Raine answers your questions

As promised, today Raine is here to answer your questions -- you've all sent some great ones. But before she gets started, here's something else you might be interested in: Recently, the fabulous fantasy author Diana Pharaoh Francis asked me to do an interview on her blog. It was a lot of fun. If you'd like to read it, just go to her website and click on "My Blog."

Here's Raine and your questions:

You apparently have two intriguing suitors in your life. Bad boy Tam, who seems to have a one-track mind where you're concerned. And now, good guy Mychael, who also has a one-track mind where you're concerned, but a very different track--the amulet. (At least, so far.) Can you tell us a little more about your history with Tam? (Since you were already well acquainted when the story opened.) How did you meet? Where did you meet? How long have you known him? (Details, I want details.)

(Laughs) Like I could have forgotten how I met Tam. He arrived in Mermeia two years ago and promptly turned the Goblin District on its collective pointed ear. Tam was a primaru, or shaman of the royal blood. People talk, and I knew people who loved to talk and lived to tell. The juicier, the better. I managed to dig up that Primaru Tamnais Nathrach was the ex-chief shaman of the soon-to-be-assassinated goblin queen, and a supposedly grieving husband of a recently murdered noble wife. Rumor had that Tam leaving the goblin court and his wife's murder were connected. He stepped off of that ship as a goblin of wealth and influence. Tam bought the palazzo of an aristocratic, but impoverished Mermeian family, and turned it into Sirens--the most notorious nightclub and gambling parlor in the city. Some people said he bought the palazzo, others said he won it in a card game with the Mermeian family's stupid young heir. A few whispered that he'd all but stolen it using blackmail or black magic.

Knowing Tam back then, I would have believed any combination of any of the above. Our first face-to-face meeting happened when a cash-strapped noble was working his way though his wife's jewelry to support his gambling habit. The wife hired me to find her grandmother's favorite ring. I tailed the ring--and her husband--right to Sirens' high-stakes card table. I'd heard that Tam Nathrach was a scoundrel and an opportunist, but he was also a savvy
businessman. He didn't have me tossed in the canal behind the club for disrupting the game, and he personally returned the lady's ring. He said then it was good public relations. He told me later that he did it to impress me. He didn't have to bother. Being a Benares, I've always been attracted to rogues. Kind of like a moth to flame. Most times I have the good sense to steer clear, but with Tam I've come close to getting my wings singed more than once. (chuckles)
Though if I'm not careful, one of these days I'm going to get myself fried.

There's also something I've been wondering about since finishing MLTF. What was going through your mind during that blockbuster goodbye kiss from Tam? And where was Mychael when that happened? Did he hear the commotion from the ship hands? And how did he react, or didn't he? I thought I felt the stirrings of a rivalry beginning the two at the costume ball. What's your take and how are you going to handle things going forward? (If that's going to be addressed in the next book, I can wait for the sequel. I think.)

(smiles) Now there was a good-bye a girl could remember. I think I can safely say that I've never been slammed against a mainmast and kissed quite like that before. I guess Tam wanted to make sure I wouldn't forget him. No chance of that. By the way, Mychael was on his ship securing the Saghred, so he didn't see (or hear) what happened. (snorts) I'm not gonna to tell him.

Has Raine ever refused any marriage proposals? How has a cute girl like her managed to stay single?

I've had a couple of the usual ale-induced "marry-me-you-goddess" proposals in taverns over the years, but I've only had one that was serious. No ale was involved. I was young (and apparently stupid, or at least naive), I was in love, so I accepted his proposal--then I found out what he really did for a living. There are some lines I just won't cross. Lisa knows all about him, so I'll let her tell you more about him later.

Hey, Raine, do you ever think about settling down and having elflings?
Occasionally. But after my close call with what would have been a really bad marriage (see above answer), I've shied away from elflings for now. But if the right man came along, I'd be willing to change my mind. ; )

Bye for now,
Raine Benares

Drop by on Monday when I'll announce the next Character-of-the-Week.

Have a great weekend!
Lisa