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not within my power.”
    “You are the Lady of the court,” he hissed. “Nothing is beyond your power.”
    The precarious bubble of silence wavered, but a gentle flick of the Lady’s hand enforced the nearly breached walls. She waited until the soft hum of magic resumed before she continued.
    “That is where you are wrong. Destiny is not within my control. You have a great destiny before you, Fiach. One I have waited long years to see realized.” She stood and waited for him to do the same. “Come. We must begin.”
    “Can I see Cilia before the trial begins?”
    She nodded. “I will allow you to escort her to her chambers.”
    Fiach accepted the offer and followed her through the pierced dome of quiet and back into the center of the hall, where Rois was already leading an exuberant Cilia to meet them.
    *
    Fiach’s mother motioned for them to follow and led them away from the great hall, which bristled with the curious stares of her people. Cilia closed her eyes and focused on the warmth of Fiach’s body against hers. The curve of his arm wrapped around her hip so that he bumped into her as they walked. When her eyes opened, he was looking down at her with those dark brooding eyes set in his perfect face. He had apparently taken after his mother in one respect at any rate. He was beautiful but not effeminate. Only pain and desperation could have forged the ruggedness in him.
    They halted outside a pair of floor-to-ceiling double doors. Fiach’s mother pulled them open and stepped inside. As Fiach led Cilia, they entered an opulent bedchamber.
    The high ceiling had been enchanted to look like a summer sky. Clouds danced overhead, white flashes against the cerulean background.
    It reminded her of the eerie majesty of the Butterfly Tree, an illusion of beauty and splendor that attempted to hide something sinister. Dark gray shadows slipped between the white cotton hazes over head. She would ask Fiach to explain them, and the tree, once they were alone.
    “This is to be your D’Ame’s chambers.”
    Cilia passed Fiach a worried glance. His expression was grim.
    “Mother, she is a stranger to this place, to your people. I’m certain she would feel more comfortable sharing a room with me.”
    The Lady laughed. “Do not think I am ignorant as to how you became as she is. Only intercourse is the catalyst for that change. Our ceremonies require you to be celibate during the cleansing and preparations for the Noce .” She stared pointedly at his tented pants. “I can read the taint in your body from your aura.” She smacked her lips as if tasting the air surrounding them. “Fairy Dust. You will not be allowed alone with her until the trial is completed.”
    “Lady I am not wholly Sidhe, nor completely demon, and Cilia is neither. Surely we aren’t required to fulfill such an archaic rite.”
    “You are not either now; you are a Phoenix, as she is. They are an honored part of our extended court.” She smiled tightly. “That means that you both are bound by our archaic rites .”
    Cilia slumped against Fiach’s side, concerned with the prospect of finding sleep beneath the ominous wisps painting the ceiling.
    “Now, now, I am not being cruel. You will thank me for this later.” She pointed to a second set of double doors. “I offer you a concession. I will give my son a room joined to yours, but only if you can abstain.”
    Cilia grabbed the offer with both hands. “I think we can behave ourselves.”
    The Lady cast her an amused look but said nothing.
    “Isn’t it a little early to be putting us to bed?” Cilia asked hesitantly.
    The Lady smiled warmly at her. “It seems but a moment since you awoke, but time moves differently in this place. You will sleep. The enchantment on your bed will ensure that.”
    Cilia opened her mouth to speak.
    The Lady cut off her unasked question. “There will be time enough for answers later.”
    Fiach leaned in to kiss Cilia good night but stopped just before his lips