After informing the king of Starlex's arrival, Rigel ran to the harbor, jumped on the first skiff he saw and commanded the captain to sail out to meet the Skaards.

"Heavens, you stink!" he blurted when he clasped Starlex in his arms.

“Good old Rigel,” Starlex said with a laugh.

As if remembering his status in Oran court, Rigel turned from his cousin to address Bonn Skaard. “Thank you for returning our dear girl home to us. You will be rewarded handsomely, I am sure."

Bonn nodded brusquely, whistled, and then barked orders to his crew, including Leiffen and three other men, as they steered toward Oran Harbor.

"Not too friendly is he?" Rigel whispered to Starlex. "There is a certain beastly attractiveness about him. If oily muscles are your thing. Personally, I prefer--"

"Please, Rigel," Starlex said pressing a finger to her cousin's lips, "you are talking about my husband."

The color drained from Rigel's cheeks for a moment. Gripping the gunwale to collect himself, he was uncharacteristically silent for a moment. The deck creaked beneath their feet and a flock of gulls circled above their heads.

"You married him?" Rigel asked with a choke.

"Yes," she said.

Having recovered his shock, Rigel was about to say something crass, but when he observed the sparkle of happiness in Starlex's violet eyes, he clasped her once again in his arms.

Once they disembarked the ship, Starlex and Bonn were whisked away by palace guards to the King's war chamber. Thinking they might need a liaison, Rigel accompanied them. Bonn initially balked at leaving his crew behind, but Rigel assured him they would be taken to the dining hall where they would be fed and given a chance to rest.

Starlex clung to her husband as they traversed the winding staircases leading to Scipio's sanctuary. The palace contours were alien to her.

The sentry announced them to the king. Starlex bowed before him.

"Stand," he commanded, opening his arms to her.

Shyly, she submitted to his embrace while Dolceto Davadas stood by, regarding Bonn Skaard with quiet disdain.

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"You are tired," said the king holding Starlex at arm's length, "and you need to get out of these ridiculous clothes."

"They are not ridiculous where the wind is cold and the snow deep." Bonn's baritone penetrated the stifling atmosphere of the darkened chamber.

"No," the king met the Skaard's ice-blue gaze, "but we are not in Kadaar, and she is about to expire in those furs. Rigel,"

"Your Grace?"

"Take Starlex to her room. Have the women bathe her, feed her, and put her to bed."

"Right away."

"But," Starlex started, addressing the king. "There is something I need to tell you--"

Before she could continue, Rigel grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

"Now is not the time. Trust me," Rigel said in a hushed tone.

Starlex cast an anxious gaze back at her husband as Rigel rushed her from the chamber.

Bonn's ice-blue gaze pierced the sanctuary's gloom with a look of love.

Rigel led Starles to her old chamber, freshly aired and cleaned, and perfumed with incense. Rigel dismissed the two serving women, informing them he would take care of his cousin.

The scented bath was already drawn. Rigel theatrically averted his eyes while she peeled off her hides and skins, dropped them into a filthy pile on the marble floor, and then stepped into the bath. The warm water felt heavenly on her skin. Rigel poured two glasses of wine and handed her one.

"Welcome home, my dearest."

Starlex smiled and took a sip. Dipping her shoulders beneath the water, she felt herself relax despite her worry.

"So," Rigel sat on the edge of the tub staring down at her with loving, but inquisitive violet eyes. "Tell me all about your husband."

* * *

Overjoyed to hear of her return, Flenn Illymium sent the fastest raven to Roselynn Davadas' home to tell the queen the news she had been waiting for many moons to hear.

Hyperia received it with a mixture of ecstasy and consternation. Flenn mentioned Bonn Skaard was with her. Hyperia's thighs trembled when she recalled the ruggedly handsome warrior from Skaard. Compared to most men, he was not easily manipulated. She had seen that during their first meeting.

And Starlex is such a silly fool; she'd give it away to the first man who said I love you. She may already be carrying his brat!

She rushed through Roselynn's home, calling for Yewen Illymimium. She discovered the old counselor weeding his herb garden.

"I need to return to Oran immediately." Hyperia's face was flush, her bosom heaving.

"I will prepare the carriage right away." Yewen groaned as he straightened his back and brushed the dirt from his hands.

"That will take too long. I will ride to Oran myself."

"But, milady, do you think it's wise to ride--in your, eh, condition?"

"Out of my way, fool!" Hyperia gave Yewen a shove, causing the old man to lose his footing and tumble into a hemlock bush.

"You stay here!" she barked, crossing the lawn to the stable. "And if Roselynn so much as farts I want to hear about it!"

Fuming, Hyperia entered the stable. The half-witted boy they had brought with them from Oran was asleep in the straw. She roused him with a sharp kick.

"Saddle up Blaze," she said, and be quick about it."

"You mean the yearling? But's he's barely broke, Milady."

"Do what I say or I'll break you!" She raised a fist.

The lad jumped to his feet and quickly saddled up the flighty yearling.

She returned to the house to change into her riding habit and by evening she was flying over the green hills of Terragonian Bluff heading back to Oran, back to Starlex.