air.
“Diantha.”
Lourdes had known he would do it.
“Diantha.”
Prince Galen was no better or worse than any other man. He needed to know what she looked like.
“Diantha.”
“I didn’t tell Galen the entire truth about the glamour.” Mother was even paler than before.
“Please don’t distress yourself.”
“Listen to me—we don’t have much time!”
Oh, Mother.
“When Galen looks upon the glamour image, he’ll see past Diantha’s outer shell to her true nature. Not the brave front she puts on for the world, but the gentle soul she keeps hidden away. If he likes what he sees, his natural feelings will intensify.”
“You put a wyrd on the glamour after all.”
“Merely to enhance what is authentic and to smooth their path to each other, if there can be one.”
“How does it work?
“The very act of beholding a beloved has great power. It is mysterious and deep and all the stronger because it lives in hidden recesses of our hearts. If Galen sees in Diantha that which he can love, then we matchmakers can step back and let things take their natural course.”
“Direct the energy, don’t transform it.”
“Yes, my dear. You understand.”
An image formed in the air near Galen a few feet off the ground. It didn’t translate well in the glimmer glass. To Elyse it seemed like the ghost of a woman.
“Diantha is very pretty,” Mother said. “But if Galen loves, she’ll be beautiful beyond measure in his eyes.”
The only distinct feature Elyse could make out was pale golden hair that fell past the ghost’s waist. Apparently Galen liked what he saw. Worry fell away from his countenance like shattered glass. Until now, Elyse hadn’t appreciated how seriously he had treated this matter of an engagement. When such innocent pleasure lit up his face, it was easy to smile with him—and for him.
“It is done,” Mother said. “Observe. That isn’t desire you see. That is delight, far more ennobling.” She let out her breath. “Thank sun and moon. Galen and Diantha can be happy together.”
“Not if she can help it,” Elyse said. Lourdes rode into view in the glass.
“What are you doing here?” Galen said, and the hovering glamour image dissolved.
“We have to talk.” Lourdes slid off Hector’s back and ran to the prince. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. So much for talking.
“Lourdes, no.” Galen reached behind his neck to pry off Lourdes’s grip. “This isn’t right. This isn’t…” His eyes lost focus. He shook his head and seemed to notice Lourdes for the first time.
Elyse felt sick to her stomach. Lourdes had Galen in her power.
“You can’t love that Sarumosian.” Lourdes backed him against Igdrasil’s trunk.
“I can’t love that Sarumosian?”
She pressed close to him. “You love me, Galen. I’m the one.”
“You’re the one?”
“Let me clear things up for you, darling.” Lourdes kissed him again, and again. She reached between his legs.
Galen groaned with pleasure—and some anguish. “Lourdes, no.”
“Yes, my love.” Lourdes opened his trousers and slid them over his hips, past his thighs. “Very much yes.” As she sank to her knees, the glimmer glass went blank.
“Stop her!” Elyse jumped up.
“I can’t.” Mother lifted her hand. Elyse thought she meant to bring back the image, but her hand just hung in the air, trembling. When had it become such a frail and brittle packet of bones? “My dearest child. I wish I’d had more time with you.”
“We have all the time in the world.” But the words sounded like a lie coming out of Elyse’s mouth. She kissed her mother’s palm.
“You must take the ring.”
“Great gods, Mother. No.” Now Elyse’s heart swelled like it would pound out of her chest wall. To remove the oracle’s ring meant death.
“Please, Elyse. Let us not waste the time we do have.”
“Mother…Mommy.” Elyse stared at the ring. A simple design. One fine braid of gold and another
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