Virgin Rights

According to sidhe law, because Meredith had been completely independent for three years, taking nothing from anyone, she was free of obligation to anyone. Virgin in the ancient Celtic ideal, was a woman who stood on her own, owing nothing to anyone. Three years of independence was the minimum time. To be virgin meant to start anew, outside any old feuds or grudges, she could not be forced to take sides on any issue. She could be in court, but not part of the court.

By invoking virgin rights, Meredith had given herself a clean slate. But it held true to any who had insulted or attacked her in the past as well. If she acknowledged old vendettas, she lost her status as a virgin, and could be sucked back into the morass of court politics and duels. It was a case of leave them alone if they left her alone.

Doyle approved her strategy, knowing the law, and how to make it work for her impressed him. Virgin rights allowed her to take a hotel room rather than stay in the sithen without risking the queen's anger when she was first recalled to faerie in A Kiss of Shadows.