"Ah, kit, perhaps you're right and I'm being a silly old woman, seeing demons in every shadow." Lauriana wiped her eyes and nose with a handkerchief. "Your faith in the Most High makes shame of my doubts. You've always been a bright soul, even at the worst of times" More tears spurted when she embraced Ellysetta again, and she gave a self- conscious bark of laughter. "Well, now I know I'd best bring several handkerchiefs to the wedding.”

Ellysetta laughed, too, as did Sol, and the emotional moment passed. The spidery weave of Spirit dissolved, leaving no trace of its existence.

"Rest assured, Master and Madam Baristani," Marissya continued, "if for any reason Ellysetta does not accept the matebond, she will have the choice of remaining in the Fading Lands or returning to Celieria. Should she elect to return, the Fey will dower her sufficiently so that she may remarry or live independently for the rest of her life.”

Sol's brows rose at that unusual generosity. "That is very kind.”

The shei'dalin inclined her head. "The Feyreisa will be expected to attend at least some of the upcoming court functions. Am I correct in assuming she's had no training in the noble graces?”

"There was no need. We're simple folk.”

"I will arrange for her to meet with instructors who will teach her what she will be expected to know, both about the Celierian graces and those of the Fey. Once we return to the Fading Lands, the Fey will see to any further education she requires to fulfill her duties as our queen. The rest of the marriage contract is standard. If you wish, I can leave it with you so you may have your solicitor review it.”

"That's not necessary. I'll look at it now" Sol took the contract and began to read. When he was satisfied there were no nasty surprises, he went to the writing desk in a corner of the room and signed both copies of the contract. Rain signed them also and affixed his seal, a tairen rampant, in a blob of purple wax. Behind them, Lauriana, Ellie, and Marissya began to discuss wedding preparations.

Rain settled back in his chair and let the conversation flow over him. To his credit, he managed to sit through three- quarters of a bell of wedding plans before the first yawn hit him. He managed, admirably he thought, to stifle it, but Sol looked at him and grinned.

"Ellie girl, why don't you take your betrothed for a walk in the park? He looks like he could use some fresh air.”

Rain was far too pleased with the idea of escaping the detailed discussion of flowers and color schemes to take offense at Sol's teasing.

The twins, who had been listening at the doorway, jumped into plain view. "Can we come to the park, too?" they asked in eager unison.

"Girls," Lauriana rapped in a stern voice.

"Nei. It is all right. They may come." Rain nodded at the young girls and hoped their presence would put Ellysetta at ease. His consideration earned him the silent laughter of the Fey warriors, who were amused their king would stoop to bringing infants along on his courtship. He deserved the teasing, of course. Courtship among the Fey was as much a masculine rite of passage as the Soul Quest and the Dance of Knives. Fey men vied openly with one another to prove their greater strength, bravery, and skill in all such rites. But Rain was the first Tairen Soul ever to claim a shei'tani, and he would shamelessly employ whatever methods he could to win her.

* * *

Ellie's quintet accompanied them, along with thirty other Fey who, fortunately, were little more than dark shadows that she glimpsed now and again as she, Rain, and the twins walked through the streets to the riverfront park a scant mile upstream from the National Museum of Art.As could only be expected, they garnered a following of curious Celierians, all of whom were suddenly inspired to take in the view of the Velpin River at sunset.

Though the Fey warriors deterred the onlookers from venturing too near, Ellie was painfully aware of the many eyes focused on her party as they made their way to the park. The stares made her realize just whose company she was keeping, and how inadequate and inexperienced she must seem to him.

"What are you thinking?" Rain asked after the silence between them had dragged on for several chimes.

"I was just thinking that I must seem very young to you," she admitted.

"Aiyah. Indeed you do.”

"I'm sorry." She clasped her work-roughened hands before her and stared hard at her ragged fingernails. "I'm sure you would have preferred someone older, more experienced.”

"Nei, you misunderstand. If anything, I envy you" When she cast him a startled, disbelieving glance, he nodded. "It is true. To you, everything is still fresh and new. That has its own appeal to someone like me. I had forgotten, you see, what wonder felt like. You have reminded me." He paused. "Those older, more experienced women, they have lost their wonder too, and in their endless searching for something to make them feel it again, they have let darkness into their souls. I would never prefer that.”

They had reached the park, and with a natural courtly charm, Rain Tairen Soul opened the gate and ushered her into the park. Thick, green grass rolled out before them like a carpet, while brown graveled paths offered stately, symmetrical walks bordered by blooming flowerbeds and immaculate hedges. Benches sat in select locations alongside the river and beneath the shady canopy of sheltering trees. The clear, Fey- cleansed purity of the Velpin flowed past, singing its soft water music. Rain led her to the walk that bordered the steep granite embankment. There, they stood together and watched the Great Sun set over Celieria, while Lillis and Lorelle played Stones nearby.