A Day For A Wedding

Boraden smiles brightly when she said she would marry him and then leaned over and kissed her. “Make love to me Kressara,” he whispered in her ear and she did so long into the night…

The next morning was a series of him trying to keep her clothes off and her trying to get dressed then her trying to keep his clothes off but eventually they had gotten dressed and Boraden produced a very old set of brushes made from Ivory from an Oliphant and gilded in silver. He gave them to her as a bridal gift as was his custom. He brushed her hair for her as he had obviously done so before and helped her put her hair back in the same intricate braid she had been wearing it in as of late. They broke their fast in the common room quickly and left her to make the arrangements as he went to get the soldiers reports from the night before. In truth it was hard to leave her and as they stepped out of the Inn the fingers of their hands were intertwined and even as their arms extended to their full length it was obvious to the both of them that it was difficult to let the other go.

Thankfully there had not been another murder and the far patrol had not found anyone stowing away in any of the carts and wagons that left the city last night.

Raihn has been looking for Kressara but the guards at the golden halls had said she had not gotten back there last night. When he found her coming toward him the look of relief came onto his face and he jogged up to walk beside her.

“You really know how to scare a guy pigeon,” Raihn said. “I was told you never returned to your apartments last night, did you find something? Did anything...uh...untoward happen?” He began then saw the happy look on her face. “Oh…” he began and then his eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Ohhhhh!” He said and then did a wee caper as he teased her. He chuckled and wiped his nose with the side of his hand.

Kressara was blissfully happy and it was difficult to hide it. She couldn't believe that she and Boraden were getting married after only having known one another for a few days, but nothing felt more right to her. She felt as if she had known him her entire life, because in a way she had. She knew that she would have to write to her parents because if news of this reached their ears before she had a chance to tell them herself then that would not go over well. They would likely see this as rushed, but no one was going to stop her. She and Boraden would be married sooner or later and now seemed as good a time as any so why wait.

It was difficult to part with him, but each of them had tasks to complete and she knew she would see him shortly. The most difficult part of this was going to be convincing her aunt to marry them. They would also need a witness. Her first thought was her cousin Theodred and his wife, but they were currently in Gehenna. She then considered Fargus, but he had left to meet up with King Eomer's soldiers. She was considering other options when suddenly the solution came walking towards her.

"Shhhhh," she told him with a grin she couldn't stop. She grabbed him and pulled him over to a more private area. "Do you remember how you stole all of those items from me? Well, you owe me for that and I have found the perfect way for you to pay me back. Boraden and I need a witness for our wedding and you're it."

Raihn took on an expression of someone who was trying to remember something and then he nodded. “That big Northman? You can’t be serious!” he exclaimed in genuine surprise as they continued to walk down the street. People passed them and several who recognized her bobbed a curtsy or bowed in respect as they passed. He did see the look on her face that he was pressing the fringes of her tolerance but he kept right on.

“It couldn’t a been ‘that’ good. I’ve had women lose their minds over a good tumble but I wouldn’t of thought it of you pigeon,” He said and shook his head shamefully.

Kressara crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes and shook her head at what Raihn said. "It had nothing to do with that...Ok well it did to a certain extent. I don't expect you to understand but Boraden and I are meant to be together. Each of us has had visions of one another. I feel more connected to him in just a few days than I have with anyone else. We were going to get married one day anyway so why not now. So, will you be our witness or do I have to grab some random person off of the street?"

Upon hearing her words Raihn’s jaw dropped. “You’re serious?” He said and then thought about it for another moment. “Well if you’re going to do this then I will do as you ask,” he said though he was still quite skeptical about this. “Well, It does get me another look at the Queen. Since I’ve met you I’ve been invited to all of the grandest parties,” Raihn said in a mocking tone. Kressara punched him high up on his arm as she stepped past him and at first he said nothing then as she went by mouth the word ‘Ow!’ silently as he rubbed his arm surreptitiously.

The palace was no different today then it had been any other day. Lindariel was on her throne this time however and the last group of petitioners were just leaving the hall. She saw them enter then beckoned them to come to her. Her guards searched Raihn for weapons then let him accompany Kressara at the dais. She stood and came down the 3 steps to hug her.

