Like many a longed-for gift, it was, in possession, unwelcome. — Tanith Lee

For, though sometimes worshipping gods, the Yunea did not permit itself to stray too far onto the abstract path of sheer faith. An ambience of security was all the aristocrats required, a guarantee that fate loved them.

Ceedres was her god. To be happy, she must worship him, and let him destroy her, and take pleasure in it.

“I can’t guess,” said Olvia, “why he accepted my invitation. If I had realized he would, I would never have sent it.”