enrolled at the University and spoke withsome of your schoolmates. One of them said you had befriended ahetharand that he might know where you were. Theron did not quiteconceal his distaste. I perforce visited his club in the hope oflocating you.Leyhar-dyharwent to the Seralye and asked for you, Hirlen informed Dylen.Zarael directed him here.GivingDylen his full attention for the first time, the ambassador studiedhim briefly. So youre the hetharmy sons friend mentioned, he said almost accusingly.Wasit Ithan Soleri you spoke to? Riodan brusquely asked. Why yes,that was his name.Hesno friend of mine! Riodan spat.Theronstared at him in some surprise. I see. Well, no matter, he wasright about how I could find you. He turned to Hirlen once moreand said, It was kind of you totakeRiodan in. And let it not be said that the Leyhars are ingrates. Iwill compensate you for whatever help you extended to him.Nay,Dyhar,Dylen corrected him. What aid we gave Rio was out of fondness forhim and not for gain of any kind.Theronvisibly bristled at Dylens use of the shortened form of Riodansname. Of course, he stiffly replied. But I will take him offyour hands now. Gather your things, Rio-min.Let us go home.Riodansnorted. Home? To what? To be shackled to a sadistic blackguardonly a few years younger than yourself? Nay, Aba,Im staying here with the Deir I love.Theronseyebrows rose in obvious disbelief. Love? You mean him? Heglanced disdainfully at Dylen. You should know better than tosquander your affections on mere riffraff.Takinghis cue from Hirlen, Dylen stifled the impulse to throttle theambassador for his inexcusable rudeness.Youwill not speak thusly of my lover! Riodan hotly objected.Theronscoffed. You will end this nonsense immediately, Rio. Do you wishto taint your future? Its one thing to be known to frequenthethare.A distasteful way to spend ones time I must say but commonlypracticed enough to be deemed acceptable behavior. But an actualaffair with one is out of the question if you value your position insociety.Idont care, Riodan mulishly responded. I intend for Dy to bemy leman. Are you daft? Theron exclaimed. Deira of goodrepute neither wed nor take hethareintotheir households! You bear a respected name, Rio. Your concubine mustbeabovereproacheither a biddable virgin or a virtuous widower. He mustnot have consorted with many partners before or during your affair.Riodanrolled his eyes. In other words, only one who has never beentupped except by a dearly departed spouse is fit to be a respectableDeirs partner. Well, that should disqualify me as a suitablecandidate for the marriage mart unless its for some unfortunatedupe below us in station.Whatdo you? Theron gaped in horror and stabbed a finger at Dylen.Saints above! Do nottell me youve yielded yourself to him!Riodanraised his chin defiantly. Irrevocably and frequently. So you seeits useless to nurse illusions about the state of my backside,Aba.He smirked. It has been thoroughly speared, plowed and ridden.Rio,theres no call for crudeness Dylen started to sayreproachfully.Butthe ambassador interrupted, his face scarlet with umbrage. Deitysblood, Riodan! he exploded. Are you mad? Giving the likes ofhim the privilege of-ofDefloweringme, Riodan finished for his sputtering sire. On the contrary, Icounted it an honor to shed my