“Kressara, it is wonderful to see you. I hear you’ve been busy. You and this Northman, Boraden? An odd choice but if he can help you catch this assassin the crown will be in his debt,” she said then looked at Raihn. “Hello Raihn,” She said in a flat tone. Raihn bowed regally then straightened when Lindariel waved him off. “Come, sit...have some punch with me,” She said and directed her to a set of much more comfortable chairs to the right of the dais. As she look at her face she smiled. “Something is different about you. Has something happened? By how your beaming it must be something very good. Come, you must tell me. I could go for something good right now,” She said as if she was overdo for anything but bad news right then.

Kressara stepped with Raihn into the palace and was happy to see that the last group of petitioners were leaving. She felt somewhat nervous as what she was going to tell and ask of her aunt was something rather extraordinary. She just hoped that her aunt would understand and marry them as they wanted. While the guards searched Raihn for weapons she walked up to her aunt and gave her a hug. She wished she could be here to tell her that the murderer had been caught, but hopefully that would be coming soon enough.

"Yes, Boraden and I have been searching every inch of Edoras trying to locate this girl. I think we are drawing closer though," she replied as she took a seat. She accepted a cup of the punch and tried not to think of Celia on the floor dead with her eyes wide open. She didn't realize that she was still smiling until her aunt said something to her. She was just so happy that she couldn't stop herself.

"Well, actually I do have good news and I have something very important to tell you," she said as she put down her cup and turned fully to look at her aunt. "Boraden and I are in love...deeply in love. He is my soul mate and my one true love." She saw her aunt open her mouth to speak and she stopped her. "Wait, please...just listen." She waited until her aunt close her mouth before speaking again. "My entire life I have known that I am different from my other siblings. Not just because of my need to learn the sword, but also because of the visions I have. For many years I have seen a man shrouded in black in them and I have known that we are meant to be together. For a time I thought that man was Havan...and then Gowen, but I was wrong both times. It wasn't until I met Borden that I could finally see the face of that man and it was him. He has had visions about me as well. My soul is complete now that I have met him and I am the happiest I have ever been. We wish to be married...today."

Lindariel listened intently to what Kressara said. She deeply missed such times as these, and her own daughters were all grown with their own families. She didn’t know this Boraden, save by reputation and it was just a few days ago she had learned he had been arrested on suspicion of being the murderer himself. Still, this was Kressara. Probably the most level-headed of all of her nieces. Could she begrudge the woman from her happiness? She had been through so much already for someone so young. She lightly touched Kressara’s cheek with her fingers and smiled over at her. A warm, motherly kind of smile.

“I see so much of your mother in you Kressara,” She said and smiled again remembering back. “Perhaps much of myself as well,” She added remembering a time when her father Conleth and her were nearly inseparable. She had disappointed him but yet each time she has seen him he would give her that ‘look’. A look that he loved her dearly. It made her always feel like that same girl again. How she did miss both her parents…

“Your mother may not quite understand...but I will do this...for you Kressara. But you must allow me to speak to this man. To see his qualities for myself. Until then I will set my ladies to finding you something suitable to wear and I believe your father may have left some clothes that could fit this Boraden. Does he have a surname?” She asked and took a long drink from her glass and decided it was a tad sweet but delicious and refreshing. Clearly this time there was nothing wrong with the punch.

Lindariel would know that Kressara did not do irrational things. She was level headed and thought through most situations as thoroughly as she could. She had always been this way. So, although this may seem irrational to anyone else Lindariel would know that it wasn't. Kressara knew that she was putting her aunt in a potentially awkward situation with her parents, but she intended to write to them in the morning.

Kressara smiled happily at her aunt and felt a few tears come to her eyes. She had thought after her heartbreak with Gowen that she would never find love or happiness again and now she knew that true love felt like.

"Thank you Aunt Lindariel. You will make us both so happy today. There is something you should know about Boraden though. He is not a Northman by blood. He was adopted by one of the clan leaders after he was found abandoned. I truly believe he has Dunedain blood in his veins. Everything I have seen so far indicates that, but I must find a way of proving it. Also, by helping us find this murderer he will never be able to return home to the North."

Lindariel frowned at that. Not having a surname could be a problem and she tapped the gilded edge of her glass with an outstretched finger as she thought about how to circumvent that part of the ceremony. She gave Kressara a sidelong glance.

