Page 104 of The Duke and the Disciple

Aesylt followed where Imryll was looking. Rahn was watching back, and their gazes connected briefly before he returned to his conversation. “He’s been acting strangely since yesterday. He denies it, but something is off.”

“The two of you have really bonded here.” Imryll’s even delivery made it impossible to read her meaning.

“Our interests are highly compatible,” Aesylt said carefully, stepping back when a handful of drunken men stumbled past, howling in laughter. “But the more time I spend with him, the more aware I am of how little I know of who he really is.”

“How so?”

“He has never spoken of what happened to him as a boy on Duncarrow, not to me anyway.”

“Not to anyone, as far as I know.” Imryll smiled and curtsied at Felice as she strode past in her sweeping violet gown, followed by her attendants.

Aesylt absentmindedly did the same, more interested in Imryll’s response.

“He lost everyone he knew and loved when he was only eight years old, and was forced to grow up very fast... like you did.”

“But how can you really know someone if they keep such a big part of themselves hidden?”

Imryll turned to look directly at her. “Have you told him everything that happened to you the night of the Nok Mora?”

Aesylt felt the blood drain from her face. “Well...”

“Have you toldanyone?”

Nik, Val, and the Castels each had pieces of that night, but no one had the complete picture. “What’s done is done. Vjestik trust in our Ancestors to guide us. Only the kyschun see the need to look into the past.”

“Then consider he may feel the same about what happened to him.” Imryll squeezed Aesylt’s arm. “I know you’re cross about the gown, but you’re beautiful no matter what you wear. You might ponder accepting at leastoneof the offers you’ve been rejecting. If you have to suffer through this, you may as well find some enjoyment.”

“Don’t feel much like dancing,” Aesylt said, right as Rahn was pulled onto the dance floor by a giddy Nyssa. She watched them, glowering silently, until she felt Imryll’s eyes on her. “What? You’re not dancing either.”

“The last man I danced with who was not my husband regretted asking.” Imryll grinned, her eyes toward the side in remembrance. “I know your heart is heavy, and tonight feels like an unnecessary distraction from what matters. But when things are darkest is when we need the light the most. We need our strength to face our trials. And, ah, don’t look now, but I believe Pieter is coming to ask you for a dance.”

Aesylt dug deep for a whisper of patience and braced. She mustered a mannerly smile right as he walked up. “Pieter.”

He gave an exaggerated low bow. “Stewardess. Lady Wynter.”

Aesylt wrinkled her nose. She delicately searched for Rahn and Nyssa and straightaway regretted it when he didn’t exactly look miserable. “Enjoying yourself tonight?”

“No more than you two.” He swept his gaze over both women with a sly grin. “You haven’t been with your scholar all evening.”

“And?”

“Aesylt and I have been enjoying some sister time.” Imryll looped her arm through Aesylt’s with an affectionate tug. “We’ve hardly seen each other.” She pecked a kiss on her cheek. “But I’m missing my son and think I’ll retire early, if it isn’t too impolite.”

Aesylt squinted at her in alarm.

“Not at all,” Pieter said. He reached for Imryll’s hand and brought it to his mouth. “If no one else has told you this tonight, Stewardess, you are a vision. Your husband is a fortunate man.”

“We both thank the fates for each other every night,” Imryll said. She squeezed Aesylt’s arm once more, ignoring her silent plea to stay. “Good night then.”

When she was gone, Pieter turned toward Aesylt. “I believe you owe me a dance.”

“I’d remember if I owed you anything. I never neglect a debt.” Aesylt cocked her head. She forced her eyes to blur against the distance when her gaze landed on Rahn and Nyssa again, who were enjoying aseconddance.She’s trying to turn heads. There’s nothing more to it.

“It’s an expression, Aesylt.” He held out his hand. “But if you prefer me to ask formally, then may I please have the pleasure of a dance with you?”

She didn’t have the energy for a refusal, and as soon as she put herself in motion, hand in hand with the forsaken heir, the heaviness she’d been wearing all evening surprisingly lifted. Rahn’s eyes twitched slightly when she passed with Pieter, and that, too, felt good, even though it was childish.

If nothing else, it would take her mind off her newest fear, fresh off a bout of sickness and a moon cycle that hadn’t arrived. That the most logical explanation was impossible, given their careful use of the celestial realm, wasn’t the comfort it should have been.

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