Within his phylactery, Balthazar was pleased.  The attack had gone perfectly, leaving Aurora soiled for any diplomatic pairing.  Herrick's fate was unknown but the King would have no choice but to remove one of his most loyal protectors from his side.<br/><br/>And then there was the joy of flesh, not simply the feeling of Aurora's soft body beneath him but to have experienced breathing and walking the world of the living even briefly had been invigorating.  Even the pain of being assaulted and beaten had been welcome after his soul-numbing imprisonment.<br/><br/>He reached out to touch the mind of his ally, finding her being wisked to the healer.  "All goes well my grand-daughter," he whispered in her ear, "Your father cannot marry you off now, and Herrick will never interfere with your ambitions again."