“I’ll have to have an oath from you Kressara, that when you discover his family. You will take on his name,” She said and waited until Kressara gave it. “Now that that piece of business is over with...We shall have a feast and have the entire city to celebrate this union. I think our people need something to take their minds off of their troubles. And by the light, I suppose I do to. Your uncle...his army is being pressed hard. I fear we will lose many men in this war. But lets not darken this day with that. There’s much…” She began but then there was a ruckus near the double doors that led into the chamber. One guard fell inside onto the floor, his shield and spear skidding across the tiles while another guard and Boraden wrestled. The two guards that were on the inside of the double doors leveled their spears at Boraden who bled from a gash just above his left eyebrow. Just outside of the doors two more guards were slowly picking themselves up from the floor as still others ran toward the two men, spears ready to strike.

Kressara vowed to herself that once they caught this murderer that they would focus on discovering Boraden's family. Hopefully, he had some knowledge that would point them in the right direction. However, for now it was a day of celebration, although Kressara did hope that news of the wedding would reach the murderer's ears and drive her to them (though she would never admit that to Boraden). Kressara was about to ask her aunt about obtaining rings when she suddenly heard a commotion happening just outside of the chamber. Kressara jumped to her feet when she she saw Boraden fighting with four guards. She was horrified to see two of the guards running towards Boraden with their spears ready to strike.

"Halt!" she yelled in a clear, commanding voice. As the guards slid to a stop and the other two backed away she approached the five men. "What is the meaning of this? Why do you attack my husband to be?"

Boraden was about to shift the man he grappled with to take at least one of the spears that were coming toward him but Kressara’s loud shout stopped everyone in their tracks. Lindariel stood as well, her face a mask of startled outrage. “Speak Captain!” She barked.

The guard closest to the women turned them saluted arm to chest. “My queen, this man was told to go away and he attempted to force his way in. If the princess and my queen will allow me, I will take this man into custody,” he said between hastened breaths. Another guard tried to help the one that felt up and both seemed to be limping. Boraden has given them a good fight even though he only used his hands and feet.

“Kressara...we ‘have’ to go...it’s happening now!” Boraden said suggestively. He made no excuses nor did he seem to show respect to her, the guards nor the queen. He was all about the business at hand and came to her, at great risk to himself, because she had told him to alert her if he learned anything. It didn’t matter that the guards refused him entry. Obviously time was very short for this and his face all grim urgency.

Raihn too perked up at the intrusion and also at what Boraden said. Obviously he was ready to go and flashed Kressara a look and nodded toward the door.

Kressara looked at Boraden when he told her it was happening now and she knew that time was of the essence. She couldn't allow this woman to get away from them again. She looked at Raihn who was ready to go and then at her aunt. "I apologize Aunt Lindariel but we must go immediately. We will return later once this business is taken care of."

She then quickly rushed over to Boraden with Rahin right behind her. "Where is she? How did you find her?"

As they ran Boraden filled them in. “One of the merchant guards that was guarding one of the carts helped load a large trunk onto the back of the merchant’s cart. It must have weighed more than he thought because when asked, the merchant said the trunk only held implements for writing and a couple of his ledgers. I was nearby and he gave me the signal. The merchant had an issue with one of his horses so I think they only just left the gate!” He said as his long legs carried him quickly down the hill. Raihn had a dark, determined look in his eyes, as if he hadn’t really thought about killing a woman until right then. But he kept up with them and checked his short swords in their sheaths.

They were down the hill in a flash and thumped against the cobbled street as they exited the eastern gate. The cart was just up ahead and not in any great hurry as the horses slowly plodded along the road. “Stop! Stop!” Boraden shouted and the merchant looked back at them running toward him. He stopped his team of 2 horses and turned and stood to look back at them. He held up his arms in confusion as they came up on them. As they came up onto the cart however the lid of the trunk that was obscured by several large barrels flew open. An arm clothed in a blue dress made a motion and the merchant yelped as a knife pierced his back and he fell forward off of the cart. At the same time Kressara felt a hard shove from behind as Raihn pushed her forward hard into the back of the cart. Boraden saw the movement and spun to face Raihn who took out his short swords and in one fluid motion flourished them toward Boraden. It was all Boraden could do to avoid them save for throwing himself to the ground. Instead he only pivoted and bent back just enough so only one of his blades scored a cut across his middle and he fell to one knee in the process.

