Final Term Visit

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"If I found out that a woman was having Jareth's child, I wouldn't think too kindly of her. Though it would appear she's taking it a little too hard," I agreed. "Would you like me to have a word with her?"

[Soleil Belfours]

"Synnove was conceived before they were involved," I said, a bit sourly. "I wanted to avoid trouble, not be in the midst of it." I looked to her. "But no, thank you. As of now, our conflict is at a standstill, but I will let you know if something happens. This I swore to her, if she tries to hurt my child, if she elicits so much as one tear from my baby's eye, I will make her regret it."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

It seemed that the two of them had seemed to agree on the truce terms, so I was going to let it be. If it worked for them, I wasn't going to interfere.

"I cannot fault you for that," I said with a small smile.

[Soleil Belfours]

"As it should be," I said, taking a sip of water. "Ana, my sister, be honest - Is Malabelle a woman of her word? I have to know."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I nodded. "Yes. Her brother is a piece of work, but Malabelle's word is one that I would trust."

[Soleil Belfours]

I sighed with relief. "I thought Dominic was in prison," I commented. "He won't be making many promises from there, I imagine."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"Supposedly he passed during the plague," I replied, knowing too much to be relaxed on the topic.

[Soleil Belfours]

"Oh," I said. "I'm sorry." I wasn't. Dominic had been a terror and a rapist, but it was the right thing to say. "I imagine that was difficult for your family."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I snorted. "The difficult part was when he resurfaced. He's been writing letters to Mala since his supposed demise."

[Soleil Belfours]

I sat bolt upright in my chair, well as bolt upright as I could. "Oh no, Ana," I said. "I think I was happier thinking he was dead. Does the Queen know?"

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"Oh darling, I didn't mean to worry you," I said, concerned about her condition. "The Queen knows, and she has guards searching. She's been trying to keep it quiet though. It would look bad for her if the general public knew that a convicted rapist managed to slip free from her justice. But I'm sure he'll be caught soon."

[Soleil Belfours]

I relaxed a bit, though I'm sure I still looked worried. "It does look bad," I mused. "Though in all honesty, it's not the Queen's fault that Dominic is cleverer than a couple of guards, and eviller besides. It's a lesson to be learned the hard way."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"But between Dominic and the plague... people will start talking omens," I replied seriously. "If they haven't already."

[Soleil Belfours]

I waved a hand dismissively. "Omens, portents, prophecies," I said. "Nothing but the mumblings of the frightened masses. I will judge the queen by her deeds, and not by the hardships that befall us through no fault of hers."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I smiled. "You might, I might, but not everyone is so enlightened," I said with a chuckle.

[Soleil Belfours]

"At any rate, this isn't Ch'n," I said. "The loss of the mandate of heaven is not enough to overthrow a ruler."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"Not really, but it sure is a good protest cry," I replied with a wry smile. "But enough about such things. What do you want to eat at my wedding?"

[Soleil Belfours]

"The most delicious food you can conjure," I replied. "I will eat just about anything." A thought struck me. "What about that cousin of yours, Aramis? I'll bet he could procure you something delicious."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I tapped the arm of the couch in thought. "I bet he could indeed. That is a fine idea. And I had already been thinking about speaking to cousin Sarielle about flowers. She gave me a lovely rose arrangement for my natale," I told her. "Both choices will kill two birds with one stone. There have been... grumblings about my choice of a husband." I shook my head at the folly of some of my family members.

[Soleil Belfours]

"Better Jareth d'Aiglemort than Gervaise de Morbhan," I pronounced, sipping my water. "I never liked him, you know." I took another sip. "But it would be an excellent idea to include your business-inclined family members in your wedding plans; keep the wealth in the family and all that."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"Yes," I agreed, merely blinking at the mention of Gervaise. I'd had lots of practice in hiding my reactions concerning him. "Thank you for suggesting Aramis. Knowing him, he'll be thrilled."

[Soleil Belfours]

She didn't say anything about Gervaise, which was good. I had hoped she would get over him. "I'm sure he will be," I said. "Where do you want to go on honeymoon?"

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"We haven't discussed it yet. I'd love to travel out of the country though, before we have children to worry about," I said with a wry smile.

[Soleil Belfours]

"I am told that Hellas is a beautiful place to honeymoon," I said. "Aquamarine waters, linen dresses..."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"Mmm, you make it sound irresistible," I said with a chuckle. "I've heard southern Aragonia is much the same along the coast.:

[Soleil Belfours]

"Hellas, Aragonia, I suppose it depends on the sights you want to see...if you want to see them instead of spending all day in bed," I said, giving her a sly look.

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I chuckled. "Yes, there is that. We do keep each other quite well entertained in that respect."

[Soleil Belfours]

"I am happy for you," I said, still grinning. "It is good that you are well matched in all the important aspects."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"Oh yes. He's incredibly perceptive for a man," I said, my grin matching hers.

[Soleil Belfours]

I laughed. "Oh men," I said. "Sometimes they are more trouble than they're worth, but I'm so happy you found a good one."