Page 113 (1/2)

Tavi gently tilted her head up to look at him "We do as we please," he said calive our child all of our love and support, ignore the lahere it could hurt hie to the juris macto anyone who tries to do us har for all the bastard children of the Realhter shade of green as so fierce kindled to life in them "We can do this?"

"I don't see why not," Tavi said "I' to turn against ardless of what excuse they use Anyone who supports s in"

Kitai frowned at him "Chala," she said quietly, "I do not care about other Alerans I care about what you will think"

He took her hands between hers, and said, "I am told that a Marat woman's custom is to offer a potential mate a trial by contest before The One"

She s about it?"

"The professor who gave nment was most insistent," he said drily "I have drawn a few conclusions from this fact"

"Yes?" Kitai asked

"That since the woman chooses the contest, she has ample opportunity to reject her suitor If she doesn't care for him, she simply selects a contest at which he is unlikely to prevail Say, a young woman of Horse doesn't care for the attentions of a Wolf suitor, she challenges him to a horseback race"

Kitai's eyes danced, but her tone and expression were both serious "The One witnesses the contest The Marat most worthy prevails This is known, Aleran"

"Of course," Tavi said "I doubt that The One cares for his children to be forced toMarat ree with you quite loudly But in this, you are very nearly as wise as a Marat woman," Kitai said solemnly "Not quite But very nearly"

"I seem to recall a trial by contest between a certain beautiful young Marat woman and a foolish Aleran youth It was quite a nuo, and the trial was held in the Wax Forest near the Calderon Valley Dih I recall such an ancient ti man was victorious"

Kitai opened her mouth to reply hotly, then seemed to think better of it She let out a rueful chuckle "Only because the young woman willed it so"

"How is that any different fro man as a mate?"

Kitai arched an eyebrow at him "It" She tilted her head "It is not"

"Well, then," he said "According to the laws and customs of your people, for which I have the deepest respect, we have been itimate"

Kitai narrowed her eyes, and a smile haunted her lips "We are not wed That was not a propertrial"

"Why not?" Tavi asked

"Because it was not intended as such!" Kitai said

Tavi waved a hand airily "Intentions count for far less than the consequences of the actions born from them You are my wife"

"I think not," Kitai said

"I know," Tavi said solemnly "But in this, you are less wise than an Aleran male Still, one must tolerate occasional fits of irrational passion fro?"

"A proper challenge!" she replied "You cannot dare think that" Her voice trailed off, and she said, "Oh"