “He has told her a marriage between us is for the good of Terah. We talked on many things, but they are women’s things, and would be of no interest to you. Just know she will make no difficulties between us.”

“I want to go to Hetar,” he said, surprising her. Turning he tipped her face up so he might look into her eyes.

“Why?” she asked, though she had herself considered taking him to Hetar.

“You want me to populate all the land beyond the mountains with Outlanders,” he began. “I want to know these people before I let you bring them here. And it is always better that a man knows his enemy. Hetar, should they learn of us, will be our enemy. I want to see the City. I want to know what it is I may have to face one day.”

“Do you trust me?” Lara asked him.

“Of course,” he replied without hesitation, “but I must see for myself. I have given you my word, faerie woman, and I will keep that word. But let me see first. Do you understand?”

“Aye,” she said slowly, “I do. You are wise, my lord Dominus. Will we wed before this journey, or after? I will leave the choice up to you.”

“Before,” he said. “I will take no chances on losing you, Lara.” His fingers stroked her face gently. “Will you agree?”