Treasures of Fantasy - Margaret Weis [69]
“I love you, Treia,” said Raegar, and he stopped in the middle of the path to take hold of both her hands, bringing them to his lips. “I want you for my wife. As for Aylaen, she is your sister. I care for her as for family.”
Treia didn’t believe him. Even with her weak eyes, she could see his admiration for Aylaen. All her life, Treia had been jealous of her sister, who was not only more beautiful, but whose life had been far easier than Treia’s. That Aylaen, already so fortunate, should have now attracted Raegar’s regard and affection was more than Treia could bear.
“I am sorry to have to tell you this, my love,” said Treia coolly. “I love you so much. But I know that Aylaen does not have the slightest regard for you. In truth, I have heard her say many times how much she despises you.”
Raegar frowned. “Perhaps I can find a way to change her opinion.”
“Tell me about our sleeping quarters,” Treia said, changing the subject. “I hope you will not be out late tonight. It has been far too long since we lay together.”
She hoped to win a smile from him. Instead, he shook his head and quickened his pace.
“You will be given a room in the nunnery. Aelon permits only married couples to spend the night together.”
Treia was not pleased. She could have pointed out to Raegar that his god had not objected to them making love aboard the galley, but she did not want to further annoy him. She waited for him to say something to the effect that this separation was only temporary, that soon they would be together forever as husband and wife. But Raegar went on to extol the beauty of the Temple grounds, pointing out various buildings as they walked together.
Treia smiled outwardly; inwardly she gnashed her teeth.
At last they came to the building he termed the “nunnery,” a large stone structure that reminded Treia of the buildings where the Vindrasi housed their cattle during the winter. He gave her into the care of a sharp-eyed, dark-haired woman known as the Priestess-Mother, who looked askance at Treia’s foreign attire and did not seem to know what to do with her.
The Priestess-Mother and Raegar held a whispered consultation. Treia stood off to one side, feeling her face burn when three young novices, passing by on their way to evening prayers, stopped to stare at her.
The Priestess-Mother sent two of them away with a sharp word. She ordered the third to take Treia to her room.
Treia looked pleadingly at Raegar. “Must you leave me?”
“You know what I have to do. I will meet you tomorrow after morning prayers,” he said curtly.
He walked off, going to the Torgun, going to see her sister.
Treia’s cell was one in a row of cells. The room was small and furnished with a bed, a desk, a chair, and a chamber pot. A small window cut into the stone wall near to the ceiling let in light and fresh air. Treia had no candle. The light shining from the dome of the Shrine of Aelon was so bright she did not need one.
The novice gave her a loose-fitting gown in which to sleep and waited for Treia to undress. The novice took away her clothes, telling her she would bring her suitable clothing in the morning. Treia wanted to keep the brooches pinned to her apron dress. The brooches were gold and part of her dowry.
“No personal possessions,” the novice said. “Everything belongs to the god.”
Treia let the brooches go without a murmur. She would have continued to wear her undergarments, but the novice insisted on taking those as well, saying in disparaging tones that they were likely crawling with vermin and would have to be burned.
Treia was offended and insulted, for she judged by the smell that she bathed far more often than did this young woman. Treia held her tongue, fearing that if she said anything to offend the priestess, Raegar would hear of it and be angry with her.
The novice finally left, saying that Treia would be expected to wake when she heard the morning bells calling her to worship. Treia had nothing else to do, and even though the sun was just starting to set, she lay down on the bed. She was tired, but she could not