By the time I descended to the hall to break my fast, I was thoroughly annoyed with my demanding spouse. Half the tale had left me with more questions than answers.
Matters were complicated by my instincts, which were clearly worthy of nothing at all. Even knowing what I did, even fearing what I did not know, still I was tempted to grant Merlyn what he requested of me. I was overly touched that he had entrusted even one of his tightly held secrets to me, for the telling had not come easily to him.
It was evident that a lack of sleep had addled my wits.
When I came to the great hall, Ada was not there, nor even my siblings. There was a stranger, idly nudging at the Yule log, loitering in my hall. I hesitated, wondering at this.
He was not just any man. No, I saw even before he turned at
