He stood to go.

“Tallanvor,” she said, almost in a whisper. “You’ve never asked me, you know. If I would have you.”

“I can’t put you into that position. It wouldn’t be right to force you to do what we both know you must, now that you have been exposed.”

“And what must I do?”

“Turn me down,” he spat, obviously growing angry. “For the good of Andor.”

“Must I?” she asked. “I keep telling myself that, Tallanvor, but still I question it.”

“What good am I to you?” he asked. “At the very least, you should marry to help Elayne secure the loyalty of one of the factions you offended.”

“And so I go to marriage without love,” she said. “Again. How many times must I sacrifice my heart for Andor?”

“As many times as required, I suppose.” He sounded so bitter, clenching his fists. Not angry at her, but at the situation. He always had been a man of such passion.

She hesitated, then shook her head. “No,” she said. “Not again. Tallanvor, look at that sky above. You’ve seen the things that walk the world, felt the Dark One’s curses strike us. This is not a time to be without hope. Without love.”

“But what of duty?”

“Duty can bloody get in line. It’s had its share of me. Everyone’s had their share of me, Tallanvor. Everyone but the man I want.” She stepped over his sword, still lying in the cockleburrs, then couldn’t stop herself. In a blink, she was kissing him.

“All right, you two,” a stern voice said from behind. “We’re going to see Lord Aybara right now.”

Morgase pulled away. It was Lini.

“What?” Morgase tried to regain some composure.

“You’re getting married,” Lini declared. “If I have to pull you to it by the ears.”

“I will make my own choice,” Morgase said. “Perrin tried to get me to—”

“I’m not him,” Lini said. “This is best done before we return to Elayne. Once you’re in Caemlyn there will be complications.” She turned her eyes on Gill, who had the trunk stowed. “And you! Unpack my Lady’s things.”

“But Lini,” Morgase protested, “we’re going to Caemlyn.”

“Tomorrow will be soon enough, child. Tonight, you celebrate.” She eyed them. “And until the marriage is done, I don’t think it’s safe to trust you two alone.”

Morgase flushed. “Lini,” she hissed. “I’m not eighteen anymore!”

“No, when you were eighteen, you were married proper. Do I need to seize your ears?”

“I—” Morgase said.

“We’re coming, Lini,” Tallanvor said.

Morgase glared at him.

He frowned. “What?”

“You haven’t asked.”

He smiled, then held her close. “Morgase Trakand, will you be my wife?”

“Yes,” she replied. “Now let’s find Perrin.”

Perrin tugged on the oak branch. It broke off, powdery wood dust puffing out. As he held the branch up, sawdust streamed out of the end onto the brown grass.

“Happened last night, my Lord,” Kevlyn Torr said, holding his gloves. “The entire stand of hardwood over there, dead and dried in one night. Nearly a hundred trees, I’d guess.”