"I tried to tell Merrill there was something wrong with him," I muttered.

"And we all should have paid attention. We did not know, cara. We failed to realize that you would not say something like that unless it was important. We know better, now. Did you know that Fox foresaw what you did to the Elemaiya? Merrill told me this, not long ago after Anthony and I were given the abilities by Kiarra."

"I haven't heard that before," I mumbled and snuggled closer against Gavin.

"Fox it was who snatched the Khos'Mirai away from the Ra'Ak in the beginning, to ransom her father and brother, whom the Bright Elemaiya had kidnapped. When she brought the Khos-Mirai back to them, she learned they'd allowed her father to die while they held him and her brother captive. Fox pronounced their doom at that moment. She told them that one day the most unlikely one of all would stand before them and bring justice."

"Yeah, too bad they didn't pay attention. They just went right out and signed up with their Dark cousins. And the Ra'Ak, too."

"I know." Gavin leaned in to give me a kiss. A really good kiss.

"Honey, you've always tasted as good as you smell to me," I stroked his cheek.

"I remember the first time I kissed you—I couldn't stop myself from biting. I am sorry for the compulsion after—very sorry, cara."

"Kiss me again and we won't talk about that," I said. Gavin complied.

* * *

"Here is a list of available surrogates." Erland set a microcomputer in front of Garde. "Poradina has two friends on this list, so it wouldn't be a bad thing if they were together in this. The money would be well spent, too. I've already spoken with Poradina—she's willing to have in-vitro fertilization. I just need to track those Larentii down."

"You may stop searching; we are here and we know what you want," Connegar folded in with Reemagar. "The Wise Ones called us in and they support this decision completely. Therefore, we will willingly redesign the donor eggs with integrated DNA from Lissa. The egg will be hers in all respects when we finish."

"I think you just made my millennia," Erland smiled.

"Graegar says to choose this one," Reemagar pointed out a name on the list that Garde was staring at on the microcomputer.

"Evaline? That's one of Poradina's friends," Erland remarked, looking over Garde's shoulder.

"Yes, Graegar was quite positive about that," Reemagar nodded. "We want this to go as smoothly as possible for Lissa, as well as the surrogates. The choice you made, Lord Morphis, along with her friend, yields the best possible outcome."

"Now all we have to do is approach Lissa with this and hope she likes the idea. I certainly don't want to upset her. These will be her babies, in every respect. She just won't carry them."

Erland had already sent mindspeech to Wylend. Wylend had agreed to put up the fees for both surrogates, as a gift to his granddaughter, Lissa. He and Erland would be ready with the detachment spell, too, if it were needed. Erland didn't think it would be—both women knew the child would not be theirs and they had readily volunteered when they learned Lissa was unable to bear children of her own. Poradina had two grown children; Evaline had one.

"We will come with you and explain that the donated eggs will become hers," Connegar said. "I hope she will like this from the start—I do not wish to be forced to convince her it is a good idea. The Wise Ones think this is very important."

"I think it's important too, but everything depends on Lissa liking it," Garde observed. "When do we go to her?"

"We will come in two days—she will feel better then and the marriage between Shadow Grey and Melida of Belancour will be complete." Reemagar didn't look as if he appreciated that fact. Not even a little.

"You know something." Erland stared up at the eight-foot Larentii. Reemagar was tall, but Connegar towered over Reemagar by a foot and a half.

"The Wise Ones say we may not interfere. Therefore, we will not. Things will progress as they will, no matter our feelings in this."

* * *

Cheedas brought in both candidates he'd selected to take Giff's place. Winkler came with me—he was good at interviewing, so we met in my study. Norian was lurking outside when Winkler walked down the hall with me, a solicitous hand at my back.

"Norian Keef, do I get a moment to interview assistants, first?" I still felt grumpy at his high-handedness. I think I made a face at him, too. He deliberately ignored it.

"Of course. May I sit in?"

"Oh, sure. Do you intend to ask questions on how they intend to keep my closet updated, just to make sure it meets ASD guidelines?" My hands were on my hips as I bristled at Norian's intended interference.

