"Of course he has. You're still in Celieria. But don't you realize, the only woman to leave the Fading Lands since the Mage Wars is the shei'dalin Marissya? Once you're through the Faering Mists, the Fey can make up any story they like about why you don't wish to return, and no one in Celieria will be able to gainsay them. Not even your family.”

Ellie gave a troubled frown as a bobble of doubt rose inside her. Guilt followed fast behind. Simply contemplating such an idea seemed so disloyal to Rain.

As if sensing that brief doubt, Selianne leaned forward. "Ellie, my mother has a friend. A sea captain. He has no love for the Fey, and he's offered to take you someplace where you'll be safe should you choose not to wed the Tairen Soul." Ellysetta reared back in surprise. "No.”

"Ellie—”

"No! I could never do that. Even if I wanted to leave Rain—which I don't!—Papa would never condone breaking another betrothal. He wouldn't have allowed it the first time if the king hadn't interceded. And if I ran off by myself, my family would be shunned, beggared. You know that, Selianne. I would rather sacrifice myself a thousand times than bring such hurt to them. How could you even think I could be so selfish?”

Tears pooled in Selianne's wide, guileless blue eyes. "I'm just so worried for you. I would do anything to keep you safe.”

"But not at the expense of my family, Selianne. You'd buy me only misery at that price.”

"I'm sorry." She wiped at her eyes and sniffled.

"As am I. Please, let's speak of it no more. You obviously weren't thinking clearly to make such an offer. Agreed?”

Selianne nodded with obvious reluctance. "If that's what you want, Ellie.”

"It is." With a forced smile, Ellysetta hugged her friend and tried not to flinch. Selianne's embrace felt oddly oppressive. Just my imagination, Ellie thought. As was the trick of light that made Selianne's eyes seem to flicker with black shadows, reminding Ellie unpleasantly of her young attacker. Still .. .

"Sel," she whispered hesitantly, "is everything all right with you? You're not in any sort of trouble, are you?”

Selianne pulled back. "Me? I'm not the one marrying the man who scorched the world.”

"It's just that Rain warned me that Mages could control anyone born in Eld." She bit her lip. When Selianne didn't respond, she added, "Your mother was born there. She didn't leave until she married your father. According to Rain, she could be used to hurt you … and me.”

Any hint of shadow in Selianne's eyes was gone now—as was her earlier guilt—replaced by horror. With a quick twist, she broke free. "Did you tell him about her?”

Ellie's jaw dropped. "Of course not! I would never do that!”

"Then how would he know it?”

"He doesn't. I didn't mean that." How had this gotten twisted around? "He wasn't talking about your mother specifically. He was talking about the Eld in general, and how the Mages can control them from childhood.”

"Ellie, my mother loves me. And you too, for that matter. She'd die before doing anything to hurt either of us”

"I know she loves you, Sel. That's not what I meant. I—”

"I think you'd better not say anything more. It would break my mother's heart to know you could even think something so vile. She's not some … some slave of the Mages.”

"Sel… please … I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply anything bad about your mother.”

Selianne sniffed. "We'd better go. Your mother and the Archbishop are waiting.”

Ellie's brows climbed halfway up her forehead. "Selianne, you little prig. I just forgave you for suggesting I should abandon my honor and my family and run off with some sea captain. And now you're all in a twist because I'm worried the Eld might try to hurt you and your mother to get to me?" She laughed in disbelief. "I was stabbed yesterday. Can you not understand why I might be a little more suspicious than usual?”

Selianne's irritation fled. "What an idiot I'm being. I swear I don't know what's come over me" She shook her head. "I'm supposed to be your friend and beacon, and here I am being an obnoxious ninnywit. I'm sorry. Friends?”

"Of course. The very best" They hugged again, a tight squeeze, and this time Ellie sensed nothing but genuine concern and love in the embrace. When they broke apart, she saw her mother gesturing with escalating ill temper. "I guess we'd better go," she said. "Greatfather Tivrest is getting impatient.”

Ellie signaled to Bel, and the privacy weave dissolved. She and Selianne hurried to join Lauriana and the Archbishop.

The initial devotions of the Bride's Blessing were a lengthy, sonorous affair, full of prayers and hymns and meditation. Fortunately, everything proceeded smoothly. When they were done, Ellie gave Selianne and her mother quick hugs and hurried home to meet Rain and Master Fellows.

Lauriana stayed after Ellie's departure in order to discuss the upcoming services and the wedding schedule with the Archbishop. To her surprise, Selianne was waiting for her when she left the cathedral a full bell later. "Selianne? What are you still doing here?”

The young woman Lauriana had known since childhood twisted her hands together in the same way she and Ellie always had when confessing a misdeed. "I needed to talk to you, Madame Baristani, and I couldn't do it in front of Ellysetta and the Fey.”