Myndo narrowed her eyes. "This course of action seems appropriate to my mind." It is a bold step. I doubt the Chancellor will agree to it, but Villius feels confident enough to suggest it. He will bear watching.

The Primus bowed with exaggerated ceremony toward her. "We are so pleased you approve, Precentor Dieron." He straightened up and gazed around at the other Precentors. "If there is no objection, we shall appoint Precentor Sian to undertake the necessary discussions."

Myndo, in concert with the other First Circuit Precentors, nodded agreement. Mock me now, Julian Tiepolo, but remember that unlike the Word of Blake and my anger, you are not immortal and you will not rule forever.She smiled to herself. When I'm through with you, you'll not even be remembered.

36

ComStar First Circuit Compound

Hilton Head Island, North America, Terra

20 August 3028

Archon Katrina Steiner bit at her lower lip to stop it from trembling as she watched her daughter's reflection in the triptych mirror. Melissa, my child, you are so beautiful. I do not want to lose you yet.Though she fought it, a tear rolled down one cheek.

Melissa turned slowly amid a swirl of white silk and smiled gently at her mother. Fine lace covered her from throat to shoulders and down the bodice of the gown. Wide white silk bows sat on each shoulder as though securing the puffy upper part of the sleeve to the body of the dress. From elbow to wrist, the sleeves tapered down Melissa's forearms, ending in a lace triangle that covered the backs of her hands.

Hundreds of pearls had been painstakingly handsewn over the bodice to roughly describe not the well-known Steiner Fist, but the four center-pointing triangles crest of Arthur Luvon's home-world, Donegal. Delicate lace patterns decorated both the gown and the train.

Melissa reached out to her mother and brushed away the tear. "Please don't cry." She smiled sheepishly. "If you start, then I will, too, and then we'll never be ready."

The Archon nodded. Katrina looked over at Misha Auburn, Melissa's maid of honor. "Misha, could you give me a minute alone with my daughter?"

"Call for me when you want me to put on the veil and I'll help you," Misha said, flashing them both a smile as she closed the door of the dressing room behind her.

After Misha had vanished, the Archon turned to her daughter.

"I know we've had this conversation before, Melissa, and you've answered my questions . . . I just want you to know . . ."

Melissa raised her right hand to her mother's lips. "Hush, Mother. Yes, you and Hanse Davion arranged this marriage six years ago when I was still a child. You asked for my consent then, and I agreed because you asked. What I knew of Hanse Davion at that time was nine-tenths legend and one-tenth hostile court gossip."

Melissa smiled as memories flooded back to her. "When Ardan Sortek came to Tharkad to recover from his injuries on Stein's Folly, I developed a fine crush upon him. Hanse seemed so distant then and Ardan so immediate. It was difficult to keep things straight in my mind, but so fierce was Ardan's loyalty to Hanse that I don't think anything in the galaxy could have made him return my interest.

"It was then that I realized what sort of man Hanse Davion must be. He trusted his friends and confidants with power and responsibility." Melissa glanced at the framed picture of Hanse on her vanity table. "As you've often reminded me, a ruler is judged by the people she keeps as advisors. A strong person associates with strong people, and a weak ruler gathers a court of sycophants around himself. Hanse Davion, as I came to see him through Ardan's stories and actions, had to be a strong man."

The Archon nodded. "But is he a man with whom you can spend the rest of your life?"

Melissa nodded. "The incident with the Silver Eaglelast year gave me all the assurances I'll ever need. When I reached Northwind in the company of the Kell Hounds, I was badly shaken. I saw every death on the Styx station as my fault and an indication of my inability to do anything effectively. Hanse was firm but gentle in pointing out where my assessments were flawed, and where I had made errors in judgement. He helped me understand that I must learn from that horrible situation. I know I cannot prevent disasters, but I do feel I'm better able to deal with them because of his help."

Melissa half-shut her eyes. "More important, Mother, I saw how deeply Hanse cared for me and for those lost in the Styx station battle. To him, the people who died there were more than statistics. In private moments, he spoke of his pain at seeing so much human potential senselessly wasted.

"I do not doubt, Mother, that Hanse is capable of using men and machines to punish his enemies—this we both know—but I do believe a piece of him dies with each of his citizens. Any war he chooses to wage will occur only because it prevents a conflict that would be even more destructive."

The Archon smiled openly. You made a decision first as a child, but you have grown into it as a woman. I pray you find the happiness you deserve."Melissa, I always believed that you were destined for great things. This wedding, sealing the fates of the Lyran Commonwealth and the Federated Suns together, is just the beginning. Thank God such responsibility has fallen upon one who is willing to accept it."

Melissa hugged her mother tightly. "Thank you for trusting me with it."

The Archon broke the embrace reluctantly. "I'll get Misha."

Melissa shook her head. She crossed to the room's other door and knocked on it twice. She waited, then knocked three more times. The Archon-Designate stepped back as the lock clicked and the door opened.

Jeana bowed her head to the Archon. "You need me?"

Melissa nodded, then turned to her mother. "Mother, could you hand me that box on the vanity, please?" Melissa took the small hinged box from her mother and handed it to Jeana. "Open it."

Jeana looked from Melissa to the Archon and back apprehensively. She started as she opened the box, then drew from it a slender silver chain. Hanging from the chain was a twisted, partially melted sliver of metal. The Archon's eyebrows knitted together in a wary look. That's a 'Mech charm. What's Melissa doing with it?

Melissa smiled at Jeana. "That is what they refer to, in the Federated Suns, as a 'Mech charm. The tradition of salvaging a piece of your first 'Mech, especially if it's shot out from under you, dates from Star League days—or so Hanse tells me. He said the graduates of the Albion Military Academy believe that to give a 'Mech charm to a loved one will protect that person, and that it is the greatest honor one person can bestow on another."

Melissa swallowed hard. "Hanse gave me the charm after Styx, and said he wished he'd given it to me earlier. I've worn it ever since."

Jeana slowly shook her head. "I can't take this, Highness, I . . ."

Jeana tried to give it back, but Melissa firmly shook her head. "You must. I have Hanse to protect me now. I want you to have this 'Mech charm to hold you safe, and as a very inadequate token of my gratitude for all you have done for me, and will continue to do. Because of you, I have this chance to be happy."

Jeana nodded wordlessly. Melissa reached out and brushed the tears from her cheeks. Jeana brought her head up and smiled. "I have happiness in service to you, Melissa Arthur Steiner. You are the heart and soul of the Lyran Commonwealth. You make all of us proud."