Page 37 of The Ivory King

“Yes, the nobility are fond of keeping themselves set above the people who feed them. It is so outdated, which is why I think that you and I will be the best of friends who work well together to advance our causes.”

“I’m sure we will be a good match in all ways,” I commented as I stared at the night sky.

“Well, not inallways. I have no interest in lying with you.” My gaze flew from a shooting star that I’d been wishing upon for V’alor’s return to my intended. “You look properly shocked. Do not be, for it is not that I find you distasteful in any way. I simply prefer the female form over the male.” Her sight darted to Merrilyn. Oh. Well, that did explain why the human wasstaring at me as if she wished I were dead. It seemed a common sentimentality of late.

“But…” My brain skittered to a total halt. “But we are to be married and produce a child.” I glanced about nervously, but only Merrilyn was to be seen. “If we do not consummate our vows…”

She smiled at me as one would a child asking a foolish question. “Do not worry, my lord, for Merrilyn has vast knowledge of the ways of womanhood. She is a skilled herbalist and has midwifery expertise. She has informed me that there are ways a woman can conceive and never touch a male.”

I blinked like a dullard. My gaze touched on the robust human sitting rigidly with her sight locked on us. I’d seen that look on V’alor’s face many times when he disliked a person seated too close to me. A stabbing pain sliced through me at the mere thought of him.

“Please do not say that she is a hedge witch,” I whispered over the low coo of several doves in a nearby cote.

“No, silly.” Raewyn giggled and patted my knee. “She is no dark witch just a woman with an intimate knowledge of the feminine form and internal workings. Do not fret. All is well in hand. We will fulfill our duties to the crown and our familial lines. I will escape this stifling place and you will add vast lands to the vills of Renedith. We suit well, always have, and our lives will be lived most pleasantly.”

I felt as if I were coming into a performance of a dramatic play midway. A bumbling actor without knowledge of his lines, while Raewyn was the playwright with all the knowledge of how the story would play out.

“But what if we seek the comfort of others?” I asked softly, unwilling to have her maid overhear us. Merrilyn looked ready to leap over the flimsy fence that separated the vegetables fromthe herbs if I so much as sneezed incorrectly. “Not that I wish to do so obviously, for you are a lady raised to be pious and—”

Raewyn laughed. A hearty laugh that was pleasant and honest.

“Pious. Oh my lord, the grand cloisterer has no clue as to what transpires betwixt my darling Merrilyn and me. And so it shall remain, for the sooner I am freed from this life, the happier I shall be.”

“So you are saying that if I should seek out someone other than you—”

“Seek away! I shall have Merrilyn in my bed nightly.”

“Yes, well, that is…I must say the letters that my grandfather has received from the grand cloisterer paint you to be…well, they lent me to believe that—”

“I was tight-rimmed, docile, and malleable? Yes, most do assume that, and while I hold the sisters in the greatest esteem, for they did care for me since I was a child, I am not cut for the wearing of the brown cloth of religious servitude. The Frostleafs are noble warriors and shipwrights. Surely you know of our contributions to Melowynn?”

I did. They had forged a mighty shipping empire that sailed to lands of fable and myth. Then they had been stricken with the widow’s touch, rumored to have been contracted when Raewyn’s father braved the uncharted lands to the northwest. A cure was found eventually, but all who had been on that ill-fated trip had perished, noble elf and common sailor alike, all but Raewyn. The sickness spread over the Frostleaf lands, killing thousands of elves of all ages.

For some reason, Ihdos touched those tending Raewyn, and they resisted the fungal ill, and soon a cure was discovered as Raewyn clung to life. The only staff member that remained was Merrilyn, a waif who had been assigned as a playmate for Raewyn. Humans do not contract the widow’s touch, althoughthey do carry many other sicknesses, and so the two children were brought here to live until Raewyn wed the young Stillcloud heir. Again reminding me of my life as a chess piece being moved from square to square by others.

“Your family name is one linked to bravery and service to the crown,” I said and got a soft sigh of thanks from Raewyn. I looked skyward at the twin moons as I worked up the courage to speak honestly to her. “I have someone as well,” I confided. “I think you will like V’alor. He is my guard captain and is coming to meet with us soon. We got separated during our trip here.”

I suspected that Lady Frostleaf was a trustworthy soul, but after the recent attacks, it seemed best to keep certain facts to myself. The number of people whom I could truly trust was down to five counting Umeris, and two of that five were not here. Beiro was newly added to that small group but had proven himself to me over the past few days. I could not speak for Pasil, but I suspected he was not keen on our guide.

“If he is good and honorable enough to win your heart, then I am sure that I shall. And if he for any reason ever saddens you, I shall punch him in the throat.”

That made me chuckle. I could easily imagine this tiny, formidable woman cold cocking my love.

“My guard Tezen will enjoy your company. She is a formidable woman in her own right.”

“I look forward to meeting her and the guard captain that you speak so dreamily about.”

“I…no, I do not speak dreamily, I am sure,” I argued and got a snicker.

“My lord Aelir, my dearest friend, your eyes glow with desire when his name is mentioned. I am glad you have someone to fulfill you as he does, for my love for Merrilyn is much the same.” She reached over to clasp my hand.

“I am…you are…thank you. I love him deeply and I worry for his safety. That is why I am perhaps a bit distant this eve.” I turned slightly to give her my full attention. “I beg your forgiveness for my inattention.”

“There is no need to apologize. I cannot imagine the fear that would claim me if Merrilyn were taken from me and I knew not of her well-being. I can see how deeply you love him. Fear not for Ihdos will bring him to you.”

“Thank you. I pray that to be the case.” We shared a look of affection, much like that of siblings. “There is much that you need to know before we return to Celear, my lady.”

“Oh, I assumed that we would head to Renedith,” she replied, tipping her head in confusion. A soft wind rustled through the trellises, shaking the dried peppers on the vines.

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