“Now, Lady Searus, we have seamstresses standing by, back in the apartment of the First Wizard, my apartment, waiting to make you the wedding dress of your choice. I’m a generous man. The choice is to be up to you. They will make any dress you wish to be wed in. You see? I wish you to be pleased. Now that I think of it, though, I guess I would prefer that it not be white, because, well, you have been married to a First Wizard before.

“We have food and drink being prepared for tomorrow afternoon’s grand event. We have people from far and wide coming to attend the momentous gathering, everyone hoping to see the Midlands brought back together under a new First Wizard, hoping to see Lady Searus leading the way by giving her hand in marriage to the new First Wizard, showing that she places her trust in me, and thus, so can they.

“So, you see, the choice is yours.”

Magda tried to think, but listening to Tilly’s muffled cries was making it impossible to think. She couldn’t figure out what she could do. She couldn’t come up with a way out of it.

And then she realized that there was nothing to think about. There was no choice.

Magda swallowed again. “All right.”

“All right, what?” He smiled a wicked smile. “If you accept my proposal of marriage, then say it.”

With Tilly’s life hanging in the balance, this was no time to tempt his temper. Magda had never felt so low, so humiliated.

“Yes, First Wizard Lothain, I accept your proposal of marriage. I’ll do it. I’ll do as you say.”

“And exactly as I say. With grace and dignity.”

“Yes. Just as you say. I promise. Now let her go.”

Lothain smiled at Tilly’s wide-eyed terror. He turned back to Magda. “In due time, my dear. In due time.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that after you keep your word, after everyone sees that you are recanting all the accusations you made against me in the depth of your mindless grief, and after you prove to everyone your sincerity in that retraction by becoming my wife to show your support of me and your belief that I am the man to be First Wizard, then we will release her. But not before.

“If you carry out your part with a smile and gracious good cheer at my appointment as well as our marriage, all your other friends will never know how close they came to suffering a terrible fate. Their lives will be in your hands. If you do as you have promised, then they will celebrate in your joy at being the new wife to the new First Wizard.”

Magda was nodding. “As long as you promise to keep your word.”