Heritage Of Hastur

Li

I was at a loss what to say to her. She was my kinswoman, or had been so presented to me, although the relationship could not be very close. Perhaps that was it—Java

She glanced quickly at Java

I bluntly said. “What is this all about?”

Forgetting her careful briefing in ma

“Tell me what?” I demanded.

Her cheeks were like ba

Damn them! Trying to run my life again!

The girl’s gray eyes were wide, her childish mouth trembling. I quickly fought to control my anger, barrier myself. She was obviously very sensitive, at least an empath, perhaps a telepath. I hoped, helplessly, that she wouldn’t cry. None of this was her fault. I could just guess how her parents had been bribed or threatened, how she herself had been coaxed and flattered with the lure of a fine marriage to the heir of the Domain.

“Just what did they tell you about me, Li

She looked confused. “Only that you’re Lord Alton’s son, that you’ve served in the Arili

“And you think you can bear that disgrace?”

“Disgrace?” She looked puzzled. “Many of us in the Hellers have Terran blood; there are Terrans in my family. Do you think it is a disgrace?”

What could anyone her age know of this kind of court intrigue? I felt revolted, remembering Dyan’s gloating look.

Busy with his own affairs … Evidently he had known this was in the wind.

“ Damisela, I have no mind to marry, and if I did I would not let Council choose a wife for me.” I tried to smile, but I suspect it was grim enough. “Don’t look so downcast, chiya, a maiden as pretty as you will soon find a husband you’ll like better.”

“I have no particular wish to marry,” she said with composure. “I had intended to apply for admission at one of the towers; my great-granddame was trained as a Keeper, and it seemed to her I was well fitted for it. But I have always obeyed my family and if they had chosen me a husband, I was not ill-content. I am only sorry that I seem not to please you.”

She was so calm that I felt trapped, almost frantic. “It is not that you displease me, Li

When I was a little calmer I said, “Nothing is irrevocable yet. You can tell whoever put you up to this—my father, old Hastur, whoever—you can tell them you don’t like me and that will be the end of it.”

She smiled, a faint amused flicker. “But I do like you, DomLewis,” she said. “I won’t lie about it, even if I thought I could. Lord Ke

If she had been less young, less naive, I might have flung at her that she could hardly be expected to give up a marriage into Comyn without protest. Even so, I am sure she caught the thought, for she looked distressed.

I shut out her thoughts and said flatly, “A woman should have the privilege of refusing. I thought to spare you the offense of hearing me say to my father that I did not—” I discovered that I could not simply say that I did not like her. I amended it and said, “That I did not intend to marry at their bidding.”

Her composure was disquieting. “No one marries at his own will. Do you really feel that a marriage between us would be unendurable, Lew? It is obvious that they will arrange some marriage or other for you.”

For a moment I wavered. She was evidently sensitive and intelligent; she had been considered for tower training, which meant laran. My father had evidently gone to some pains to choose a woman who would be maximally acceptable to me, one with Terran blood, one capable of that emotional and mental fusion a telepath must have in any woman he is to know intimately. She was pretty. She was no empty-minded doll, but had wit and poise. For a second I considered. Sooner or later I must marry, I had always known that. A Comyn heir must father children. And, the Gods knew, I was lonely, lonely …

And my father, damn him, had counted on just this reaction!My anger flared anew. “ Damisela, I have told you why I will not be party to any marriage made as this one was made. If you choose to believe that I have rejected you personally, that is your affair.” I drank the last in my wineglass and set it down. “Allow me to conduct you to my kinswomen, since Java

Java

Gabriel had claimed a dance from Li

My rage mounted as I circled the floor, looking for my father. Dyan had known and Hastur had known—how many others had been dragged into this? Had they held a Council meeting to discuss the fate of Lord Alton’s bastard heir? How long had it taken them to find a woman who would have me? They’d had to go far afield, I noticed, and get one young enough to obey her father and mother without question! I supposed I ought to feel flattered that they’d picked a nice looking one!