Despite the many open arches and windows without shutters on them, neither cold nor rain or snow ever intruded into Quentão's interior -- just another example of the strangeness that they'd come to associate with Vita's influence. Raising the palace from the depths of Lake Gamay and placing it atop the waterfall had been the least weird thing about the structure.

It was to the waterfall now that Shiraz turned her attention for the moment, tilting her head to relax to the constant, relaxing sound of rushing water.

"It's about Paris," she said. "I want to know what you think about him. What you really think."