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she would not collapse. "It is an interest of mine, Your Majesty."

"Perhaps you hit him by luck?" the king offered.

It was an opportunity to escape, but she would not take it. With only a slight glance at Bey, she said, "No, sire. I am quite skilled with a bow, though more so with a pistol. As these skills have twice saved the man I love, I cannot regret them."

A new burst of exclamations from the crowd around.

Bey took her hand. "Lady Arradale and I have a debate ongoing about who should be protecting whom, sire, but I admit that I cannot regret it either. A strong, courageous wife, skilled in the defense of herself and others, is a pearl beyond price."

Diana's breath caught, in joy at the declaration, but in fear at the challenge he had just thrown down before the king. Few here would know that it went against the king's beliefs, but the king recognized it, and his expression froze.

After a moment, he said, "I see, I see. Well, let each man choose his own meat, I say, and," he said, turning his back, "let us all go and choose our meat from the marquess's feast, what? What?"

He led the way out of the ballroom, the company streaming after, buzzing now with speculation that the great marquess might be out of royal favor. For seeking to marry the peculiar countess?

In moments, Diana and Bey were alone beneath the full, glowing moon.

She waited for him to speak, but then plunged in herself.

"Wife?" she asked.

He suddenly took both her hands. "Do I assume too much? There is still risk - "

"Life is risk!"

He laughed softly. "I think someone else said that to me recently. And," he said, humor wiped away, "brought another dark thought to mind. You bearing my children."

"Dark?" she queried, a sick feeling growing. Could he still not accept that possibility?

"Your mother did not bear children well."

She sucked in a deep, relieved breath. "My mother bore me very well, apparently. She could not carry her other babes long enough, that is all."

"That must be heartbreaking of its own."

"So," she said, "I carry a risk too. I'm willing to trust the wings and fly."

He brought her hands slowly to his lips. "I am unaccustomed to allowing myself such wicked self-indulgence."

She brought their joined hands to her lips and kissed his, holding them tightly. "I'm not. Surrender to Diana and the moon."

Was heaven almost in her hands?

His eyes were dark and steady. "I have been lectured on the beauties of imperfection. I am, all imperfection, yours, if you do not mind."

She stared at him in dazed disbelief. This was true? He was hers? If she did not mind?

"A full life," he said, "with risks as a full life must have. But if the gods are kind, with love, joy, and fruitful labors."

She wrapped her arms around and hugged him as tightly as she could. "Damn you, I'm going to cry."

She felt him laugh, then his lips on her unmasked cheek, kissing away tears. He pulled off his own mask, then hers, then kissed her, questing at first, then settling.

Their kiss, with all the magic it had brought them from the first.

Entwined, they kissed beneath the glowing moon, a kiss unhindered this time by other things. They explored the different textures and tastes, blending souls through heat and moisture, assuring themselves that yes, the maze was conquered, the battle won, the wondrous flight begun.

After, she leaned against his chest, within his arms.

"Was that yes?" he asked, but a deep warm contentment in his voice told her he knew.

"I want to be alone," she whispered. "Together, alone, for days. Weeks. Forever."

She felt his head rub against hers. "In time, for a little time. Now, alas, we must deal with the aftermath. But first," he added, "I have a star for you if you will take it, my lady."

He slid the ring off his little finger, and held out his hand.

Trembling, she placed her left hand in his. "I feel as if I could truly fly. Shall we go up to the roof and try?"

He laughed. "Reckless wench. Even with a Malloren, all things are not possible."

"Reckless," she said, savoring it. "Are you a little reckless now, Bey?"

"I am what I am, love, and somewhat raw with newness, but like a newborn I need you as I need breath. Can you bear it?"

"Can I bear anything else?"

"A miracle then," he said, sliding the ring onto her finger. "And thus impossible. Like a perpetual