your betrothal to Guyon.Riodanlooked down, his cheeks flushing. I would have done it had therebeen even the faintest hope of reconciling with you, he said, hisvoice hushed. But you were so distant, so cold. Even when youdealt kindly with me, there was no warmth in you. I tried so hard,Dy. But you put a wall between us that I couldnt scale or breach.I came to believe that you loathed me. Worse, that you no longercared. Without the certitude of your love, I had neither the couragenor the strength to cope with the consequences of breaking theengagement. He looked up shamefaced. There, I said it. Im acoward and a weakling. You have every right to detest me after all.Heheld his breath when Dylen did not reply but looked at himuncertainly. At length, Dylens lips tightened, and he averted hisgaze.Itried to stop, he whispered. I failed.Riodanswallowed hard. His grip on Dylens wrist turned into a caress ashe slid his hand into Dylens and laced their fingers together.Triedto stop...? he anxiously probed.Dylenopened his mouth to reply. But the palace chimes suddenly tolled thetime, startling them into awareness of their surroundings. Riodanswore under his breath at the untimely interruption.Wehave to hurry, Dylen said. Were late. Very late,Riodan reluctantly agreed.Theyhastened down the garden path and walked as rapidly as they couldtoward Larals pavilion.** * *Strange,Riodan murmured as they neared the fairly ornate structure. Whereare the guards, the servants?PerhapsLaral ordered them to be discreet and Dylen started to say. Hestopped when the sounds of clashing metal reached them. They glancedat each other then raced for the entrance.HolyVeres! Riodan blurted. He stared in shock at the sight beforethem.Bodieslittered the floor and slumped against the walls, some feebly moving,others deathly still. All were garbed in royal livery. Theirassailants however were attired in Ylandrin uniform. Unaware of thenewcomers, they stood around watching the last Asmaran standing,their faces smug.Laralstill battled on, fending off two attackers. But he clutched his sideand blood seeped between his fingers. Before either Dylen or Riodancould act, Laral uttered a curse as his sword was struck from hishand. The Deir behind him lashed out at his legs, andtheprince fell heavily to his knees.Thesoldier in front of him laughed and jeered, Tired so soon, OPrince? And here I thought wed get more sport out of you! Heraised his sword and started to bring it down on his helpless victim.TheDeir stopped in mid swing. He dropped his sword, his mouth open in asoundless cry. He toppled over, a carving knife embedded in his back.His comrades whirled around in shock just in time to bear the bruntof Dylen and Riodans charge. Once more, the sound of swordsmeeting in combat rang through the pavilion.Takingadvantage of his guards momentary inattention, Laral grabbed thesword that would have decapitated him and swung it across the Deirslegs, hewing them from under him. He staggered to his feet andrejoined the fray.Riodancaught sight of a large dinner gong at one side of the room.Realizing they were seriously outnumbered and Laral badly wounded atthat, he slew his opponent and dashed toward the gong. But moreassassins blocked his way. Riodan