"I'm not any good at that sort of thing," Norian grinned. "The ASD only has uniform guidelines. A Queen's garb has never been standard ASD issue." Was he teasing? Where was that coming from? Gavin told me the man was a total bear until I'd hauled him off to Twylec. Now he was all smiles and sunlight. Go figure. "But I would still like to sit in," he continued, his expression turning serious.

"Fine. Sit in," I huffed. Cheedas had a tray of tea, coffee and pastry sitting on my desk as we walked inside my study, and Heathe and Grant were already eating. Cheedas and the two candidates were sitting in guest chairs, waiting for my arrival.

"These two are vampires?" Norian nodded toward Grant and Heathe, who were grinning and eating cherry turnovers.

"Yes," I sighed. "I sure as hell hope you know how to keep secrets, Norian Keef."

"Oh, I know how to keep secrets," he agreed. "Very well." He helped himself to the turnovers and coffee. Winkler and I just had coffee, although mine was mixed with cream and sugar.

"This is Taff, and this is Mora," Cheedas introduced the two comesuli. They were both shy—I don't think they'd been this close to me before. I didn't recognize their scents, I knew that much.

"So, you both want to wait on me, buy my clothes and keep up with my closet and my suite?" I asked.

"Oh, yes, Raona," Taff sounded breathless with anticipation. I did some Looking—they would both be female vampires one day. They were still very young, too—less than sixty. That was young for comesuli.

"Raona, I want this very much," Mora chimed in. "My parent would be so happy if I became an assistant to the Queen."

"Both have worked in the clothing shops in Casino City, but have not been treated well," Cheedas supplied. I blinked at my cook in alarm.

"Have those jerks who think they're fashion experts been mistreating my people?" I demanded.

"Only one or two," Cheedas replied with a shrug.

"Can you give me names? I'll have this investigated right away." Grant put his plate down and was poised to enter information into his handheld. "Grant, have Trevor look into this—those people signed contracts before they got here. If they haven't adhered to those contracts, I want to know and I want their butts in these seats as quickly as possible. They'll be off this planet before they can sneeze if they're fucking employees around." Grant nodded and entered the names Cheedas, Taff and Mora supplied.

"Already transmitted to Trevor's office," Grant nodded and set his handheld down.

"Good. Keep me advised on that. Tell Trevor to let me know as soon as possible."

"Already done," Grant smiled.

"Perfect. Now, where were we?" I turned back to Taff and Mora.

"We know where all the good clothing can be found," Taff said. "Mora and I would go through the shops every week just to see what the others had. The good jewelry, too. Plus, we know where to order—we took care of that for our employer, who went out gambling every afternoon."

"That's another violation," I nodded to Grant. The shop owners weren't allowed to gamble; it was one of the few rules that had migrated from Campiaa. No casino employees of any kind, or shop owners or casino owners were allowed to gamble. There was too much opportunity for crime to enter the picture.

Winkler asked standard questions after that. He and I were both satisfied and we settled on duties, off-days and salary. I had two new assistants before midmorning. Cheedas offered to take them to my suite so they could get started, so I turned to Norian. "What's the problem du jour?" I asked as sweetly as I could. He didn't understand the French phrase. Winkler explained it for him.

"We have information from Trell," Norian said. "We're having some trouble there—one of my investigators disappeared a while back. I need to find out what happened to him. I was hoping you might get me there quickly, when you're able," Norian held up a hand, holding off my questions. "My agent was investigating an influx of money into the royal treasury and we want to know what that's about. Trell wasn't one of the worlds that wanted to approve their own religions without Alliance interference, but you can't ever tell about these things. Perhaps they only wanted to draw attention away from the fact that this is what they intended anyway."

"We can go next week," I said. "I think."

"That is what I was hoping for," Norian said, rising from his seat. "I'll be checking in with you occasionally."

"I'm sure you will," I muttered.

"Of course I will. I don't think I've ever enjoyed an assignment as much as this." Norian was smiling as he strutted out of my study.

"Raona, wait until you see what we've done," Grant and Heathe hauled out plans for Niff's Sweet Shop when Norian was out of hearing range. Not only had my assistants arranged for the shop to be purchased in Casino City, but another in Sun City, the version of Casino City located near the beach on the light half of Le-Ath Veronis.

"Not bad," Winkler went over the plans with me while Grant and Heathe talked excitedly about setting up the businesses.