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many could be dismissed out of hand by the Court. The rest, Sidonie agreed to review herself.
The moon waned and waxed. The trade routes grew busy. Life in the City began to resume some
of its normal rhythms.
Alais met with her royal parents to speak to them about her desire to end her betrothal to
Talorcan and pursue her studies to become an ollamh. Sidonie and I attended the meeting. They heard
Alais out in silence.
I am willing to give my blessing to this plan, Drustan said when she had finished. As an ollamh
, her stature and influence will be greater than that of a Cruarch s wife. But I do not know if that would
be understood in Terre d Ange.
Far better than it would have been a year ago, Ysandre murmured. Though there is still the
question of succession.
I ve thought about that, too. Alais hesitated. Aunt Breidaia . . . we ve grown close since
Dorelei s death. I think she would be pleased to adopt me as a foster-daughter. And if she did . . .
You d be Talorcan s sister in the eyes of Alban law, Drustan mused, finishing the thought.
Your children would be eligible to be named his heirs.
Alais nodded without speaking.
Ah, love! Ysandre studied Alais face. Is it truly your heart s desire?
It is, Alais said in a steady voice.
Ysandre smiled with sorrow. Then I think I too must consent to give my blessing. If we have
learned naught else, of a surety we have learned the dangers of placing politics over love. Her gaze fell
on Sidonie and me. So one oft-postponed wedding is to be cancelled and one much-thwarted one
announced. I think it would be best if we waited until I ve resumed the throne to issue both
proclamations. I want there to be no question that this was in accordance with my will and done with my
blessing.
And mine, Drustan said quietly.
So it was decided.
The waxing moon grew full. In a small, modest ceremony, Sidonie relinquished the regency and
Ysandre reclaimed the throne. The banns were posted announcing our betrothal. The wedding would
take place the following summer, in one year s time. All of us reckoned the realm needed time yet to
heal, and Sidonie and I would sooner be wed in joy than sorrow. For now it was enough that our
betrothal was recognized and accepted.
There were no protests, no mention of Melisande Shahrizai. Carthage s treachery had
overshadowed hers. The love affair that had strained the realm had proved its salvation.
The world had changed.
A few weeks after Ysandre resumed the throne, word came from Aragonia. Pressed by the
presence of the D Angeline fleet and fearful of further military support coming from Terre d Ange, bereft
of its ambitious general and his sorcerous kinsman, Carthage was cutting its losses and negotiating for a
truce.
Aragonia itself was in disarray. There were factions supporting Serafin L Envers y Aragon and
factions supporting the deposed king, Roderico de Aragon. There were factions that held that the best
compromise was for the childless Roderico to name Serafin his heir. There were factions supporting the
accord with the Euskerri and factions opposing it. After consulting with Sidonie, Ysandre sent a sharply
worded message indicating that if Aragonia failed to honor its bargain with the fledgling sovereign nation
of Euskerria, Terre d Ange would withdraw its naval support, leaving their ports defenseless.
Beyond that, it was their story to tell.
There was talk of retribution against Carthage. As spring wore onto summer, Ysandre convened
Parliament to discuss the matter a Parliament altered and expanded by circumstance. The members of
the shadow Parliament who had helped Alais govern had been inaugurated as official members under
Ysandre s rule. The debate was waged by old members and new, the bright mirror and the dark.
All voices were heard. Sidonie and I spoke against war. We d both seen too much bloodshed.
We both carried our own scars. No amount of further blood would erase them.
In the end it was Hyacinthe s voice that decided it.
He had elected to stay until Drustan returned to Alba. I daresay there was a part of him that
missed the land of his birth. The Master of the Straits was reckoned the equal to the Queen and Cruarch,
and his counsel was always welcome.
It is my thought that our nations have seen enough war for one lifetime, Hyacinthe said, sitting at
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