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I tried not to wince as we stepped onto the polished h the open archways The others had looked toward us, sos, but em of the cha the space between that circle of chairs, a shallow, circular reflection pool was carved into the floor itself Its dark water was laden with pink and gold water lilies, the pads broad and flat as a male’s hand, and beneath them pumpkin-and-ivory fish lazily swaht need to have

A wry pulse of humor down the bond I’ll make a note of it for your birthday

More wisteria twined about the pillars flanking the space, and along the tables set against the fealls, bunches of wine-colored peonies unfurled their silken layers Between the vases, platters and baskets of food had been laid--sarlands of fruit beckoned before sweating pewter ewers of soh Lords themselves

We were not the only ones to have dressed well

Rhys and I halted halfway through the space

I knew them all--remembered theht me their histories while we’d trained I wondered if they sensed their poithin lided forward, his embroidered, exquisite shoes silent on the floor His tunic was tight-fitting through his slender chest, but flowing pants--much like those Amren favored--whispered with movement as he approached His brown skin and hair were kissed with gold, as if the sunrise had perilded them, but his upswept eyes, the rich brown of freshly tilled fields, were his loveliest feature He paused a few feet away, taking in Rhys and s that Rhys kept folded behind him

"Welcome," Thesan said, his voice as deep and rich as those eyes His lover monitored our every breath fro our own co the same behind us "Or," Thesan , perhaps you should be doing the welcohosted Rhys’s perfect face, shadoining between the strands of his hair He’d loosened the damper on his power--just a bit They all had "I racious enough to offer up your beautiful residence"

Thesan gave a nod of thanks, perhaps dee it is, then turned to me

We stared at each other while h Lord’s wife should have done with them

Yet I simply stood And stared

Rhys did not interfere--not at this first test

Dawn--the gift of healing It was his gift that had allowed me to save Rhysand’s life That had sent me to the Suriel, that day I had learned the truth that would alter my eternity

I offered Thesan a restrained sone to the tattoo I knew he realized it thehand Then the crown atop ed