Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
They were not, for the most part.
Though perhaps not these ways.
“Go, my beloved friend,” I urged. “Sleep. I’ll see you on the morrow.”
Hera glared at me, glared at the pallet, glared at the tent wall beyond which was Serena, and then she nodded and took her leave.
I discarded moccasins, casings, tunic, arm shields, and body suit before I slid on a pair of panties and a shift.
I then climbed under the quilt with Dora.
She rolled and burrowed into me.
“My love,” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around her.
“I’m never taking a man,” she whispered back. “I’m going to be like Hera and find a sister to love.”
Hmm.
“I’m not sure that’s a choice, Dora, but if it is as you are, then I’ll be glad for you and wish for you that you find your truest love and she has the truest heart,” I said.
“All that grunting. And the cries,” she said.
The damage was done. I could do naught about it now.
I still would have words with my sister tomorrow.
Theodora’s next was tentative. “Does it hurt?”
“I don’t know, sweets,” I said. “Though Jasmine tells me it feels quite lovely and if times are right, it can be profound.”
“That doesn’t sound profound. It sounds painful and…arduous.”
I listened for a spell.
It did indeed.
I sighed, pulled her closer with one arm and tugged the quilts over our heads with another.
Then I did what I never, ever would do.
Unless it was for Theodora.
I disobeyed my queen.
In so doing, I expended a little magic to drown out the noise.
And to add to it, I started humming, then singing.
I started with the sad notes of the “Song of the Lost Sons.” The song about the Night of the Fallen Masters when our ancestors fled into the night, taking only their daughters with them, for their safety, and freedom, needing to leave all things male behind.
And when that seemed too melancholy to help my Dora sleep, I started to sing the “Hymn of The Enchantments.” The story of my many-times-great grandmother raising The Enchantments in the forest we claimed that was surrounded to the northeast by Airen, the south by Firenze, the northwest by Wodell, and at its northernmost tip was the city-state of Go’Doan.
It told of how the trees in the forest grew ever taller, ever wider, the branches stouter in order that we could build our homes in them.
It told of the shimmering veil that could not be seen by man, only by woman. On horse or in carriage, a man could ride a straight line and not know it was not straight, but was bordering The Enchantments, for he could not come in or even know where The Enchantments began. But a woman, if her heart was pure, and her need was deep, could see them and beseech them for entry, relief and liberty.
Dora fell asleep during the fourth verse, and when I was assured her sleep was deep, I dropped my magic.
It took some time for my sister and her companions to cease their play.
Even when they did, I held my Theodora close.
But I did not sleep.
For the morrow would be busy.
And I had much responsibility.
Last, and weighing most heavily on my mind, on the morrow…
I would meet my mate.
13
The Reason
Lady Silence Mattson
Entryway, First Floor, Catrame Palace, Fire City
FIRENZE
“It is not you, piccolina,” Farah said to me in a low voice as my future mother-in-law moved stiffly away after bidding a chilly goodnight.
We’d gone into the city with Queen Elpis, Sofia (Farah’s lovely (but very sad) mother), my mother and my aunt, Queen Mercy.
As well as a guard of Dellish and Firenz.
We’d dined in an establishment where we sat on cushions on the floor (which I had discovered made up most of the seating options in this land) and women in much skimpier attire than Farah normally wore undulated around us with sheer veils over the bottoms of their faces. They did this while ringing little cymbals together on their fingers.
It was extraordinary and held much beauty, even if it made me feel fidgety in a way I didn’t understand.
And the succulent spiced meat, flavored couscous, roasted vegetables, and flat pies filled with ground beef in a dense, tangy gravy were delicious (as all food in this land, I had discovered, was delicious).
I turned to my new somewhat-friend (only somewhat seeing as she and I had dined together every night since I had arrived, but other than that, I did not see her).
This night was the first with only the women (save Queen Ha-Lah, who had been invited, but word came from her husband that she declined).
The first night was the only night I dined with my future husband.
Though, on that night, he sat away from me, with his mother, and his friend, Prince Cassius, and totally ignored me.
Last night, and tonight, he dined alone with his men, Prince Cassius (and his men), Prince True (as well as his men) and King Aramus (and his men).