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"Yeah, I..."
"Go," Irila told me. "When the guest of honor demands..." She stole my glass and shooed me towards the dance floor. "You obey, guardian."
So I allowed Yamina to lead me into a large room I hadn't seen on our last visit. Then again, with a home this size, I hadn't seen most of it. A quartet of Inspiration priests were playing stringed instruments, and at least a dozen couples swirled around the room. More stood around the walls, talking in small groups. Yamina gave me a total of three seconds to take it all in, and then she pulled me into a gap between dancers.
My hand found her waist in a polite position. Hers clasped mine by our shoulders. When she stepped off, taking the lead, I didn't try to fight it. Instead, I found myself smiling as this young woman so easily took command.
"If you keep this up, you'll start rumors," I warned her. "I think you've danced with me more than anyone in your peerage."
"Mhm," she agreed. "And while you look like a guardian, it's hard to tell when you're dressed like this. You also aren't hovering over some beautiful woman, which means they'll assume you wear the lace of Body."
"I do," I reminded her.
Yamina laughed. "Right. Forgot about that. But the real reason I stole you away so fast is because I'm guessing you need the update. Mom invited seventeen men to woo me tonight." She turned so she was now moving backwards. "See the man in the grey shirt over by the window? He's the one who bet my brother he could get me in a compromising position before the night's out."
"And we both know that won't happen," I agreed. "I'll spread the word so you won't be alone."
"You are the best brother-in-law ever," she groaned, turning again so she could lead easier. "And Maela is getting the cold shoulder from most of the other baronesses. A few merchants are trying to move in, thinking this is a great time to befriend her."
"And Tath?" I asked.
She shook her head. "He had a rant last night about spending all of his money on an ungrateful little shit - me, if you couldn't figure that out - who does nothing for this family. Maela managed to tell him she's pregnant, but he shoved at her, calling it lies. Thiemo got involved, Tath puked down the stairs, and Jelica has refused to allow the staff to give him any more alcohol of any kind. Mom is livid about that, saying Tath is the baron, so this is his home. Yeah, and the whole family has been at each other's throats since."
"How's Maela holding up?" I asked.
"She's been waiting for her friends," Yamina admitted. "The five of you are the only ones she really has. Well, Amerlee, Shalsa, Jamik, and Irila too, but they're not as close. She likes Nari. Says Nari makes her feel a little more confident. Zeal, however, has stopped in twice. You're not going to believe who can see him!"
"Thiemo," I guessed.
Yamina huffed at me. "Spoiling all my fun, but yes."
The song began to wind down, so we stopped to offer polite applause. Just as I was about to offer her my arm so we could continue our talk, the man in grey made his way over. Without asking, he caught Yamina's fingers, then gently tugged the girl toward him.
Yamina stiffened, and I thrust my hand into the man's chest, forcing him back. "A gentleman asks first," I warned him.
"You promised me the next dance," the twit reminded Yamina.
She just ducked her head. "I did, Wraythe."
"Mhm," I grumbled, "and he can still ask." Then, on impulse, I bent to sweetly kiss her cheek, reaching up to angle her face to mine. "And I will not take my eyes off of you. You look beautiful today, Lady Ranndor."
She smiled up at me, her eyes widened like she was honestly flattered by that. The act was good, but we both knew better. I also didn't care. If that idiot thought she was smitten with me, then I would make sure I figured out how to act like a Priest of the Body, and fast.
But I couldn't save her from this. I could only delay the inevitable. Marriage was supposed to be a woman's lot in life. It was expected, and most of society couldn't imagine any other outcome. The best I could do was make sure that my newest little sister was safe today. That man's threat was a real one. In Yamina's world, being caught doing something as innocent as kissing a man could be used as an excuse for a rushed wedding. The gods forbid that she actually do anything more!
Moving to stand beside the window, that kitchen girl found me. "Priest Wraythe?" she asked, holding up a platter with drinks. "It seems you lost yours."
"Thank you," I told her.
Then the girl squeaked and spun, hurrying back the other way. I looked to see what had scared her off and found Pia Ranndor, the matron of the house, storming over towards me. Confused, I glanced back over my shoulder, trying to find who was responsible for that look on her face, but when she stopped before me, I figured it out. She was pissed at me.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"Celebrating your daughter's ascension into adulthood," I replied.
But Pia just leaned in and dropped her voice to a rabid hiss. "We let you into our home and you have ruined my son's life. He's so overcome with shame that he won't even show his face, and our family has become the laughingstock of the city!"
"No," I said, stopping her there. "Your precious son not only demanded our presence, but he convinced the High Priest to give him privileges that our education says we're not ready for." This time, I leaned in, holding her gaze so she could see just how serious I was. "He wanted to break Talin. He thought Nari would do it. He just forgot that the snake has five heads and our god is the one who grants temptations. Do not blame me for his weakness."
