Page 21 of Silverbow
“There have been no births, deaths, marriages, or new residents in this house since last year’s Testing?”
“No.”
“There is no other lady of childbearing years in this house?” She asked efficiently.
“No.”
She glanced at Enya and raised an eyebrow to the scribe. He shook his head. “You remain unmarried, girl?”
“Yes.” It was the first word she’d manage to push out, and it emerged with more bite than Enya intended. Louissa gave her a long look that held a hint of amusement and she had to scrounge up the strength to meet her stare.
“Their papers are in order?” She asked Master Lorry.
“All in order,” the scribe squeaked.
“Recruit Trakaw, if you please.”
Enya eyed the polished white rod that was extended to her over the back of the sofa.This is it.Her hand trembled as her fingers closed around the cool, glazed ceramic. She stared at the Testing rod in her hand, holding her breath.
Please gods, let the bow be enough.
The first heartbeat felt like an hour.
And then...
Warmth suddenly blossomed beneath her fingers. Enya nearly dropped the rod in surprise. Never had it felt like anything but cool ceramic.
Oh, light. This is it.
She squeezed her eyes shut, unable to look at the walls closing in on her.
The warmth built to heat and the heartbeats stretched on.
Please.
The heat was becoming unbearable. Her hand trembled harder as the ceramic began to scald her skin. She clenched her jaw against the cry that wanted to escape her lips. She would not be one of the screaming Recruits from the stories.
But if she held on much longer…Any second now, someone would notice.
Louissa Adler clicked her tongue.
“Next.”
What?
Enya was so stunned, it took her a beat too long to register that the wielder was passing over her. But when she handed the red hot rod to Liam, he would know. He would give her away, even if he didn’t mean to. But she couldn’t hold it any longer, so she extended it carefully, hoping he would read everything she was trying to convey in the look she gave him.
I’m sorry. It’s not your fault.
His hand closed around the rod without blinking. He didn’t flinch, he didn’t rip away. Enya marveled as Liam held the rod out at arm’s length as if it might bite.Oh, light. Liam.She quietly curled her fingers to obscure the evidence that throbbed in her hand, and placed it gingerly in her lap.
It felt like a banner declaring her guilt. Any moment now, someone would notice it was as red as the crimson lion. Or perhaps they had, and they were saving the collaring for the end. Sweat ran down Enya’s back and bile rose in her throat.Get out.She needed to get out, but she couldn’t move.
“Pity,” Louissa sighed, setting her teacup back on the table. “We’re finished here.”
What?
Master Lorry bent over his lap board, scribbling furiously on a small sheet of parchment. His apprentice waved it around to dry as he carried it to Liam.
