“Yves gathered courage deep inside himself as he rode all the way to the ancestral long-ruined Matasagaris family seat. Would he be able to turn away from his father — to change the preordained will of God? Would he risk staying and living, just living, instead of commencing the fatal and dangerous Journey? All this for the sake of love that could come to every person, every commoner, but to him — the Prince of Maurirta, love was inaccessible before. He closed his eyes and recalled Miela, the way her silky, light-brown hair danced over her shoulders, the flutter of her velvety lashes, and he knew no peace.”