“Kill her now Raihn!” The woman commanded but Kressara had rolled onto her side and was looking back at him now. “I’m...sorry...pigeon,” he said, his face a grim mask of deadly determination. “Traitor!” Boraden growled but before he could lunge at him, the woman’s hand drew back and threw another knife that sank deep in Boraden’s side. Beyond them the merchant twitched as the poison from her dagger began to infect his blood.

Kressara listened to Boraden as they ran down the hill towards the eastern gate. As they ran through Kressara could see the cart up ahead. She was not going to let this woman escape and cause anymore harm. She glanced over at Raihn feeling that between the three of them they would be able to easily take her down. Little did she know what betrayal awaited her. The merchant slowed the horses to a stop at Boraden's command and judging from the confused look on his face Kressara could only assume that he was completely unaware of the murderer he was transporting. Kressara's hand was just about to grab one of her long daggers when she was suddenly distracted by the lid of one of the trunks bursting open. Before Kressara could do anything the woman stabbed the cart driver in the back. At the same time Kressara felt herself being shoved so hard that she ended up in the back of the cart. She looked over at Raihn and the look of confusion, anger, and betrayal was evident in her eyes. She had trusted him when all of her instincts had told her not to. She had asked him to be a witness at her wedding! She had thought that perhaps they could be friends and now she faced one of his blades.

"How could you do this to me?!"

She saw Boraden move and was about to shout out to him to stop when suddenly the woman threw a second knife at him. Her eyes widened in horror when it lodged itself into his side. "No!!"

Now, she was angry. She drew an arrow faster than the blink of an eye and she aimed and shot Raihn in the right thigh, causing him to drop his swords. Then she whirled around and hit the woman in the face with her bow so hard that she was flung backwards out of the cart. Kressara jumped down and and looked at the stunned woman on the ground who was bleeding from her nose from the hit. "You messed with the wrong family."

She heard Raihn start to move and she turned and fired a second arrow, hitting him in the left thigh before looking back at the woman. "You thought you were going to get away with this? That I was just going to let you attempt to kill my mother and aunt and kill innocent people? Your reign of terror ends today." She drew another arrow and fired and struck the woman right in the heart. She stood there for a moment to ensure she was dead before quickly going past Raihn and over to Boraden.

The merchant had since stopped kicking and lay there motionless as he slowly died. Boraden tried to get up but at Kressara’s urgings to stay down he reached to his side but was unable to reach the dagger. He felt Kressara there and visibly relaxed as Raihn just laid there as he held his thigh just above where an arrow pierced through it. “Pull it out!” Boraden growled as if giving her a command but obviously his heart wasn’t very into it right then. Not when he was in pain like he was. When she pulled it out and looked at it she could see the dark, green that mixed with the bright red of his blood. It was poisoned. When she pulled it out, Boraden relaxed a bit and turned over onto his side when she came to kneel next to him. He looked up at her and saw the concern and worry in her eyes as she flung the dagger away. “Oh...is that dark look for me, princess?” He said trying to be funny but saw that it hadn’t worked very well. He groaned and stole an angry glance over at Raihn who lost so much blood he fell back and just laid there on his side, panting.

“I guess I neglected to mention,” he said as he took a careful breath as breathing too hard made the wound hurt! “My clan...the Ironfist clan...we’re exposed to all kinds of poisons at a young age to build up a tolerance to them. I’m immune to Whitesnake root,” he said then winked at her.

The upset look on her face slowly faded when Boraden revealed to her that he was immune to the poison. She couldn't imagine losing him already...she didn't think her heart would be able to take that kind of pain. She couldn't stop the tears of relief that filled her eyes as the realization that he was going to be alright fully sank in. She cupped his cheek with her right hand as she rested her forehead against his own and closed her eyes for a moment. "Don't ever scare me like that again m'love," she whispered to him. She then sat up and stood up and walked over to Raihn and yanked his jacket off of him with a growl. She used it to rip long pieces of cloth to use as a bandage for Boraden's wound. It would have to be properly cleaned and attended to once they got back to the palace.

"What should we do with him?" she asked as she glanced over at Raihn.

Raihn didn’t open his eyes and didn’t stop her from ripping up his clothes. When she began to dress his wounds however he protested. “Don’t...let me bleed...and be done with it,” he said as tears fell from his closed eyes. “Some oaths...are harder to break…than others,” He said in a labored voice. “I’m...so sorry Kressara,” he said weakly and Kressara noticed that an arrow had punctured the artery in his thigh. Boraden raised up onto an elbow and looked up at Kressara who looked back at him. “Nothing,” He said plainly as several guards from the city and those that were further down the road waiting to search the carts that came up to their position, ran toward them.

