She looked around her room, at the things that had surrounded her for most of her life. Childish storybooks of happily-ever-afters. A sketch she’d drawn as a child. It was awful, she had no proclivity for drawing whatsoever, but what made it even sadder was the subject: her rendition of a false, happy family. Her brother and her, with her mother and father behind them.
She picked up a pillow from the chair by the window, putting it over the drawing. The drapes at the window fluttered as she walked by, and in her mind she pictured the lavish curtains of Castle Ahlen.
Her walls were bare, with no sign of the rich tapestries that adorned Torian’s own chambers.
Her eyes drew to the bed itself. Though it dwarfed most pallet beds, like the one in Mairi’s chamber, it would be considered small next to Torian’s at Castle Ahlen. She didn’t even want to think how disappointing her home must seem to him. Why, he probably thought he’d rescued her from near poverty.
Until that moment, Emariya had never truly felt self-conscious. She looked down at her feet, not knowing what to say. What did she have to offer him? A long, awkwardly silent moment passed and then she felt Torian’s hand in her own.
Begging her heart to stop racing, she turned to face him and lifted her eyes to his. Was she ready for this?
Stroking her chin lightly, he smiled. “Stop worrying, please.”
Emariya closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of his touch. “It’s not that simple.”
“What are you worried about?” His breath was sweet on her face as he pulled her closer.
Without opening her eyes, she whispered, “That I won’t be enough for you.”
“My land needed what yours has. When I agreed to marry you, I knew you were the best thing for Thalmas—”
Emariya groaned, and opened her eyes to look at him. “I want to be more than a meal for the people of Thalmas. Compared to your castle, my home is not much more than a shack. You could have had anyone you wanted, so why me?”
“Let me finish.” He touched a finger to her lips, shushing her. “While I knew you were the best thing for Thalmas, what I didn’t know was that you would also be the best thing for
me.”
Her heart fluttered at his words. “You could have had someone who wouldn’t be terrified of sharing a bed with you.”
“Emariya, you’ve slept beside me every night for weeks.” When Torian smiled, only one side of his mouth turned up, tempting Emariya to softly reach out and run her fingers along his lips.
“I didn’t mean sleeping.” She held his gaze as she waited for his response.
Realization made his eyes light up, silver and playful. “Oh.”
“Oh,” she repeated.
“Terrified?” His eyes searched her face.
Emariya nodded.
“Not excited?” He trailed the thumb that had been stroking her chin down her neck, sending a wave of heat rolling through her.
Unable to speak, she shook her head no.
“Not even a lit bit?” He leaned forward, lightly brushing his lips against hers. It was all Emariya could do not to reach up and wrap her fingers in his hair.
Her body was screaming
yes
as she whispered, “No. Not even a little bit.”
“That’s a shame,” he whispered as he trailed his fingers lower, traveling excruciatingly slowly from her neck to her waist.
“Why?” she asked, but it came out as a squeak.
“Because if you aren’t excited, or at the very least eager even if you are nervous, then we will have to wait. If you don’t want—”
An involuntary moan rose in her throat.
He traced gentle circles on her back. “Does that mean that maybe you
are
interested in considering the possibility?” he asked, pulling her by the waist toward the bed.
Her lip trembled while she searched for an answer. She wanted so much to say yes, but could she?
“I’m nervous, too,” he said, his voice gentle.
His admission gave her the courage she needed. Nothing had changed. She was still a Stone, and so was he. They didn’t know any more than they had before. But tonight, she just needed to be a girl in love with her prince. The fire they’d started back in Thalmas had burned hotter and hotter, and she could stand it no longer. She leaned into him, initiating a kiss, offering her lips and more.
Her skin was still flushed and slightly clammy with sweat as they lay in her bed later that evening.
She pressed in close to Torian, for heat and reassurance. Torian mumbled something unintelligible in his sleep and opened his eyes halfway.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said, his voice husky with sleep.
Emariya blushed and eyed her simple linen shift lying on the floor. Keeping the blanket pulled around her, she tried to lean across Torian to blow out the candle on her night table. She yelped in surprise as he caught her with both hands and pulled her on top of him.
