“You’re still human, Auraya. Just because you have big matters to deal with doesn’t mean the small ones don’t count. Since I’ve taken Dyara’s place as your teacher for this trip, it’s my job to answer all your questions, large or small.”

“I don’t discuss small matters with Dyara.”

Mairae grinned. “I don’t either. All the more reason to talk to me. So?”

“I worry about being lonely,” Auraya admitted.

Mairae nodded. “Everyone fears that, mortal or not. You will find new friends to replace the old.” She smiled. “And lovers, too.”

Like Haime, the Genrian prince? Auraya thought back to the morning, to the young man descending in the Tower cage. She had caught enough of his thoughts to know that he had just left Mairae’s rooms—and what he had been doing for most of the previous night. It had only confirmed that the rumors about Mairae and her lovers were true.

Mairae chuckled. “From the look on your face, I’d guess you’ve heard about mine.”

“Only rumors,” Auraya said evasively.

“It is impossible to keep secrets from other White, even more so from the servants.” She smiled. “It is ridiculous for anyone to expect us to remain celibate for all eternity.” Mairae winked. “The gods haven’t said we must.”

“Have they ever spoken to you?” Auraya asked, seizing the opportunity to change the subject. She suspected that once Mairae started discussing her former lovers, she’d expect Auraya to as well—and she was sure her own experiences would never live up to Mairae’s. “They’ve said nothing to me yet.”

Mairae nodded. “Sometimes.” She paused, her expression becoming distant and rapt. “Yranna likes my taste in men. She’s like a big sister.” She turned to face Auraya. “I’m sure you’ve heard about Anyala, Juran’s great love. Everyone talks about how wonderfully loyal Juran was. Trouble is, he hasn’t had another woman since, and she’s been dead nearly twenty years. That makes it look as if he expects the rest of us to remain celibate, too. You don’t think so, do you?” Mairae looked at Auraya expectantly.

“No. I…I had heard that Juran had a wife once,” Auraya said. She wasn’t having much success steering the conversation away from lovers.

“They were never married,” Mairae corrected. “The gods have been clear about that. No marriage or children. Juran hasn’t even looked at another woman since she died. It’s not healthy. And Dyara…” She rolled her eyes. “Dyara is worse. Such a typical prudish Genrian. She’s had this tragic love affair with Timare for nearly forty years. It’s never been physical. I don’t think she could bear the rest of us seeing her naked in Timare’s thoughts. The way she behaves, so secretive, makes people think that love is something to be ashamed of.”

“Timare?”