hold your actions against you andneither do I. We know you did it out of love for me.Rohyrcaught his hand and held it to his lips. Lassen felt his breath onhis knuckles as his lover released a sigh of relief.** * *Theyarrived in Ziana the following day just as the noon chimes sounded,emerging in the courtyard behind the monastery through which only theclerics and Zianas ruling family could enter the temple grounds.Tenryon and Shino welcomed them and ushered them inside the hallowedsanctum.Thetemple formed the bulk and center of the entire compound. Longer thanit was wide with a soaring ceiling from which hung exquisite lamps ofgold and crystal, it was adorned with magnificent paintings,sculptures, tapestries and stained-glass windows and panels. Somassive was the temple that the nave alone housed four rows of ahundred pews each, all made from rare nahra. Marble pillars separatedthe adjacent sections on either side, each with its own altar and setof pews. Wide shallow steps led up from the nave to the gold leafadorned marble altar. On the wall above the altar, flanked by hugestained-glass panels, hung a massive four-rayed star of Veres wroughtof white-silver and snow-sapphire.Tenryonhad requested that the temple and its immediate vicinity be closedoff to everyone for the duration of the midday break. The request hadpuzzled the temple Prelate but he acquiesced nonetheless. The ancientcomplexs well-being depended in large part on the goodwill of theHadranas who gave generously of their wealth toward the upkeep of thetemple. The Prelate was not about to refuse a request that broke nolaws nor violated sacred tradition.Theyclosed the main door and side entrances then quickly shed theircloaks. Tenryon led them down the main aisle to gather at the foot ofthe steps fronting the altar. Eyes on the great star, the Herun kneltdown on one knee. The others followed and he led them in prayer.Afterward, he rose and motioned to Rohyr and Lassen to ascend to thealtar.Lassensmoothed a hand down the front of his tunic as he and Rohyr climbedthe shallow steps to stand before the great star. They were clad innuptial cream and gold but Lassens formal tunic was sedyranin design because he could belt it as loosely as he wished withoutbeing obvious about it. He had tied the gold-embroidered belt alittle lower so that it rode on his upper hip, allowing the satinyfabric of his tunic to drape softly around his waist and obscure theswelling of his belly.Bothwore the new earrings Lassens brother Yuilan had created for them.They were similar in design to the white-silver lemans earringLassen had worn since his coming ofagebut were edged with delicate gold braid and inlaid with crystallineadamant and frosty snow-sapphire, the latter the emblematic gem ofthe soul-bound. It had moved Lassen to tears when he discovered thatRohyr intended to identify himself as his concubines binding-mate.Rohyrgently turned him to face the star then pulled him back against him.He slid his palm down Lassens arm to take his right hand in hisand entwine their fingers. Lassen heard him begin the prayer ofinvocation.CreatorAlmighty, Sovereign Most Holy, we beseech You. Allow us to approachYour holy presence.Lassenshivered at the