Page 40 of Anice’s Bargain

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Anice hadn’t needed Leila to tell her that the marriage would fail. Of course it would. What marriage starting under such circumstances could possibly be successful?

Regardless, in the following two days, her youngest sister’s warning carved their worry into Anice. They had affected James as well, though he didn’t say as much. Worry etched lines across his brow that he tried to smooth away when he saw her.

It was the night prior to Anice’s wedding and all she could do was stare at the gilt cloth dress. The thing was as heavy as it was costly. How fitting for a marriage that seemed to match those very traits.

A gentle knock sounded at her door. Her heart lurched with excitement as much as trepidation. But surely it was not James. They had not been alone together since the night of Leila’s dreams, and her declaration of failure.

Her warning could encompass so many different outcomes. It could be as simple as Anice’s inability to give James an heir, or it could be as great as the Grahams using the alliance to attack Werrick Castle. The latter thought sent an icy shiver down her back.

But Leila could not always elaborate on her visions, and so oftentimes, one was simply left with a warning.

“Anice, are you in there?” The warm voice curled around Anice’s fears like a balm.

“Marin.” Anice raced to the door, nearly tripping over Piquette, who leapt up with equal excitement.

Marin stood on the other side of the door, looking as regal as ever in a long, flowing blue dress and a wide, beautiful smile. She opened her arms and Anice flew into them like a child. The familiar comfort of her sister’s embrace exacerbated all the anxiety of Anice’s upcoming nuptials, and tears began to prickle her eyes.

The solid weight of Piquette laying his heavy body at their feet called her back to her senses and kept her emotions from overwhelming her. She pressed her head to Marin’s shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut until the threat of crying abated. She was a woman who was old enough to marry, a woman who had saved her people with her decision to wed James. Tears were for whelps.

“Are you well, Sister?” Marin asked and drew back, her brows pinched with concern.

“Aye, of course.” Anice waved off her sister. “Come in, we have so much to discuss.”

Marin bent to scratch Piquette’s ears and bestow a kiss on his broad head, but her expression still held skepticism and concern when she straightened. The woman was impossible with how much she seemed to inherently glean from others.

Anice rushed on before her sister could try to dig deeper. She wasn’t ready. Yet. “Life at Kendal agrees with you, Marin. You’re practically glowing.” Anice lowered her voice. “Unless there is perchance another reason why you’re glowing.”

Marin’s elated expression wilted slightly. “There is no child. Still.” Her fingers swept over her flat stomach.

“Then it must be marriage that so agrees with you.” Anice grabbed her sister’s hands to draw them from her empty womb. “You look perfect.”

The sparkle returned to Marin’s eyes. “I am so happy. Far more than I ever thought I could be.” Marin’s hands tensed against Anice’s. “I hope the same for you.”

It will be a failure.

“I am certain it will be,” Anice lied.

“And this is your dress.” Marin released her hands and swept to the wedding gown. She bent to examine the detailed hand embroidery at the neck and sleeves. “It’s lovely. You’ll be the most beautiful bride to ever grace a chapel.”

And just like that, with the power of Marin’s approval, the heavy garment took on an airiness that made Anice want to glide into it and soar.

“You do know what will happen, don’t you?” Marin asked the question in such a soft, low tone, Anice almost did not hear her.

“What will happen?” Anice asked slowly.

“Aye with, well, on the wedding night.”

“The wedding night,” Anice repeated.

Marin turned from the gown and made her way to the bed, dragging Anice with her. “Yes, the consummation.” She sat primly on the edge of the mattress and patted the space beside her for Anice.

Piquette leapt up on the bed, thinking the command for him.

Anice sat beside the bulk of his body and regarded her sister with an intentional wide-eyed innocence. This would be amusing, if nothing else.

Marin hesitated and gave a little sigh. “Heavens, I would have thought that you would have read those same books as Ella.”