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)
She studied me at great length.
Then her beautiful face grew soft.
“True speaks highly of you. In the times you and I have shared together, I knew he spoke as he is. True. But it seems he was very true.” She bent and pressed her cheek tightly to mine. “Goodnight, sorellina.”
I felt warm in my insides for sorellina meant little sister and she had not yet called me that.
I liked it better than piccolina (little one), though that was also nice.
And obviously I liked it scads better than little monkey.
She pulled away.
“And all will be well with Elpis,” she assured. “She is a good woman who is kind of heart and very generous. But she loves her son and is protective of him. More, she grieves her husband, a man she adored, and my mother and I being here I fear has opened a wound that perhaps she has learned to live with, but we remind her that it will never truly heal. It will take time, but you will win her, I’m sure.”
I did not share her optimism.
Though now I was also concerned that Elpis would never allow these two ladies back into her heart, somewhere they wished dearly to be, and they were kind souls, so it would prove true that Elpis was generous if they could all become again what they once were.
Or a version of it.
I still smiled.
She smiled back and moved away.
“Silence, my dear, are you going up with me?” Mother called as I tore my gaze from Farah linking her arms with her mother and moving them both to the wide staircase.
“I’ll be up in just a moment,” I said to my mother.
Her brows knitted. “What will you do down here?”
“I haven’t really had a full wander of the palace yet. I’m restless. Tomorrow is a busy day. I think I’ll take this opportunity to have a look at the home that will soon be mine and perhaps a wander will fatigue me.”
That was when my mother’s face softened, she approached and touched her lips to my cheekbone.
“That will be fine, daughter,” she whispered against my skin and then pulled away and looked into my eyes. “Enjoy your wander, but don’t make it long. Tomorrow is busy, my dearest, and you need your sleep. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
I nodded.
She took hold of my upper arm and gave it an affectionate squeeze before she drifted away.
I watched until I could see her no more on the wide staircase carpeted in patterned rugs with fringe at the sides, and I kept my gaze there long after she’d disappeared.
After that, I wandered.
But when I did, I took nothing in.
My mind was too full.
I was trying not to think of my future husband wearing only those pants.
I could not, however, keep my thoughts from what it was seeming my life might be.
My husband had many men, and he spent much time speaking to them or behind closed doors with them.
Or behind them with King Gallienus. Or Prince Cassius. Or King Gallienus and Prince Cassius. Or King Wilmer and True. And now King Aramus.
Etcetera.
I had been told of all this. Or I had been told he was with his mother, or out in his city, doing king things that were not explained, or with his staff (and mother), overseeing the events and ceremonies that were to come.
Not with me.
True’s attention was pulled by King Mars, King Wilmer, my father, Cassius, True’s lieutenants that made up part our guard (etcetera).
But I saw him on occasion having a quiet moment with Farah, getting to know her, and I was heartened that they seemed to be growing an affinity.
I feared his heart was still with Elena, but Farah was lovely, and even if Elena was fierce of spirit and beautiful to behold, I did not doubt Farah would soon earn True’s regard.
The same did not seem to be something my intended wished to earn from me.
These were my thoughts as I stared through the flawless scrollwork of the screen over a window in one of the less formal rooms to the east side of the palace.
What was beyond that screen were the formal palace gardens with their tiled paths, lush greenery, mosaic pools and flowing fountains.
In the time I’d been there, I had wandered them a bit.
And I decided, tomorrow, while everyone was preparing for the parade and the reception after, I’d wander them more.
Perhaps take a book. I hadn’t had any time to read since we left Wodell.
I sighed, deciding my life would not be much different here than it was at Bower Manor, though my accommodation more opulent and with many more people about. Then, of course, there would be the fascinating city to discover. And the lovely palace gardens.
But in the end, without my mother there after she left, and Farah and Sofia being with True, I knew it would be far more lonely.