“You’ve gained much honor today Princess Kressara of Gondor,” Boraden said almost formally. “I am curious what a wedding is like here in the south. Do not think that my wounds will keep me from your bed tonight!” He added with a grin. “A kiss before they come?” he asked unabashedly and quirked a his right eyebrow at her.

When the soldiers arrived they checked the woman, the merchant and Raihn but announced that they were all dead. They helped him up and escorted them both back into the city. When they arrived back at the palace the healers were summoned and as Kressara was led away to be bathed and dressed for the nights festivities the queen wanted a moment to speak to Boraden.

Lindariel was relieved to know that the murderer was dead and that Kressara was unharmed. Boraden had been injured, but the healers believed he would be fine. Both Kressara and Boraden wanted the wedding ceremony to continue. She had noticed that Kressara seemed upset about something and when asked her niece informed her that Raihn had betrayed them and had been working with the murderer. Kressara had decided to trust him despite her instincts and his betrayal had hurt worse than any other wound she might have received from him. Lindariel hoped that his act wouldn't cause Kressara to lose her trust in people completely, but the young warrior had learned a valuable lesson indeed.

Lindariel instructed her ladies to draw a bath for Kressara and to lay out something for her to wear. She had a suit laid out for Boraden as well, but wanted to speak with him first since she didn't know him very well. She knocked lightly on his door and announced herself and waited for him to bade her to enter. When she did she took a good look at him and decided that Kressara was right, that were was Dunedain blood in him.

"Kressara told me that you gave up any opportunity to go home to the North by helping her find the murderer. Is that true?"

Of all the people he expected to see right then, the queen, Lindariel was the last. He managed to keep his face neutral as he took a step back and gave her a simple salute, fist to chest and opened his door for her. He gestured for her to enter then closed the door behind her. She did not sit nor did she seem particularly settled being in his presence. Her sudden question did surprise him however because he had only told that to Kressara. It was obvious now that Kressara had mentioned it to the queen and his choice was either to answer her or tell her it was none of her business, which it wasn’t. But these southern folk were an odd lot and she was a woman after all. He didn’t know a woman who didn't want to know everything about a man. Especially if she were about to make one kin in an hour or so. Better to be...forthcoming he decided. Boraden was in the middle of getting dressed and he had a thick bandage around his middle. The slacks were a bit short but he just bloused the ends into his newly polished black boots. They showed off his butt and legs to a degree...they were a bit snug, but he didn’t seem to really notice that.

“Allegiances are made to people, not to places. But there are those that will find out what I did. It won’t matter if the person was a murderer and assassin only that I defended a southerner against her. That I took part in her capture and death. And so I can never again consider myself welcome among the Northmen,” He said honestly and looked her dead in the eyes. He could tell right away that she was a woman of strength. Her age had only brought her beauty into maturity. Like a ripened peach fresh for picking. It took real effort not to stare at her breasts but he managed to keep his eyes on hers.

Lindariel's question had been a test of sorts for Boraden. She wanted to see what kind of man he ultimately was and his answer pleased her. He was an honest man and that was what she wanted to see. Her youngest niece was about to marry this man after all after having only truly known him for a few days. She couldn't deny this man was handsome, if not ruggedly so. In that way he reminded her of both her husband and her brother-in-law, King Elessar. It seemed that the women of this family had a type. Strong, handsome, and willing to put up with the stubborness that ran in their blood.

"I can see why Kressara is drawn to you," she told him with a little smile before it faded and she became more serious again. "Kressara is King Elessar's youngest daughter and he shares a special relationship with her because of that. Because he is not here to judge you for himself that duty falls to me. Kressara is a smart girl and as you now know quite capable of taking care of herself in a fight...but it is off the battlefield that I worry about her. She is still very young and because of these visions she has placed a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. She needs a man who will not just watch out for her on the battlefield, but will take care of her off the field. The women of our family can be as hard headed and stubborn as a mule. Expect no less with Kressara. But know this, you are stepping onto this path with her...not the other way around. You seem like a very strong, independent man...are you willing to make such a sacrifice as to allow a woman to lead you?"

