Page 23 of Dishonor Among Thieves
“It’s an agreement,” Neo supplied, but I couldn’t help noticing how he didn’t look at me as he said it. “Please, Gia. We’re all in agreement. Let’s not delay.”
I glared at him, annoyed that would so quickly dismiss his sister-in-law’s concerns, but Gia seemed unperturbed by his manner. Perhaps she was just used to the cantankerous, abrasive vampire. She left the sitting room to gather ink and parchment.
For long seconds, the fire crackling and the heavy sounds of Neo’s breathing as he leaned against the window blocked out all my thoughts, leaving plenty of space for my fears. I thought of my sister, of what she might think if she heard I was to be married. Would she refuse to celebrate, knowing that this marriage was one of convenience? Born of circumstance and secret, not love? Or would she applaud the opportunities such a union might bring?
Try as I might, I could not conjure any memory, could not hear my sister’s voice. A vague, shadowy image of her face fluttered across my mind, and I closed my eyes and gripped the charm at my neck.Send me your love, Gini,I prayed,from wherever you are. Would that you were at my side now.
Gia returned and quickly drew up the contract, which conveyed to me on the eve of our wedding exactly what I’d requested. Neo stood over the scribe’s shoulders, guiding her as she penned what he and I had so quickly agreed upon.
“And your terms, Neo?” Gia waited, the quill poised over the inkwell, waiting for his answer.
“That is all,” he said curtly.
She looked at him, her face no doubt looking as puzzled as mine.
“That is all,” he repeated, more sharply. He pointed to the parchment. “Signature?”
Gia handed him the quill, which he dipped into the horn of ink. He signed his name in long, unhurried strokes, as if the gravity of this undertaking deserved a somber, elegant hand. Then he handed the quill to me, and I added my name beside his. As was the custom of the Realm of Tutovl, it was done. Without a word or a glance or any further ceremony, by mutual vow and agreement, we were married. Gia signed the document, witnessing the commitment we’d made and then quickly wrote up a second, far simpler version. That one did not include the full terms of the marriage. All the shire-reeve required to certify our marriage as valid and binding was the date, a second set of our signatures, and the witness’s signature.
After assuring us that she would submit the document to the shire-reeve on her next trip to the village, Gia turned to me.
“Lady Oderisi,” she said, gifting me a sincere but small smile. “Welcome to the family.”
I was in shock, truly. Not only because something as significant as a marriage could be accomplished so simply, but also that Neo had not bothered to make his terms a permanent part of the contract.
“Thank you,” I said, unsure what had truly just happened.
Gia, now my sister-in-law, left the longer version of the contract with us and took the simpler away with her. Then, she left us.
Me and my husband.
* * *
The restof the day passed quickly. Odile insisted on dressing me for the evening meal, as well as styling my hair. Gia sat with us, still adorned in her day breeches and tunic, and watched as Odile fussed over me like a treasured friend. Not someone she’d known a single day. I bathed and then retired to Odile’s bedroom, where I sat gingerly on her bed, brushing out my hair so it would dry by the heat of the fire.
Odile laid out several dresses that she thought would fit me and made a lovely crown of flowers and leaves she’d picked from the Oderisi grounds.
“You’re a wonder, sister,” Gia said softly. “Healer, designer of hairstyles, wardrober.”
I was in shock, truly, at the generosity of Odile. She chattered at me as though she was delighted to spend time with me. Her innocence and energy was infectious, and I found myself grateful for the sisters’ company.
Gia, while kind, was more reserved. “I’d best change into something more festive,” she said, brushing her hands on her thighs. Her long hair was tied back in braids, and she had a trace of ink still staining her fingertips from writing up the marriage contract.
“Gia, before you go… Do you think you might teach me something in the coming days? I was hoping to learn to make breeches.” I nodded at the day dress I’d discarded before bathing, which now looked so ripe, I didn’t think I’d be able to wear it ever again. At least not until I’d washed it thoroughly. Maybe twice.
“I’d love to teach you.” Gia grinned and looked much more relaxed as she nodded. “I hate dresses. Hate them! Thankfully, the clothes I prefer suit my occupation.”
She retreated to the rooms she shared with Rain to ready herself for dinner, while Odile took over brushing my hair.
“Can I ask about your charm?” she asked, carefully pulling the brush through my waist-length hair.
“Of course,” I said, closing my eyes and luxuriating in the absolute bliss of having my hair brushed. I’d not been tended to this way since…since my mother was alive. The relaxing strokes against my scalp, Odile’s soft voice, and the warmth of the fire nearly put me to sleep. “It was a gift,” I explained, trying to keep my relaxed lids open. “I was close to a girl at the foundling home. I called her my sister, but… She was just another foundling. Like me. She left this under my pillow the day she left the home.”
“What a precious treasure.” Odile smoothed my hair with her hands and opened a small vial of scented oil. She dribbled the fragrant contents on my scalp and massaged the oil through my hair, making me smell of lavender and cedar.
“Mmm,” I sighed, falling into an even deeper state of relaxation. “That smells wonderful.”
“It’s a love potion,” she confessed, a giggle in her voice. “The tonic smells of lavender and cedar, but the secret ingredient is sea holly. I dry it and grind it then infuse it in oil. I strain the leafy bits, which color the oil a vibrant blue, and then add just a few drops to the lavender and cedar.”
