Rising, he went to trade the towel for a gilt-coated goblet near the wash basin.Returning to the women, he dipped the goblet in the pool of blood.When he filled it, he held the gold cup aloft and declared, "Here is to the gods who have made us, and to us the immortals, to our power and strength, and our ability to love and live forever."He handed the goblet to Elena.

"To us," she murmured and then took a sip.She returned the cup to Charles who also drank.Then he offered it to ...