Page 92 of A Frozen Pyre
The attendant looked exhausted. “Ceneth has instructed us to accommodate your requests. He suggested that you and your companion might have alternate modes of travel. Would you like attendants to travel with you and Lady Dwyn?”
From beneath the pile of pillows, Dwyn said, “I’m no lady.”
Ophir concealed a smirk. “When does he plan to depart?”
“Today, Your Grace. Even flying, he expects it will take a few days. There was talk of asking your companion to travel the party members individually, until someone pointed out that it was her secondary power. I suppose it’s only safe for her to use it once or twice.”
Ophir blanched at the idea of Dwyn being backed into a corner of having to merrily transport dozens of members of the Raascot court.
“You’re right,” Ophir said quickly. “Even with the two of us alone, she’ll be sick for days after. If it will take Ceneth a few days to travel, then Dwyn and I will remain in the castle until he’s projected to arrive in Aubade. I don’t desire to arrive on the coast ahead of time.”
The woman hesitated, and Ophir was curious how bold her attendant was. Would she ask why Ophir wasn’t interested in planning for her wedding? In seeing her parents? In watching the sun set over the western horizon in the days preceding her nuptials? But no. The woman said none of that. If Ophir hadn’t made her disrespect to the castle, her betrothed, and her title clear enough, she’d take every opportunity to do so now, should she be pressed.
She suspected that the attendant saw all of this and more, for she merely nodded and said, “I’ll be back thisafternoon to help you pack before I depart. Another attendant will stay behind to see to your needs while you remain in the castle. I’ll be ready in Aubade to receive you, Princess Ophir.”
“It isn’t necessary,” Ophir said.
The woman’s brows met in the middle.
“Help me pack, if you will. But I have attendants in Aubade I’ve known for decades. I don’t mind spending a few days with them before I return to Gwydir to live out my days. You and I have a long future ahead of us. Why not give yourself a reprieve and take a holiday while I’m on the coast? Unless you have a deep-seated urge to watch two star-crossed lovers in their royal wedding.”
“I do not, Your Highness.”
Ophir chuckled lightly at the woman’s frankness. “Then please, go see your family. Do something nice for yourself. Don’t worry about me.”
“As you wish,” she said. But as she closed the door, Ophir thought she caught the first appreciative glimmer she’d ever seen on the attendant’s face.
They scarcely had the time to roll out of bed and help each other into their gowns before another knock broke their secretive chatter. Ophir slammed her mouth shut as if whoever was at the door could possibly have understood what “draining” meant or what it was they’d accomplished only one day before. Dwyn rolled her eyes as she marched toward the door, face set to give the attendant an earful.
“Unless you’ve returned with tea—”
Ophir peered over Dwyn’s shoulder to see who’d succeeded in stopping her sentence in its tracks. Suley stood in the doorway.
Dwyn pushed the door open a bit farther and dropped her arm, but she didn’t step aside.
“Dwyn,” Suley said, nodding first at the siren. “Princess Ophir,” came her acknowledgment as she called into the room. “Queen Zita and I request your presence in ameeting.”
Ophir moved toward the door before Dwyn had a chance to say something snarky. She stood beside Dwyn, shoulder to shoulder. “When?”
Suley looked between them. “Now, Your Highness. And Lady Dwyn is invited.”
Dwyn’s face changed. Her brows lowered, setting with cool suspicion as she stared at Suley.
“Where is this meeting?” Dwyn asked.
Ophir didn’t understand the odd ice that had entered her voice. Cautious hostility rolled off her like smoke.
“Please, follow me,” Suley said.
Ophir took a step forward, but Dwyn positioned her arm to block her advance. Ophir blinked at the forearm acting as a barricade, then frowned up at Dwyn.
“No,” Dwyn said.
Ophir and Suley exchanged surprised glances.
“Dwyn,” Ophir whispered, “Zita and I have an agreement. She and I—”
“Have her come,” Dwyn said.
