SOLVED: Magicians use shapes; in second book, main female character has arranged marriage. [s]

[Matilda]

I read these books in my early teens and cannot for the life of me remember the titles or author. It is fantasy, two books. The people who can use magic use shapes, and there is a hierarchy of power with the shapes. In the second book, the child of two characters from the first book has an arranged marriage. I think her name is Mel.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

What year did you read them? Are they by the same author?

[Aerulan]

Maybe The Charmed Sphere by Catherine Asaro? That's the only one I can think of off the top of my head where shapes play a part in the magic.

ETA book two is The Misted Cliffs main character named Mel

[Matilda]

That's it! Thank you! :)

[Aerulan]

You're welcome!

[Kate]

There's even a third book: The Dawn Star