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"It was Verin’s suggestion," Baldwin said "And after all, you are my sister, too" "That settles it, then Diana will serve on the Congregation until she tires of the job" Ysabeau kissed me on one cheek, then the other "Just think of how much it will upset Gerbert when he discovers what Baldwin has done"

Still feeling dazed, I slid the key back into my pocket

"It has turned into a beautiful day," Ysabeau said, looking out into the spring sunlight "Let us take a walk in the garden before dinner Alain and Marthe have prepared a feast--without Fernando’s help

Marthe is in an extrehter and chatter followed our family out the door Matthew handed Becca off to Sarah

"Don’t be long, you two," Sarah said

Once ere alone, Matthew kisseddeeper and less desperate It was a ree was still not fully in check and ht in Venice, ained his equilibriuh I should warn you: Gerbert is up to no good He tried to thwart me at every turn"

"What did you suspect?" Matthew stepped into the garden to join the rest of the faaht my eye I stopped in my tracks

"Diana?" Matthew looked back at ?"

"In a ely but joined the last of the family as they trooped outside

I knew you would be the first to see me Philippe’s voice was a whisper of sound, and I could still see Ysabeau’s horrid furniture through hi, his eyes sparkling with amusement and affection

"Why er need aze met mine

"The covenant--" I started

I heard I hear rin widened I am proud that it was one of my children that destroyed it You have done well

"Is seeing youback the tears

One of them, Philippe said In time you will have the others

"Ean to fade "No! Don’t go I won’t ask questions Just tell her I love her"

She knows that So does your mother Philippe winked I am utterly surrounded by witches Do not tell Ysabeau She would not like it

I laughed

And there is ood behavior Noant no er rose I am heartily sick of them

"What do you want instead?" I wiped atHis expression was randchildren

"I had to ask," I said with another laugh

But the future will not be all laughter, I fear Philippe’s expression sobered Your work is not done, daughter The goddess asked old-and-silver arrow that I had shot into Benjamin’s heart

"I don’t want it" I backed away, ift

I didn’t want it either, and yet someone must see that justice is done His arm extended further

"Diana?" Matthew called fro !" I called back

Philippe’s eyes filled with syolden point hesitantly The moment my flesh made contact with it, the arrow vanished and I felt its heavy weight at my back once more

From the first moment we met, I knew you were the one, Philippe said His words were a strange echo of what Tiain at his house

With a final grin, his ghost began to dissipate

"Wait!" I cried "The one what?"

The one who could bear my burdens and not break, Philippe’s voice whispered in my ear I felt a subtle press of lips on hter

I bit back a sob at his departure

"Diana?" Matthew called again, this time frohost"

I had, but this was not the ti, but Philippe wanted joy, not sorrow

"Dance with le tear could fall

Matthew foldedus out of the salon and into the great hall He asked no questions, even though the ansere into lead again," he murmured He pressed a kiss to my lips, then whirled ot," I said with a laugh

"I’ll have to reht to his body His kiss was rough enough to be a warning and sweet enough to be a proht as alked out into the garden