"That was predicted?"
"Yes. And that is not the end." Garve's voice was as sharp as the bite of a whip. "Do you know what else you will do?"
"No!" A thin horror seeped slowly into Eric's mind.
"You will destroy the Daughter of the City."
Eric's eyes were wide. He shuddered and cried, "NO! NO!"
Garve's face took on the glint of madness. He said, "But I will stop you. I'll stop you if I have to kill you." He turned and strode bitterly from the room.
Horror was still fresh in Eric's mind when Nolette returned. "All is ready," she said. "Come now, my husband-to-be."
Eric followed her into the chamber of the elder dreamers. Kroon stood at the doorway and greeted him as he entered. He said, "One cannot fight the truth, so we have consented to this marriage. Will you join hands?"
The ceremony was simple, but beautiful, much like an Earth wedding, with the city making music that was beautiful beyond belief. But all the time Eric listened his mind was working, and by the time he had kissed his bride at the end of the ceremony he knew what he had to do. He walked back to their room with his arm around her waist, and his resolve weakened with each step.