“Where do you think you are going?” he asked.
“I was trying to blow out the candle so I could get dressed.”
“I fail to see the necessity of either.” Torian grinned.
Blushing, Emariya laughed. “Be that as it may, I’d like to get dressed, and I’d like to do it in the dark.”
“Oh no, absolutely not.” Torian’s grin widened. “If it’s dark, I can’t admire what’s mine.”
Feigning outrage, Emariya swatted at him. “I’m not a broodmare to be evaluated!”
Torian shook his head solemnly. “You’re right, you’re much nicer than any horse I’ve ever seen.”
Several hours later, Emariya had donned her shift and was again lying next to him, cradled in his arms. He’d replaced his trousers, but nothing else. Their teasing about broodmares had reawakened her worries. “What do you think would happen if we had a child?”
“Do you mean what type of parents would we be? Wonderful ones, of course.” Torian raised himself up on one elbow to look down at her. “Emariya, you are nothing like your mother.”
She bit her lip, emotion rising from his compliment. “No, I mean, because of the Stones. Our child would have all three gifts. I know we are bound, but what if the prophecies only come into effect after a child is conceived?”
Torian’s eyes darkened slightly. “If we have a child, it will be the second happiest day of my life.
No prophecy spouted by my foolish ancestors is going to diminish that. No matter what happens, we’ll face it together. I can’t believe that anyone who would be half you could bring evil to pass.”
Emariya frowned, not convinced. “So your family foretold the prophecy?”
“We don’t know for sure, but my father always thought so. I mean, who else would have? We’re the only ones who can see what can come.”
“Perhaps that was one vision they should have kept to themselves. I think telling it has caused more trouble already than whatever trouble they expected to come from the binding.”
“Truer words were never spoken. But for now...it isn’t speaking I want to do.” He leaned over her.
Emariya laughed, pretending to push him away. “Again?”
Each time Emariya looked at Torian the next morning, she blushed.
Warming her with an intimate, private smile, he shut her chamber door behind them. “I’m thinking about it, too.”
She didn’t have to ask him what he meant. In all likelihood, neither of them would soon forget. It had been a single, brilliant spot of happiness amidst months of turmoil. Emariya glanced around the corridor to ensure they wouldn’t be overheard, then shook her head. “While that is a pleasant thing to think about, it isn’t first on my mind.”
“What is, then?”
He tipped his head closer to hers, keeping their conversation intimate, but also heating her blood with thoughts of the previous night. And that morning.
Emariya bit her lip, trying to concentrate. “Do you think we can trust my grandparents?”
“I believe so, why?” His eyes flicked upwards, as if the reasons she might not trust them could be written on the ceiling. A moment later his gaze returned to her, waiting for her answer.
Was she just being paranoid? After so many betrayals, she couldn’t help holding her trust close to her heart.
“I don’t know, their reluctance to tell us about Fidwen makes me nervous. How do we know they are really on our side?” She chewed her lip nervously as she lead Torian toward her father’s study...though, whose study it was now she really couldn’t say. Hers and Torian’s perhaps.
Torian sighed, lightly touching her shoulder. “Riya, wait.”
Meeting his gaze as she turned, she waited for him to continue.
“No one can blame you for it, but don’t seek betrayal everywhere you look. You’ll only drive yourself out of your senses. You didn’t see how distraught your grandfather was when he learned what your mother was doing to you. Or how happy it made your grandmother just to lay eyes on you. When I brought you to their retreat... No, I have no doubts about their loyalties.”
Emariya smiled, realizing he’d come to know her so well. She wished she could borrow his confidence, but at least she had his support. Maybe he was right and her grandparents wouldn’t be the next family members to hurt her.
Torian and Emariya were the first two to arrive in the study. She watched as Torian drifted around the room, eyeing the spines of her father’s books. It wasn’t long before they were joined by Alara and Kahl, then Jessa and Blaine. Garith entered last, with Mairi on his heels.
“Can I get anyone anything?” the old woman asked.
“No, thank you, Mairi. You’re welcome to join us though if you like,” Emariya said.
