"You can too have sex in trees," Sonia says, her voice now muffled slightly by the branches and blossoms between them. But that amusement lingers, flouting these so very Barrayaran ideals of purity and chastity.

"So there you have it, then. I shall lash myself to this tree and declare it in protection of my own chastity, for until I am married as a proper Vor princess ought, no man can have me." Her tone is deeply ironic, but not so cutting. Not at Byerly, anyway. "And I'll call it performance art -- a commentary on this benighted world they intend to reform."

It sure as hell would beat being escorted back to that cell again once she's done in here. Through the canopy of flowers, she squints at the far-off exit to the gardens, at the guard posted there. Curiously, she asks, "You really want me to test their patience, don't you?"