A Dragon's Ascension - Ed Greenwood [142]
"Aye. Aye, I did, and want the world to know. I want to shout it from the battlements," Hawkril growled with sudden fire. "I-I-can we be wed? I mean… you'll have me?"
Embra smiled. "Of course I will, you great dolt. All you had to do was ask."
His eyes glimmered in the lamplight. "And-and-you don't mind a 'great ox of an armaragor' beside you?"
"I don't even mind a great ox of an armaragor inside me," she told him gently, "so long as it's you. Marry me, my Lord Silvertree-please?"
"Ah-uh-that's what I was going to… ask you," Hawkril said in some confusion, flushing crimson.
"Yes, and I want to be your lady so much I want to beg you for it- here, on my knees."
She knelt before him, leaving the armaragor startled and looking around to see where the courtiers were. They stood nearer than he'd thought, but were carefully looking away.
"They'll think you-pleaded with me to-"
"I want them to," she told him, eyes bright. "As it happens, I do have to beg you for something else-and give you a promise."
"A-what?" Hawkril floundered, knowing his tongue wasn't forging ahead all that well, but powerless to free himself from this sudden confusion that seemed to have… overwhelmed him.
"Hawkril, please forgive me," Embra said in a voice that was suddenly small and on the verge of tears, "for using my magic to force you, compelling you against your will. I promise never to do it again. Ever."
"Force me? When did…?"
"The night we first met, when we were fleeing my father, and I made you carry me into the Silent House."
"I hit you," Hawkril said slowly, remembering, and started to kneel. She thrust her hands up under his knees with unexpected strength to prevent his descent, and then with a grunt of effort stood, thrusting him upright again.
"Hawk," she said, looking into the armaragor's eyes as their noses almost touched, "don't do that. I don't need you to kneel to me like a servant. I need you to forgive me and tell me all is right between us."
"Oh." Hawkril blinked. "Well, 'tis, of course, my Lady."
She gave him a dirty look, and he amended hastily, "Embra, I forgive you. All is right between us."
She smiled and kissed him. "Good." She took Hawk's hand before his arms could tighten around her and stepped away, so they were walking together once more.
Embra promptly guided the armaragor onto another grassy path, to where it was darker. Then she turned her head to look into his eyes, grinned, and said, "You can hit me whenever you like, if it makes you feel better."
"Umm," Hawkril replied, his fingers tightening in hers. "You'll hit me back, won't you?"
"Of course."
They walked and talked a long time in the gardens, and when at last they came in, Lady Orele was waiting for them. She led them up into the east wing, showing the Lady Overduke first to her rooms-but hesitated not a moment when Embra said softly that she preferred to sleep with the Lord Hawkril, and in his chambers. Orele merely smiled and wordlessly led them on down the high hall to another door.
There the old lady plucked at Embra's sleeve, and when the Lady Overduke bent close, she whispered, "Three watch over you and keep you, Lady." Then she rapped on the door with her silver-handled cane, and added as the maids within started to draw it open, "May you be happy together-Darsar knows you deserve it."
And then the Lady of Chambers turned and was gone, without another look or word, walking very slowly and leaning on her cane.
"Had she a lover, ever?" a guard murmured to his fellow, as the Lady Orele stumped past, leaning more heavily on her cane.
"Vaevra will know," the other guard replied, "or be able to mind-pry and find out. You're too softhearted, Shalace."
"I don't know that there is such a thing as too softhearted for our kind, Mrivin," the first Koglaur said, with just a touch of sharpness. "When we know the likeness of her man, I'll shape it and go to her. Gods, but she's earned it."
"Careful with the hearts of the old," Mrivin cautioned. "Find out what became of him, if she knows, and how they parted, first. Unless you