“It’s not ‘if’, Narthing,” Verice said grimly. “It’s ‘when’.”
Chapter Fifty-Six
It was three days before Warna had a glimmer of a rational thought in her brain.
Yes, she worked with Ersal and the others. Yes, she’d started making decisions about the celebrations. Hopefully, good ones; it wasn’t like she could remember them. Yes, she’d some semblance of sanity, but that was all it was. For in truth, it was the nights in Verice’s arms that seemed the center of her existence.
It wasn’t just the physical aspects, although just the thought of what they’d done, and what they’d do, and what they hadn’t done yet was enough to turn her body into a heated lump of pure desire. Verice was still insisting that they move slowly, pox take the mael. Each night she’d argued, he’d touch her and the argument was over, for all intents and purposes.
No, it wasn’t just that. It was the closeness. The feel of his leg against hers, or the smell of them in the bedding. Or arguing over whether the dogs would sleep in the bed with them.
She’d won. The dogs slept on the floor.
But as glorious as it was, Warna was suddenly counting the days until the Festival of Light and Laughter started. She began to feel a flutter of panic.
Verice was relying on her to find a way to open the Great Hall of the keep, and for the life of her she hadn’t any ideas. She remembered what she’d seen when she’d explored inside, the broken furniture, the dried blood. There had to be a way to honor the dead and yet bring the place back to life, but she wasn’t sure quite how to accomplish that.
The Festival lasted seven nights. Back home, most holidays were a few days at best.
In Tassinic, they’d combined the elven and human traditions into a seven-day long party, and while she applauded the idea, it made her task just that much more overwhelming.
Warna frowned. Hadn’t Ersal said something about a Priest of the Lady at the church in the city? He might have an idea or two, or at least be someone she could talk to about it without fear of raising old sorrows. She wasn’t above asking for help. This was just too important.
Verice entered her sitting room, lifting an eyebrow at the vases spread around the room.
“The gardeners have started on the flowers, trimming some things back,” Warna explained. “I didn’t want the blooms to be wasted.”
“I’ll have to check their work,” Verice said, coming closer, careful not to let his sword hit any of the vases. “I was wondering if you were free, m’lady?” He leaned on the arms of her chair and kissed her. Warna caught her breath at his touch and taste, and returned the kiss with joy.
Verice was breathing deeply when she finally broke away to take in air. “For lunch?” she asked, licking her lips.
“Or other things,” Verice growled.
She reached up, tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him down for a kiss that left no doubt as to her answer.
Or availability.
Later, when they sprawled on their bed, sated, and breathless, she asked. “When will you show me the rest? Teach me more?”
“Impetuous human,” he said softly.
“Staid elf,” she whispered back. She curled up, her head on his chest. “Could we make a trip into town? There’s someone I need to talk to.”
“No,” Verice rolled over onto his side, and pulled her close.
“Ersal tells me there is a Priest of the Lady at the church,” Warna placed a kiss on Verice’s collarbone. His skin tasted salty, and she blew a breath over the moist spot.
“Summon him here,” Verice murmured, cupping her breast.
“Verice,” she pushed at him back far enough to look into his eyes. “You don’t summon a Priest of the Lady. You go the church and you approach them with respect and humility,” she started to laugh as he raised an eyebrow. “Well, that’s what we poor humans do.”
“Unnecessary and far too dangerous,” Verice said firmly. “I refuse to authorize any trips into Octara.”
They left atdawn.
“Stubborn woman,” Verice grumbled under his breath as he mounted. Warna was already up on her horse. Her smile was soft, but he could see the triumphant gleam in her eye.
Once she’d won his concession to this little outing, she’d decided on five other tasks that could only be taken care of in the city.
