Despite the recent turmoil, a fragile peace settled over the palace with guards stationed more firmly than ever, their vigilance unbrojen. The other Fialova, a shadowy mirror of the bride, now languished in the depths of the palace dungeons.
But that was not the worry. Not right now, when Argider has yet to face another duty.
Consummation.
Night descended, bringing with it the long-anticipated hour of their pact. This time, Argider would not and could not flee as she had before. The weight of inevitability pressed heavily upon her; there was no escape. She would have to face what lay ahead.
Besides, it wasn't as if she was entirely opposed to this. Really, how could she blame Fialova? After all, she had shamelessly come dangerously close to committing adultery with this very girl.
Who wouldn't want to stake a claim after that? The only trouble was, in her current predicament, Argider wasn't exactly the one doing the claiming.
