"What?" Ann asked. "I didn't say anything." "I know. You're just standing there staring. What are you thinking?" "I was wondering if you loved me." She smiled at the mirror, the magical world between the two swans. Amrath imagined it was a beautiful place, a pretty country where troubles never found entry. "I bore you two wonderful children." She kissed the crown of Arista's head. "That was your duty as queen, but do--" "Really?" She paused with the brush still holding on to a few strands of Arista's hair to look at him. "A duty? Is that how you found it?" "Not for my part--of course not." She returned to the mirror and the brushing. "Then why would you think I saw it that way? Did I appear to be suffering? Do I now? It's such a hardship being your wife. Perhaps you should summon the guard to whip me, lest I stop brushing my daughter's hair." Arista laughed and covered her face with her hands. Amrath scowled at her. "I could have sworn we had a dozen servants whose job it is to see to Arista's grooming." "There, you see? What more proof do you need? I do this because I want to." "That just proves you love your children." "Actually it just proves you love me," Arista whispered. Ann gave her a gentle slap on the head that caused her to giggle again. "Quiet, you."