The Prince stared at the king’s audacity, at his interference with Pry-rian custom. It was not for the king of Comoros to decide the balance of political power within Pry-Ree. But the Prince was wise enough to realize that if he refused the request, his wife would be returned to her prison at Pent Tower.

“The nobles of Pry-Ree will balk at this arrangement,” the Prince said, doing his best to keep the emotion from his voice.

“But surely you can manage it?” the king replied smugly, his eyes probing and earnest. “What other choice do you have?”

“Indeed,” the Prince replied flatly. He saw the situation as it really was. With only one king to rule the entire kingdom, it would undermine the ambitions of the realm. Rather than co-ruling, others would expect greater favors and privileges. It would also mean jealousy as those who craved the right to rule would be tempted to do away with the Prince. So much easier to overthrow a smaller kingdom when it is squabbling internally amongst itself.

“Shall we ready the ceremony?” the Aldermaston suggested. “To acknowledge, of course, the secret marriage you conducted earlier. Shall we go down, my Lord Iselin?”

“May I speak with my wife before giving you our answer?” the prince asked.

The king looked startled and then shrugged. “We will await you without then. Come, Aldermaston. Let us retire to another chamber.”

The door shut softly behind them.

There was a pause, a moment when they looked at each other, unspoken words passing between them in a rush. Before the Prince knew it, the girl was on her knees in front of him, head bowed submissively. “Forgive me, my lord. I have been a burden to you. I did not know my cousin would place those demands on you. I knew none of it. I am ill to think what harm this will bring to you and your kingdom. If we must delay, I will bear it. If we must part…”

The Prince knelt in front of her and took her hands, smiling through his tears. “No. Hush your fears…I will not be parted from you so soon.” He squeezed her hands and stared deep into her eyes. “You will not spend another day in a Comoros prison. You are the lady of Pry-Ree. You are our rightful queen. I will pay whatever ransom to secure you.”

She seemed not to comprehend his words. Tears fell from her lashes, but her look was confusion. “How can this be? I know who I am. My father was murdered on the field of battle by my cousin, the king. My mother and I have been outcasts in Dahomey since that time. I was raised in a poor Abbey in a poor province. I bring you no wealth, no lands, no position. And because I am a Demont, you incur the king’s enmity. All of this is due to a promise you made long ago to my father. I am a burden to you in every possible way. If it would help your kingdom to send me back to Pent Tower, I will face it. Think of your people, my lord. Think on the burdens they must bear if the king gets his will concerning Pry-Ree.”

Very slowly, deliberately, the Prince kissed her hand. He stood and pulled her up with him. “You are mistaken. As I look at you now, I see a prize worth having. A prize worth any wait. It is not because of lands or coins or promises that I desired to marry you. It was not even because of your lord father, though he was my ally and my friend.” He escorted her to the window and parted the curtain. “Do you see the mountains? Those are the Myniths of Pry-Ree. They are treacherous to cross. Wedged deep inside is another Abbey – a small Abbey known as Tintern. That is where I passed the maston test, just as you passed yours at Montargis. It is not the size of the Abbey that matters. It is the strength of conviction. When I spoke to your father of marrying, you were but thirteen. I knew that you were not ready then, for you were too young. Since the troubles of your family, I have watched and observed you from afar. I have observed you through the Gift of Seering, which I possess.” He pressed her hands in between his own. “It was not by chance that you traveled by ship to Pry-Ree and were captured. You are a maston, Elle. If I had communicated the Abbey where to meet me, you could have crossed the Apse Veil immediately. Your years in prison were a proving ground – do you understand? The Medium must prove us before it trusts us. It must prove us that we will be faithful, no matter the temptation. Only through the greatest sacrifices are the greatest powers of the Medium unleashed.” He paused and carefully brushed a strand of hair from her temple. “I was willing to wait to have someone like you. Someone who has passed every test, has remained constant and true. Being trapped in the tower would have broken the spirit of others, but it did not break yours. You were firm and resolute. I see it burning in your eyes. Your desire was never for yourself. Sweet lady, you are my equal in every way that matters most. That is who I wanted to marry. That is who I swore I would cherish. By irrevocare sigil, it is done. You have sacrificed enough for now. Of this I am certain – you will not leave this place with anyone other than myself. We will cross the Myniths, you and I. There are trees taller than any you can imagine. Giant husks of trees that are fallen and burned out by fire. There are waterfalls beyond imagining. There were fords and coves where the waves obey any who hold the rank of maston. We will see them all together. There is much I have to share with you.”