If the Queen lives, he will take her who hates him to be his wife; if
she dies he will seize her throne. Our wisdom is finished. What must we
do to save this Star that it may shine serene until its appointed hour
of setting?"
"Is that all you seek?" asked the Double, when she had finished.
"Nay," broke in Tua hurriedly, "I would not shine alone, I seek another
Star to share my sky with me."
"Have you faith and will you obey?" asked the Double again. "For without
faith I can do nothing."
Now Asti looked at Tua who bowed her head in assent to an unspoken
question, then she answered:
"We have faith, we will obey."
"So be it," said the Shadow. "Presently Abi will come to ask whether the
Queen consents to be his wife, or whether she will bide here until she
dies. I who wear the fashion of the Queen will go forth and be his wife,
oh! such a wife as man never had before," and as she spoke the words an
awful look swept across her face, and her deep eyes flamed. "Ill goes it
with the mortal man who weds a wraith that hates him and is commanded to
work his woe," she added.
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