one?s business but my own!?
?It certainly is our business. Because you and Lucas have shared
almost everything else on the list, all that?s left is the consummation
of the marriage. If that happens, then as far as the gods are
concerned you will be his wife. If you?re his wife, then that unites
the final two Houses. And you know what that means.?
?War,? Helen said, completely stunned. Her brain scrambled to
find the flaw in Noel?s argument?the one thing that would make it
untrue?but she didn?t come up with anything. ?It?s impossible.?
?No, it?s ironic. The first Trojan War started because two teenagers
fell in love and ran off together, and here are you and Lucas,
poised to make exactly the same mistake,? Noel said, her pity beginning
to show through her anger.
?And Lucas knew all this? Right from the start?? Helen asked.
She felt strangely numb.
?From the first moment he saw you,? Noel replied.
?That explains a lot,? Helen whispered, still putting the pieces together
in her head. ?I thought he was just old-fashioned or
something.?
?Lucas? No.? Noel laughed, shaking her head at the thought. ?But
he is honorable, so I trusted him with you. I allowed this to go on
because I believed that he would be able to control himself and not
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do anything that the world would regret. But the cestus changes
things.?
?Why?? Helen asked, suddenly perking up. ?I?ve always worn it,
and he?s always been able to control himself. And I didn?t exactly
make it easy on him, either,? she added with regret. ?But from now
on I won?t pressure him, and that way we can still be together,
right??