From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [44]
Achan looked to Shung. The hairy man nodded once, smirking. “One moment more, Anillo,” Achan said.
Achan sat still, suffering through the pricks while Matthias tugged snarls from his head. The boy took care with the hair over Achan’s head wound and combed it all back into a tail. He held the hair with one hand and stretched the other out over Achan’s shoulder, blackened fingers clutching the green ribbon. “Sir Shung, can you help?”
Shung snagged the ribbon. Together, he and Matthias managed to secure Achan’s hair. Matthias arranged the pillows into a small mountain, then Shung helped Achan lie back, so he was somewhat reclined.
Achan smoothed the covers over his lap, making sure the Duchess would in no way suspect he wasn’t wearing trousers. “All right. I’m ready.”
Anillo opened the door and poked his head out. “The prince is ready, my lady.”
Duchess Amal entered, wearing a bronze gown that swept the floor as she walked. Achan couldn’t say why the lady sent a wave of heat over him whenever he saw her. Though small, something in her regal stature made him want to cower at her feet.
She walked up to the side of his bed and curtsied. “Pardon my intrusion, Your Highness. I hope I did not wake you.”
“No, my lady. You did not wake me. You bring news of Lady Averella?” He flashed a wide smile.
Her pursed lips curved into the faintest smile. “I see you are your charming self again. Did you forget your pledge that you would not wander my castle alone?”
Her green eyes penetrated to his heart, igniting it like parchment. Heat spread over his body like wildfire, tingling his cheeks. He wanted to look away, but found he could not.
“Ah, yes. You have that look in your eyes. You are not the first man I have seen felled by his own pride.”
At this Achan did look away. Leaving the castle alone had been foolish. But if Sir Caleb hadn’t overruled him, Shung would have come along. He turned back to the duchess but looked over her shoulder to avoid her eyes. “Thank you for bringing me back from the Veil.”
“You have already thanked me, Your Highness. No need to do so again. I hope you see now that men in high positions play a different role from most. Though your heart wants to fight like the average man, you must not risk yourself in such a way. You understand that better now, do you not?”
Would every elder lecture him his whole life long? He didn’t need to be set afire when he was already burning. Yet he said in a small voice, “Yes, ma’am.”
She didn’t move or speak for so long that Achan was drawn to look in her eyes. When he did, she smiled and tipped her head, pulling his gaze to the swaying brown gems that dripped from her ears. “And now I shall thank you.”
“Me, my lady?”
“You saved my daughter from a terrifying ordeal. Lady Gypsum is most grateful and has asked permission to visit when and if you are willing to receive her.”
“Oh, sure.” Achan had forgotten all about Lady Gypsum. “She made it back safely, then?”
“She did. I am glad you used the tunnel that morning.” She stepped so close to his bedside that her gown crinkled against the mattress. “Though your body is weak, I suspect your mind is still strong. Might you permit me to check?”
Check his mind? “Uh… Of course, my lady.”
“Sir Eagan assured me my venture should not aggravate your head wound. But I warn you, Your Highness, this may hurt in a different way.”
He did not relish more pain, especially in his head. But as Duchess Amal lowered herself to sit on the edge of his bed, he did not stop her.
Her intense gaze locked onto his again. “Do you trust me, Your Highness?”
His hands trembled and his voice came out a near whisper. “With my life.”
She smiled wide, and he felt as if he could jump out of bed that moment and challenge Esek to a duel.
The duchess reached for his face. Her icy fingertips slid across his cheek and rested just before his ear.
He clenched his teeth and shivered.
“Close your eyes and open your mind.”
Achan obeyed instantly, as if he had no other choice. He had a choice, didn’t he?