Page 19 of A Conduit of Light
“Don’tlook so surprised, girls, it is common for the residingBaronto take a lover from the channelers he brings.Usuallyseveral over his time.But…” she added wistfully, “never does he take a lover for decades like me.”Sheglowed with pride whileAshscowled.
“NodoubtBaronRevichwill be looking to one of you soon…”
Ashscoffed whileClairanniawent pale.
“Well, he’d have to look to these two beauties here if that’s the case.Ialready have a lovely woman back home whomIintend to sleep beside every night whenIreturn.”Figuerahtook a big bite of her cinnamon bun, the icing sticky on her fingers and made a noise of delight.
“Oh, that is sweet, dear.Ofcourse, you can choose to encourage theBaron’sadvances or not, but on my advice, it makes your time here much more fun.”
Clairannia’scheeks burned red asFiguerah,Ash, andSylvalaughed together at the talk of lovers, the sound echoing up into the trees that swayed with a common fervor.
* * *
Afterthey had eaten allthe food, bellies content, the three helpedSylvapack up the luncheon and spoke their gratitude, saying goodbye to her fondly.
Soonafter, they caught sight ofBaronRevichenteringViridisthrough the portal and hustling down the vast stairs, unaware that he had left.
Whenhe reached them with a wide smile, his black eyes warring with the blue they must have originally been, he clapped his hands together, rubbing them heartily. “Well, well, channelers—you look rested and full.Amorning inViridiswill do that, even to the most reluctant of hearts.”Hesmirked, his lips curling to the side as he winked inAsh’sdirection. “Followme, please, back intoFelgrenwe go.”
Whatwas it about his energy that irritated her so?ClairanniaandFiguerahseemed to enjoy his infectious spirit, like an excited puppy every time they met him.ButasAshbegrudgingly followed the hound, arms crossed, and her happy mood dulled at the sight of him, she couldn’t really find a fault in it.Perhaps, she admitted, she wanted thunderstorms and he was clear blue skies.Shewanted to mope and resist all enjoyment inFelgren, but had been unable to do so walkingViridis’shalls and laughing with the other women.
TheBarons, however, were who she could direct her anger to.Theywere the reason for her cloud, they were forcing her to stay, even though just hours before she had admitted to not wanting to leave.Wasshe being fair?Likelynot, she admitted, asBaronRevichled them back down the dark corridors of theFortress.
Watchinghis back, her thoughts and memories turned toGeyrand.She’dbeen around very few men her own age, one like her brother, the other a friend and lover.
Geyrandhad accepted her as a friend when they were children as she proved she could keep up with thePrince’sroughhousing just as well as he could.Asthey had gotten older, they began to see each other in a different way, and one morning when she had visited him during his post, she’d kissed him.Itled to many more days and nights of secret meetings and awkward, fumbling bodies as most first trysts do.Geyrandwas quiet, never saying more than necessary, speaking often with his gestures and subtle manners.Hewas attractive in his quiet calm, andAshhad delighted in finding him no real challenge to her desires.
Butshe did not love him.Shedid not dream of a future with him in it.Shehad read about that kind of love and heard the story of theQueen’scompanion before he had died when thePrincewas just a few days old.
“Wewere inseparable, your father andI,” theQueenwould whisper in the dark to thePrincesome nights when he asked about his father. “Wehad the kind of bond told about in storybooks and song.Alove that brings peace and purpose to your heart.OneIhope you find, my dearest.”
Ashwould ponder her words, turning toward the wall in thePrince’sroom, little fingers tracing the vine pattern painted there.Shewanted to find that kind of love, too.Hadher parents loved each other like that?Dideveryone find a companion to love, or just the lucky ones?Buthow many times had theQueentold her all she really needed was her own companionship?Shenever whispered such hopes toAshin the dark before sleep.
Itwas possible, she thought, that theQueenhad seenAsh’spurpose as more of a friend to her and thePrincein the future.Notso much a servant, but not exactly family, either.Notreally belonging, but too useful to let leave.
Maybeshe was right.EvenafterGeyrand’sintimate, longing kiss at her departure,Ashhad felt no more love for him than the friendship she had felt for many years before.Itseemed likely she was better off on her own.
“You’llbe exhausted tonight.”BaronRevich’svoice interrupted her thoughts and she blinked in confusion, finding that they had arrived back in the foyer.
“Hmm?”Sheturned to face him, catching the scent of amber and earth, realizing how close she had come to his body.
“Isaid, you’ll be exhausted tonight,Ash.Thefirst full day is often the hardest, and experiencingViridisfor the first time…”Heshoved his hands into his pockets, leaning to the side. “IwishIcould live that again.”
Ashbit her lower lip, wondering if she should agree or say nothing at all.Instead, she gave a short nod, casting her eyes away from his small smile, turning toward the doors leading toFelgren.
Hewas just being nice,she reminded herself, feeling foolish for her lack of response.Colorrose to her cheeks as he swept past her as if their conversation had not occurred at all, opening the doors and gesturing for the women to follow him into the forest.Shesighed and shoved her own hands into her skirt pockets, managing to fall behind—wondering if she’d ever truly have a place she belonged.
Chapter9
Karus
Itracedthe letters of my name across the wooden music box.
K-A-R-U-S
Thebox usually gathered dust on my vanity, but today, as the morning sun greeted me in my sulky temperament, chin resting on my fist,Iwondered where it had come from.Ialways assumedMoira, my only friend, had it made for me, but wood carving,Irealized, was not really in her repertoire.
Iopened the lid and music filled my ears, though dying out quickly beforeIrewound the clasp on the back of the box.Afamiliar song filled my room.
