She mustn’t cry. Akar’s leering face loomed above her, twisting in satisfaction as a hot burst of pain sliced through her core. Carissa clenched her jaw to prevent her lips from trembling and fastened her gaze on the ceiling. It was so beautiful. Another burst of pain had her clenching the blankets beneath her, her…
Heat winged across her cheeks before seeping into her ears and neck, as if she’d spent too many hours allowing the sun to drench her skin. How could she best extricate herself from this situation? Response to Elon? Make a break for the gardens? Greet the ladies? Silk rustled behind her, the sound coming nearer….
The Next Day Carissa sat up, blinking the sleepiness from her eyes. The other side of the bed was rumpled, its topmost sheet folded over, an impression left in the pillow. It seemed Elon had come and gone without her noticing. Carissa slid out of bed, the urge to cry sneaking up and her slowly…
The door to the dining room opened behind her and shut. Elon bit back a grin. “Did you see their— “Was that really necessary, Elon?” He blinked, wiping the grin from his face. “The foot play? Absolutely.” “Well, I’m glad you were amused by it.” Elon leaned back against the door, his arms folded. “I…
The Next Day Elon tugged on her corset laces. “Still too loose?” Carissa nodded, keeping her hands planted on the vanity’s edge. “Just a bit tighter. You could have the lady-in-waiting do this, you know.” He tied her laces. “I don’t see why I should delegate the task to her when I’m just as capable.”…
Carissa glanced over at Elon, waiting for him to tell the man ‘no.’ But Elon only glanced at her, a smile softening his lips. Was he amused? Did he want her to dance with the man? Carissa glanced back at the man. His caramel-colored hair was smoothed back in a pompadour, his smile stiff with…
“Announcing the arrival of King Elon and… his lovely bride and queen, Carissa.” Elon straightened, pride swelling within him at the announcement. He remembered the day he’d left the palace, how he’d stared towards the City of Zonah, his heart throbbing painfully in his chest, his palms clammy. The journey had officially been to reinforce…
Elisa’s clenched the note with ink-stained hands, her heart pulsing in her chest. The King’s messenger had come an hour ago, claiming the King wanted her—her, a nightwoman—to summon a renowned healer to turn Iver into a place of healing. It was better than she’d ever dreamed. Elisa stroked her thumb across the wording of…
“How can I help?” Carissa’s newly appointed lady-in-waiting froze, her slender hands still holding a lock of Carissa’s hair, and stared at Elon with rounded eyes. “Your–Your Majesty?” Elon strode towards Carissa, seated before the vanity. He rested his hands on her shoulders, left bare by the cut of her dress. “What can I do…
Carissa jolted awake and scrubbed her eyes. It seemed the carriage had bumped over a rock in the road. If only she’d slept the rest of the trip. Even in the carriage, the mountain air nipped at her ears no matter how high she pulled her hood over her head. She rolled her shoulders, feeling…