le cting-room furnisry fire blazed on ting tumn c in a design t akably Quileian, even to Devins untutored eye, covered teen-year-old—Selvena, it emerged—sank gracefully do at Devins feet. S o ignore, a quick, sardonic glance from Catriana as sook a seat -nearer to t, her.

    Just triump from some back room, carrying ttles.

    quot;I ; ;t you all aste for Astibars blue wine?”

    And for Devin t simple question cast an entirely benevolent aura of fate over ion in tside.  Alessan, and  seemed to o acknohings.

    Rovigo quickly began uncorking and pouring t;If any of my c; ;feel free to s ts.quot; A curl of blue smoke could be seen rising from each glass.

    Selvena settled  , ignoring  bespoke long familiarity  of t, trim, competent, a laugion in t. In a very s wy of food.

    Devin accepted a glass from Rovigo, savoring t. o be extremely content for t little o fill a plate of food for Devin. S it back to tled on t again, marginally nearer triana  daug eachem.

    Devin doubted if o be  che look, shrugged.

    quot;Daug; ed, sorrowfully shaking his head.

    quot; Ponderous cart ts wife. Rovigo winced. Alix, laug emples, he exchange.

    quot; again, did ; silting o one side. quot;Let me guess: I ions and formidably evil disposition, and tures among to make up one passably acceptable ?”

    Laugurned to see Rovigo—not at all discomfited—beaming  his wife.

    quot;Exactly rig; Devin said to Alix, quot;but I must say in  Ive never ion so h