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Personally, Alexandra thought Vania acted like a slut But Vania was also generous about sharing the use of her enerosity Alexandra never refused whenever she visited that Province She had kept no steady lover in her own court for more than twenty-five years--ever since she had asked Philip to see Leland through her Virgin Night It wouldn’t have been fair to any of them if she had asked him to warhter’s lover, and the other men she had considered since then had been far ht wield as her Consort than in giving her pleasure

But reenerosity--and the fact that no male currently warmedher bed, either--gressive’ if this court re Queens with the basic aritted teeth "And was told that there are no males in this court whose service requirements include that duty"

"I find that hard to believe Not every Queen who comes here would necessarily have a Consort at that ement--" She stopped, shaken by the depth of the insult "It’s because we’re from Terreille, isn’t it?"

"Yes," Philip said flatly "He said there are a few males in the Second and Third Circles ould noruest of the court if asked, but because Terreillean Queens don’t kno to enjoy a ly offer himself" He hesitated "He also said there are no pleasure slaves in Kaeleer"

Thatverbal slap hurt as much as a blow because it was a reminder that, for a few months, Daemon Sadi had been a pleasure slave in her court

"I see," she said tightly

"Despite his anger over the situation, Lucivar actually see baffled "Mostly because Vania’s fixed her efforts on Prince Aaron"

"Aaronis a very handsome man, and--"

"He’s married"

There wasn’t much she could say to that, not when she could feel waves of anxiety rolling off of Philip Vania’s marked attention toward a married man would be a sharp reminder of his own vulnerability

While e contracts in Terreille were being made for social or political reasons, e because it was the one relationship where the genderspartners as was possible--or reasonable It also e requirement, and any man who looked beyond his wife’s bed could swiftly find himself without home or family, could even lose his children

"There’s another reason to curb Vania," Philip said "If the et any more riled "

"I know," Alexandra replied sharply They would never get Wilhelmina and Jaenelle away from the Hall if the males becaain, softening her voice "I’ll talk to her"

"Soon?"

She disliked herself for thinking less of him because of the anxiety in his voice

"Yes, Philip," she said gently, "I’ll talk to her soon"

2 / Kaeleer

An interesting gathering,Daeht as he slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and wondered what it meant when the Steward of the Court summoned the Master of the Guard, the Consort, and the First Escort to his study in order to "discuss so the book of Protocol Saetan had given him and had been surprised by the differences between these rules and the ones he had been taught in TerreilleThis Protocol, while reinforcing the hts and privileges that helped balance the power Which explained the refreshing lack of fear and subservience in these males They understood the boundaries that defined acceptable male behavior, and within those boundaries, they stood on solid ground, never having to wonder ould happen to theer in a particular Lady’s favor

He’d also been surprised by the section of Protocol that involved First Circle uest mention of it in Terreille

There was a phrase that summed up a male’s surrender into forht to do anything she pleased with akill him That wasn’t new, and, in Terreille, it was a serious risk Whatwas different was the tacit agree the ht to have a say in her decisions andher life If a Queen gave an order and the majority of males in her First Circle opposed it, she could yield to their decision or dismiss the her

If the males in Terreille had known about that part of Protocol, they ht have been able to keep the behavior of Dorothea’s pet Queens in check,witches safe and whole, ht the threats of slavery and castration that had e the witches in power

But soed the sections about o that no one had re in Kaeleer such a shock And now it finally rants from Terreille were required to serve in a court They would need that time to absorb the new rules and understand how those rules applied to day-to-day living

Which ive-and-take between a Queen and theto show up

"Did anyone tell Cat she’s supposed to be here?" Lucivar asked, echoing Daeave Lucivar a bland look "I told her However, Lord Ladvarian had already cornered her to discuss a couple of things I expect she’ll be along as soon as she can talk herself around whatever he and Kaelas have in mind" That bland look was then aimed at Daemon