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“You drive a hard bargain,” said Callen. “It may not be my place to arrange my lady’s future, but her father isn’t here. So I’ll say it’s not his place, either, and he showed that by bartering her off to Segetia.” The way he said the name, the king might have betrothed Cassia to Hedon’s privy-sweeper. “In Lord Hadrian’s absence, it falls to me to make sure she’s treated as she ought to be.”
Lio bowed again. “That is precisely why I have come tonight to petition you for her hand.”
Callen drew himself up. Perita exchanged glances with Cassia.
Of course, Cassia had already decided where her hand and the rest of her would remain for eternity. She and Lio had agreed, however, that it would strengthen their political position if they secured Callen and Perita’s support.
They had also admitted to each other it mattered to have her friends’ blessing. The spirit of it would not get lost in translation between Tenebran and Hesperine custom.
Cassia gestured toward the sitting room. “Why don’t we all take a seat and discuss this together?”
They went into the next room, and Lio seated Cassia on a couch. Callen showed Perita to a chair as if he expected spikes were hiding in the silk padding. Then Lio sat down beside Cassia at a respectful distance. Callen stood at attention beside his wife.
Lio embarked on the speech he and Cassia had rehearsed together. “The first matter of concern is, I believe, a betrothal promise recently finalized under Tenebran law. Although that agreement has no legality in Orthros, I want you to be satisfied Cassia and I shall not live in violation of sacred oaths.”
“Well, if there isn’t a way to break that promise after all,” said Callen. “If tiptoeing over a border is enough to bring Segetia’s claim on her to naught, I am satisfied as to that.”
“I am happy to free your lady from such an unworthy match. I know, however, it will be difficult for me to demonstrate my worthiness. Ask me anything you will, and I will strive to reassure you. She will want for nothing. I will never betray her by so much as looking upon another. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe and happy.”
Callen crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re a diplomat, quick with words. At the risk of offending my lady, I’ll speak the plain truth. You’re also a heretic and a sorcerer. It’s not our way in Tenebra to take such a character’s word for anything.”
“How would you have me prove my intentions to you? Only name it.”
“I ask no more and no less of you than of myself. You must be willing to die for her. There is only one proper bride price for any woman, and that is her husband’s life.”
Lio met Callen’s gaze and looked into the unflinching eye of judgment. “In this, our creed is the same. My life is already hers. I live for her, and I would die for her. Let my deeds speak for me.”
Callen’s answer was a single nod. “Aye, and so they do.”
Cassia let out the breath she’d been holding, so quietly only Lio could hear.
“Thank you, Callen,” Lio said. “From a man of your deeds, that means a great deal to me.”
Callen looked on, grave, but without censure. “You’d little enough reason to face off with a war mage for the sake of Tenebra’s Council. You could have fled the Equinox Summit to save your own hide, like mages say slippery Hesperines always do. But you stayed. That’s more than many men would have done. While I was flat on my back, you saved my lady’s life, and from a foe who would have laughed at my sword. The oldest law is trial by combat, older than your ways or mine. By that ancient test, you have proved yourself worthy and won her hand in all fairness.”
“No man has ever honored me with such words. I take your judgment to heart. I will not disappoint you.”
“Thank you,” Cassia told Callen. “This means so much to both of us.” She turned to Perita.
“You know you already have my blessing.” Perita eyed Lio. “My lady has high standards, and she says you’ve met them. She’s the frostiest in the kingdom. I suppose it would take a Hesperine to get through the ice.”
Cassia laughed and rose to her feet. Lio followed suit, watching her go to her friend. She and Perita held each other for a moment. It was that gesture of love that dimmed Lio’s mood for the first time. He hated that he must part Cassia from the few people she cared about. She could look forward to countless friends here, but none were a substitute for the first and dearest one she had won for herself.
“I want to thank you both,” Lio said, “for everything you have done for Cassia. Know that I and my bloodline consider ourselves bound to you in gratitude. If there is anything we can do for you, you have but to ask.”
Perita pulled back, taking her husband’s arm again. “Imagine having one of Orthros’s oldest families in debt to us. Are we so well off that we can afford to scorn such an advantage? We may have Lady Valentia’s purse, but no amount of gold can buy your health. Even an Akesian healer from Cordium can’t do what Hesperines can.”
“You’ve shown great respect for our traditions in this, for my lady’s sake.” Callen looked at Perita. “For my wife, I’ll try to find it in myself to endure the touch of magic, even if it is Hesperine. I ask only that the Semna take part in the healing. Maybe that’ll save my chances at Anthros’s Hall. With two good knees, I can kneel in the Sun Temple for the rest of my life praying for forgiveness.”
Tears glittered in Perita’s eyes. “All the gods be praised!”
Her aura was so felicitous, Lio fancied she might really mean all the gods, Hespera included. But just in case, he offered up his own silent prayer of thanks.
“You’ll need two good knees,” Cassia predicted, “to keep up with a child of your union.”
Lio folded his hands behind his back, if only to emphasize he was not one to snatch pregnant women to foster Hespera’s dark brood. “Would you accept a Hesperine’s congratulations on the forthcoming addition to your family?”
“No, sir,” Perita replied. “But we’ll accept congratulations from my lady’s intended.”
