I turned and looked at him then, defiantly. To my surprise he smiled slightly, though his eyes were moist. “The woman is not dead, Elsha,” he said quietly. “She is well, and asking for you. She said that from the moment you alone held her, she felt no pain.” He was silent a few moments, looking at me. “You have a great gift, Elsha. I honour it, and you.” And he knelt and touched the floor at my feet. When he stood up again, he was looking at me the way Dannii had, that day I had divined.

Overwhelmed, I leaned against a table, knocking over my cup of wine. The goblet rolled on the smooth wood, and the wine dripped onto the floor. I moved to wipe it up, but Teraj caught my hand and turned me to face him. “You did not know you had this gift?” he asked.

I shook my head. I could not speak. I tried to pull my hand away, but he held it firm. For a long time we were silent, and slowly the storm in me was stilled. Then Teraj smiled, and I felt at peace.

“There is something I want to tell you, Elsha,” he said, lifting my chin with his free hand. “I don’t want you to say anything, or do anything. But I want you to know what is in my heart, what has been there since the moment I first saw you.” He caressed my face a moment, then took both my hands in his. There was power in his hands, too. And in his eyes, with all their blue fire.