“Sometimes it seems to me that that’s al my life has been, a series of things that I loved deeply that I could never have.”

“I’m sorry,” I said in a smal voice.

“Don’t be.” She waved it off. “I made my choices, and I did the best I could.” She forced a smile at me. “And look at me. This is your birthday. I shouldn’t be whining to you.”

“You’re not whining.” I wiped at my eyes as discreetly as I could and took another sip of my tea. “And I’m glad you told me.”

“Anyway, we need to talk about switching the rooms around,” Elora said, brushing her hair back from her face. “I plan to leave most of my furniture in here, unless you’d like to change it, which is your prerogative, of course.”

“Switching what rooms?” I asked, confused.

“You’re taking my room after you get married.” She motioned around us. “This is the wedding chamber.”

“Oh, right. Of course.” I shook my head to clear the confusion.

“I’ve been so busy with everything else that I’d forgotten.”

“It’s no matter,” she said. “It shouldn’t be much work to move things around, since it wil be only personal items we’re moving in and out. I’l have some of the trackers move my things out Friday, and I’l be staying in the room down the hal.”

“They can move my things in then,” I said. “And Tove’s things too, since he’l be sharing the room with me.”

“How is that going?” Elora leaned back in her chair, studying me. “Are you prepared for the wedding?”

“Aurora is certainly prepared for it,” I sighed. “But if you’re asking if I’m prepared to be married, I’m not sure. But I guess I’l wing it.”

“You and Tove wil be alright,” she smiled at me. “I’m certain of it.”

“You’re certain?” I raised an eyebrow. “Did you paint it?” Elora had the ability of precognition, but she could only paint her visions of the future in static images.

“No,” she laughed, shaking her head. “It’s mother’s intuition.” I ate a little more, but she only picked at the food. We talked, and it was strange to think that I’d miss her when she was gone. I hadn’t actualy known her for that long, and most of that time our relationship had been cold.

When I left, she was climbing back in bed and asked me to send someone up to clean the mess from breakfast. Duncan was waiting outside the door for me, and he went in to take care of the plates.

While Duncan was with busy with Elora, I stopped at Loki’s room to see how he was feeling. If he was better, I wanted to find out what was going on.