“Which, my dear, is why I had to act so swiftly. It is not the first time in our history that such tragedies have happened. There have been a half-dozen others, like you, forced to bury their feminine selves for the sake of continuation. If you should balk at the thought of doing this, you forfeit our noble line.” Her hands moved over her skirts, smoothing them. “It is not easy, but far from impossible.”<br/><br/>There was a light knock on the door, and the older woman called for whoever it was to enter. It was the maid with the tea and a few French pastries. The girl set them out on a table, poured the tea then left.<br/><br/>Her hand steady, Grandmother Teresa gave Audrey a cup and picked up her own, sipping it elegantly. “It is only due to great need that I ask such a thing. You must sacrifice the life you could have led – but just think of what you would gain. I know how you look at Sampson, and how you cried when you were young when you were told you were not to have one. So, you must wear your hair short and think up excuses why not to go swimming in the lakes – is it so bad that you can say having a dragon is not worth it?” It was a low shot, but it was probably the only thing that would sway Audrey.<br/>