A Distant Tomorrow. Бертрис Смолл

Captain Corrado answered the servant.

       “The woman?” The servant cast a quick glance in Lara’s direction.

       “She is half-faerie, and Hetarian,” the captain said. “She is a gift.”

       “And a fine one!” the servant responded enthusiastically. “I wish someone would gift me like that, my lord Captain.” And the two men chuckled, sharing the jest.

       At the very end of the corridor were a pair of double doors fashioned from bronze. There were no guards before the door, Lara noted. Clearly the Dominus was entirely secure in his castle. The servant opened one of the doors and ushered them into a large chamber. To their left were great tall windows overlooking the fjord. Before them was a massive hearth with great andirons holding several large logs that burned brightly.