Boraden watched Lindariel as she spoke to him about Kressara and about her family. He had never met any of them save for Lindariel. But what he had seen already, the men as women of the royal line were a strong, intelligent lot who deserved their place in the world.

“Such a thing is not a sacrifice. And only self important fools seek out their own honor for its own sake. In my experience a woman can lead and fight as well as any man,” he said and took an involuntary step toward her. This kind of talk was arousing him and he smiled as he thought about how Kressara defended him. “Kressara is a lioness, He said fondly. “Perhaps all the women in her family are,” he said and seemed to relish that thought and this time he did openly look at her body then realized what he was doing and took a casual step back.

“A man’s love is never enough on its own. Devotion and loyalty to the woman he chooses makes him worthy of the gifts she gives him,” and it was clear what he meant. “Her body, her womb, her children. Given to him out of her love for him,” he said plainly and with more than a little conviction at the end.

Lindariel watched Boraden as she listened to him and the way he openly looked at her caused her to actually smile a little. "You are quite...bold. I rather like that. Eomer was the same way when I first met him. It was partly what attracted me to him and I can guess it is partly why Kressara is attracted to you. You will be good for Kressara...that I can plainly see. Remain devoted to her in body and spirit and see where that love can take you. You can feel it, can't you? The bond that binds you two together. Such bonds are quite rare, although there are several bonds in our family. Don't be afraid of it. Let it grow between you and it will only strength what you two already share. You have my blessing Boraden. Take care of that girl because she needs you more than you could ever know."

With that Boraden inclined his head to Lindariel and then she handed him a small, black laquered box. He took it and guessed what it contained and then watched her as she left. His shirt was white and somewhat frilled at the cuffs. It was tight on the neck and heavily embroidered there as well. The coat was a bit tight in the chest but otherwise fit him quite nicely. It was in the style of gondor, a dark gray with black embroidery at the lapels and on the sleeves. He wore his sword on his hip and he tied it so it levered back so it would not drag upon the ground. He removed the rings then put them, without looking at them, into his pocket.

The three women that were bathing Kressara were all quite lovely in their own way. One rubbed her temples as she lounged back in the porcelain tub. Another rubbed her hair with oils and the last one, the eldest and most skilled at sewing sat at the foot of the tub and made adjustments to her dress.

“Is it true what they say about these…’Northmen?’ Devinda said as she careful massaged the oil into her brown hair. Racine the youngest giggled at that and continued to rub her temples. “Devinda, The Princess has been with men before. A woman should not compare her men like that,” Hester said. “Easy enough to compare em if they stood naked in a line,” Devinda murmured though everyone had heard what she said. Racine’s face went 3 kinds of crimson at that and tried to think what that might look like if it should ever happen.

Kressara felt that she could now relax and focus on her wedding to Boraden now that the murderer was dead and her family and the citizens of Gondor and Rohan were no longer at risk. She hoped that her aunt had gone easy on Boraden. She wondered though what her father would think of him when they eventually met. She hoped that he would see his good heart and brave spirit and most importantly that he loved her. She felt that perhaps she had held back her love with Havan and Gowen, but that would not be so with Boraden. He would know everyday of her undying love for him.

Her muscles slowly relaxed as she sat in the warm water and all of the dirt and grime slowly was washed away revealing her creamy white skin underneath. She enjoyed the feeling of being pampered. She had not experienced such luxuries since leaving the palace. That life was ultimately not one she wanted, but it was nice on special occasions. She took a sip of her wine but nearly choked on it at Devinda's question. She coughed and then laughed a little. "He's not a Northman by blood...but he's built like one," she said, hoping to get Racine's face to turn even redder.

“Well, he certainly has large...hands,” Devinda said with a snort and between Kressara’s comment and Devinda’s Racine’s cheeks now bloomed with color. Obviously she had never seen a man naked and it wasn’t often that these women could talk like this. “I’ll bet you a silver Hester that Master Boraden’s mouth goes bone dry when he sees the princess in that dress,” Racine said. “I’ll bet you two her dress comes off faster then it goes on,” Davinda countered and they all laughed at that. Racine paused at her temples to reach for the pitcher and refill Kressara’s glass.

“Do you intend on waiting for children then?” Racine asked as she moved down to her neck. Racine had skillful fingers and seemed to know exactly where the kinks in her neck were.