“Nonsense. You leave me to the running of the household, I’ll leave you to the running of the world. Let me know if you need anything.”
Jessa smiled after her mother left. “I think she’s happy to have all of us to take care of again.”
Alara nodded. “I expect so. Those of us used to raising children...well, suffice to say, it isn’t the same once those children leave home.”
“Do you think she’ll be all right once we leave?” Garith’s face twisted into a worried frown.
“I think someone needs to stay here,” Emariya said.
“I agree,” Garith said. “I was thinking it over last night, and I believe people will continue to see whoever holds Warren’s Rest as leading Eltar. We don’t want to leave it vulnerable for your brother to return.”
“Who would we leave?” Torian asked.
Blaine crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Not me. My father expects me to stay wherever you are, to keep an eye on your progress.”
Jessa lightly touched his arms. “No one was suggesting you stay behind. Besides,” she said shyly,
“I’ll have to go with Riya to tend to her, and I’ll enjoy having you along.”
Emariya’s mood, so lighthearted earlier this morning, darkened. Of all the men in The Three Corners, why did Jessa have to fall for
him?
She was tempted to tell Jessa that she could manage without a handmaiden just fine, thank you very much, but the red-haired girl silenced her with a preemptive glare.
“It is going to be dangerous; whoever goes needs to be prepared for that,” Emariya said.
Garith scowled. “Because it’s not like the last few months haven’t been fraught with danger or anything. Come on now, Riya, I don’t think any of us have any misconceptions about what lies ahead.”
Biting her lip, Emariya tried to fight back the tears threatening to spill over. “I just wish I could be sure you each could be safe. Every one of you means so much to me. We’ve already lost my father, and Roel. And Leil. If I were to lose any of you...”
“Even me?” Blaine grinned.
Gritting her teeth, Emariya forced the words out. “You are important to Jessa, therefore, I’d like you to at least not die.”
Everyone in the room laughed, even Blaine.
“As much as I would like to say that a Warren should hold the Rest, I’m the last Warren other than my brother.” She turned to her grandparents. “I think maybe you two are the best choice.” She wasn’t sure she trusted them, but she didn’t want to lose them either. With their age, the journey wouldn’t be easy right after their long journey from Sheas. The residents might be hesitant to accept them, but Mairi could help ease their transition.
Kahl shook his head. “I came all this way to guard you from your mother, and perhaps your brother. I’m not staying behind.”
Emariya sighed. “You really
all
want to come? Doesn’t anyone value sleeping in a real bed?”
Torian took her hand. “It would seem you are stuck with us, My Lady.”
“My brother may have learned to channel the gift of the Warrens. If so, we don’t know what sort of power he will possess.”
“All the more reason for us to stick together,” Torian said.
Garith spoke up. “We can leave my father here at the estate to help Mairi. The tenants will be back from rounding up their families soon. I think after everything, they’d probably not like to have outsiders here anyway.” He looked at the Roths apologetically. “No offense.”
“None taken,” Alara said.
So much for leaving any of her companions here in relative safety. “Fine, so we are all going. But
where
are we going to?” Emariya spread a map out on the heavy desk.
Garith walked over and looked past her shoulder. “Damphries. It’s the logical choice. We’ll be able to focus on the uprising in the Uplands from there, and it is the central estate. Hopefully, as the other Councilors make their way there, they will pick up some news of where your brother may be.”
Torian stood on her other side, looking at the location Garith indicated. “It makes sense.”
“When do we leave?” Blaine asked.
“We’ll send the pigeons immediately, with a copy of my father’s proclamation as well as an order calling the Council together. We’ll plan to meet at Damphries in two weeks. That gives us a week of travel, and a few days to gather supplies. The same for the other Councilors.”
“What supplies are you looking to take?” Garith was getting a faraway look in his eyes, likely already contemplating what he wanted to get done.
“Wagons. I want medical supplies because we don’t know how bad things may have become in the Uplands. Firewood, food to send in additional wagons through the pass to Thalmas as soon as the snow clears. Plus everything we were already traveling with.”