heavens forever and-“
“You’re marrying a mage?” Jihan’s winglike brows knitted, but her pointing
finger, with its deadly cold, wavered, and her hand came to rest on her own hip.
“Not a mage. Kama, here. I can divest myself of Rosanda easily enough: she’s
abandoned me. But I’ll need your help in securing Tempus’s permission… he’s
your guardian as well as Kama’s.”
“Guardian?” Both women snapped in unison as two feminine spines stiffened and
two wily women considered alternatives.
“Someone,” Torchholder intoned through the objections of the two women, “must
set the seal on the betrothal pacts,” thinking that he’d found a way to free
Tempus from Jinan and, for that boon alone, Tempus owed him any favor he cared
to ask.
And for Kama’s hand, Kama’s freedom, and Kama’s honor, he’d be glad to call
their debt even. But for Kama’s willing love he needed more. Standing behind
her, his arms circling her in the proper pose of the protective husband, he
whispered: “Trust me in this; accept a formal betrothal. I am sacerdote of
Mother Bey, Vashanka, and Stonnbringer. It will take a month to untangle
the necessary rituals. It will take longer-if you desire.”
The tension along her spine eased. She let her breath out with a careful sigh.
Once more, Molin Torchholder gave fervid thanks to the Stormgod, who had seen
fit to visit rain upon this paltry thieves’ world in all His bounty, to quench
the fires of chaos, and even to restore Jihan’s powers.
Over Kama’s head, as he looked out the window, it seemed to him that even the