Page 91 of Whisper of Nightmares

“I am afraid that will not be possible.” Kelda’s raspy voice prowls from the dark parlor like a predator in the night. Euphemia hadn’t even known she’d been in there. The hearth isn’t lit. What was she doing, just sitting in the darkness?

Cybele cocks her head in challenge. “And why not?” But seeing the woman emerging from the shadows, Cybele recognizes her face. “You!”

When Kelda grins, it is all sharp teeth. “We meet again, cheerful-as-the-sun.”

For a moment, Cybele looks as if she might lunge across the room at Kelda and claw her eyes out. But, as she glances between the two of them, the outrage in her face dissipates into fear instead. Her gaze finally settles on Euphemia. “What is going on here?”

For one terrible moment, Euphemia’s thoughts drift somewhere far beyond this cold manor.

Somewhere beyond this world, Ash is still wandering Helheim. Still searching for the pieces of himself he cannot remember.

And she is standing here, arguing with her sister.

With so much at stake, Euphemia collects herself.

The best thing to do now is to set Cybele’s worries at ease so she can get back to finding Ash.

“I already told you, sister,” she says firmly. “There is nothing going on here. I simply married. That is all.”

Cybele shakes her head, one finger outstretching. “No. I don’t believe you. If this were only a marriage, then why was it done in secrecy?”

Euphemia arches a brow at her. “You think our mother would have ever said yes?”

A muscle in Cybele’s pointed jaw flexes. She glances to Kelda. Then to Euphemia. And just before it looks like acceptance might work its way into her expression, her gaze veers to the abyss of the parlor, and something like doubt seeps back in.

“Where is your husband then? Why can’t I meet him?”

Kelda folds her arms, a challenge in the way she leans against the doorframe.

Euphemia steps forward. “He’s out, I’m afraid. Left for a horseback ride not too long ago.”

Cybele’s head swivels to the open door behind her and the rain pouring outside.

Euphemia curses herself. With Cybele’s back turned toward them, Kelda flashes her a look that asks if that is the best she could come up with.

“A horse ride. Of course,” Cybele says with cheerful annoyance. Then, grabbing a lit candle from a sconce, Cybele shoves past Kelda and marches into the parlor.

With an apologetic look to Kelda, Euphemia charges after her. “Cybele!”

But her sister is already plopping onto one of the settees. “That’s no bother. We’ll just wait for his return then. After all, it was a rather long journey for me. I hoped I might stay awhile. Spend some time with my younger sister and rest before I journey home again. Unless… there is a reason you don’t want me here?”

Now Euphemia’s jaw muscles twitch. “Of course not. You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like.”

“Wonderful.” Cybele fans her skirts out. “Might you fetch us some tea? It was a dreary trip.”

Rolling her eyes, Euphemia starts for the stairs where she left her tray. But Kelda’s hand catches her shoulder.

She leans in, whispering, “I’ll get your tea. But do not let that one out of your sight.”

Nodding her understanding, Euphemia joins her sister in the parlor. Kelda brings them the tray of tea a moment later. Then she turns her attention on hearth, starting a fire that Euphemia thinks is just an excuse to stay close by.

Cybele pours herself a cup of tea and sips.

“Tell me, Euphemia. What is he like, this husband of yours?”

Euphemia chokes on her drink, fanning her tongue in an effort to make it seem as if she’s just burned herself and not been caught off guard by the line of questioning. “What’s he like?”

“Yes, silly,” Cybele replies with a smile that does not reach her eyes. “Tell me everything. What is your new life like here? How do you and your beloved spend your evenings? Do you ever join him on these late-night horse rides, or does he always go on them by himself?”