From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [216]
Your pleasing face burns—
Really? From the day you first saw me?
Yes. I was enamored with you. I simply could not figure you out. A stray soldier. You were a mystery.
Achan left his body and passed through the Veil until he floated above Sparrow’s bed. She wore a white gown. Her blankets were pulled up to her waist, and she smelled sweet. There were no chaperones in the Veil. What did your mother make you bathe in today?
Rosewater and olive oil. Then I had to have yet another sea salt and honey scrub. And just when I thought it was over, a horrible, tortuous sugar and lemon paste.
How is a sugar and lemon paste tortuous? It sounds delicious.
But they don’t let me eat it. They use it to rip off my hair.
She didn’t look to be missing any hair. You’re ripping off your hair? Whatever for?
Not the hair on my head, goose. The hair on my legs and arms… Every place but my head. I am so soft you will be able to fold me up and put me in a satchel.
The thought of touching her skin sent a thrill through his body. You smell like almonds.
She gasped and pulled the blankets to her chin. Achan, go back to your room. You have no business being here.
Why not? If you’re going to talk to me, I’ d much rather see your face.
She growled, but it sounded so much like a purring kitten that Achan laughed.
So, why do you smell like almonds? Achan asked.
Syrah washed my hair with crushed almonds. It is supposed to make it silkier.
Achan couldn’t see any difference in the dark. Really?
You can tell me what you think tomorrow.
I wish you were here now.
It is only one more day.
It may as well be one hundred.
You poor dear.
He watched her eyes flicker around him, never quite looking in the right place. Are you nervous? he asked.
A little. Are you?
I don’t like being stared at by a crowd of people.
I will call it off, you know, if you want me to. There is still time.
Very funny, Sparrow. I want to show you our home. I built it for you… sort of.
A home?
The king’s chambers. I think you will like it.
Is there an open place where I can practice my leg sweep on you?
He chuckled. As a matter of fact, there is.
Excellent. I shall bid you farewell, then, Achan. Please let go of my mind so I can sleep, or I will have no energy for leg sweeping tomorrow.
We mustn’t have that. Sleep well, Vrell Sparrow. Until the cock crows.
Until then. Good night.
Achan fought the temptation to remain in her bedchamber and watch her sleep. After tonight, he would never be parted from Sparrow again.
He returned to his body and stared at the organza canopy above his bed. He could never rest now without help, so he reached out for Shung’s mind, heard the man’s heavy snoring, and relaxed, drugged by his Shield’s deep sleep.
Averella could not breathe. “That is too tight!”
“Once more and I will be done.” Lady Coraline Orthrop pulled the ties of Averella’s corset again.
Averella swore she heard a rib crack. “I will not be able to walk.”
“Pish posh. A corset does not affect your legs.”
“If my brain can only think of the pain and lack of air, it will not have time to tell my legs to move.”
“You are terribly dramatic, Averella. How ever will the king put up with you?”
“The same way every man finds a way to put up with his wife, I suppose. Are not all women dramatic at times?”
“Just you remember to show him respect.”
“Oh, he knows I respect him. But how will a tight corset matter? I can tell you now he cares little for these things.”
Lady Coraline smiled. “He may think he cares little now, but once he sees you in it, I have no doubt he will ask you to wear it again.”
Averella rolled her eyes. “All the more reason he never see me in it. Then he will not be disappointed when I burn it.”
“At least you will not have to wear it for long.”
Lady Coraline’s singsong tone brought a flush to Averella’s cheeks, but she held her tongue. The less she reacted, the less Lady Coraline would provoke her.
“Let’s get your dress on now.” Lady Coraline gathered the sides of Averella’s wedding gown and held it down on the floor. “Step in.”
Averella put a