Mary gazed into Lian's azure eyes, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
The swirling steam blurred their view of each other, and a seductive atmosphere filled the spacious bath chamber.
Carved Angel sculptures on the walls continuously spouted streams of water into the pool, the babbling flow like background music.
"You'd best not get involved directly. I'll help you suppress the news about Catherine annulling the engagement for now."
Mary said slowly.
"If that's the case, we won't have a sufficient pretext to attack Blue Moon Territory."
Lian looked troubled.
"No, we have ample reason."
The corners of Mary's lips curled upward. "Lorne's death is the perfect reason."
Lian froze.
'So after all that, this is what she was getting at.'
