at Kit was able to look away. Trying to determine what sort of problem it might be, and what sort of remedy they might provide, made her even nervous. She

remony, child." She tipped her head to the side and gave Kit a moment to ponder how that could be.

e ceremony and how it had been during her Exploration that the true d

something else, some other device, but the law clearly states that the Proem must be c

exactly what her mother was saying, though she wasn't exact

uld be chosen to perform it, some

not what the Proem is about. Remember, this is a medical procedure. It is a ceremonial removing of the barrier inside a woman's body, that which sepa

tood in its entirety

and it may not be wholly lawful." It was the first time Nill had spoke

ikali, and then you shall never be aware of who served you in such a capacity, thus preventing you from developing any unnecessary emotional attachment to him." Her mother

ers of your guard who may be interested to present themselves to the physician to ensure they a

ly, Mikali would know if any were of

e would then arbitrarily select one of them to perform the ceremony while the rest wait within an area where it would be impossible to tell who had been selected. Once the procedure was over, the only person who would know who

mother had stated for a moment before drawing in

he same time her mother sai

speak," Zora pressed, gently. "S

here while he enters you, and then the ceremony is over. Once your Clearing is complete, you may lay

n the length of her skirt again. "I was only going to ask how Mikali would assis

straight shoulders beneath her dark gown and said, "I suppose we could make it so t

s who accompanied her through the hall, watched over her while she was in the garden or the library. What would it be like to know that one of the

seemed confident in her resolve. "And Mikali would

rowd? Or would he only reveal himsel

Clearly the queen was growing ex

entire Royal Court," she argued. "Also, would Mikali exclude those who are already wed?" She knew there were at l

ppen beneath the sheets. And yes, of course, no ma

her understanding that most men did not receive the same sort of pleasure from sexual relations as women did, she feared none

bout finding a healthier physician. After all, you do have younger cousins who will require the procedure someday. I hope that y

if this was the right answer or not, but there was nothing she could do to

replied and gave her dau

the council, even those who had not spoken, gave her reassuring smiles as the princess curtsied to her mother and then bac

and then redirected her eyes to the long marble hall in front of her. Could she in good conscious walk alongside her guards knowing that one of them knew her so intimately? She had no idea how she might do such a thing, but she would have to discover a way to p