Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn Page A

of their adventures on the road. These were much happier stories, although there had been some desperate moments last fall when Justin was falling in love with Ellynor.
    “I know Justin, of course, but who’s Ellynor?” Amalie asked.
    “She was a novice at the Lumanen Convent. He met her when he was spying on Coralinda Gisseltess.”
    “She’s a Daughter of the Pale Mother?” Amalie demanded. “And a Rider fell in love with her? Oh, that sounds very risky! Is he sure she can be trusted?”
    “It’s even more complicated than that,” Cammon said. “She was sent to the convent by her family—she didn’t join because she had any particular devotion to the Pale Mother. In fact, Ellynor worships the Dark Watcher. So it became very dangerous for her when—”
    But that had caught Valri’s attention. “She worships the Dark Watcher? Is she from the Lirrens? That’s their goddess there.”
    Cammon nodded vigorously. “ And she’s a mystic! So, here she is, surrounded by the fanatical Daughters, slowly realizing that she has magic in her blood and that if Coralinda finds out, she’ll be put to death. And then she’s got Justin showing up at the convent every other day, because he’s in love with her and he’s too stubborn to be turned away—she had a very tricky time of it.”
    “If she’s a Lirren girl, she’ll never be allowed to marry a Rider,” Valri remarked. “Outsiders are murdered before they’re allowed to make off with Lirren women.”
    “Yes, but she has married him. They’re on their way back from the Lirrens now,” Cammon said. “Ellynor became—became—she declared herself something special. Bahta-lo , that’s it. That means she’s free of the interference of her family. Apparently Lirren women can only become completely independent if they take this sort of vow, but if they do, they can run their own lives. I didn’t really understand it, to tell you the truth,” he ended up.
    “That’s quite an incredible tale,” Valri said, and it was hard to tell if she was serious or if she was mocking him. But something about the story had struck an emotional chord in her, for her green eyes were bright with interest. “And you say the Rider and his Lirren bride are on their way back to Ghosenhall even now?”
    “Yes. I think they’ll be here in a few days.”
    “Let us know when they’ve safely returned,” Valri said. “I would like to meet the bahta-lo who has eluded Coralinda Gisseltess and tamed a Rider.”
    Amalie sighed theatrically. “Yes, I’m very interested in love stories these days, since I’m supposed to be making a match of my own. Mine won’t be nearly so romantic, though.”
    “You might fall in love with your husband,” Valri said. “Just because you choose him primarily for rank and politics doesn’t mean you can’t choose him for character and looks as well.”
    “Milo says one of them will be arriving this afternoon,” Cammon said.
    Amalie nodded. “Delt Helven. You’re supposed to listen in to our conversation.”
    Cammon glanced around the room. “In here? Where shall I stand?”
    Valri was shaking her head. “No. There is a more formal receiving room on the first floor where Amalie will entertain her suitors. This room is too comfortable. We don’t want them to be at ease just at first.”
    Amalie giggled and Cammon grinned. “I can’t imagine that any of my suitors will be at ease ever ,” the princess said. “How intimidating! To come to the palace to seek your bride! And I’m sure their fathers and mothers have been lecturing them for days on how to behave, and how important it is that they impress me, and how prestigious it will be for their House if one of their heirs one day becomes king.”
    “I hope they are also explaining to their sons that if they marry you, they may well be gambling their lives,” Valri said in a dry voice. “For if Halchon Gisseltess has his way, you will never sit on the throne, and neither will any man