A Hint of Frost: Araneae Nation ( Book One) (24 page)

“She is our sister—” Henri began.

“She also treads close to treason,” Celso warned, and Darcel nodded along with him.

Armand shared a glance with me, one that asked me to trust his judgment since he’d read the proof I had yet to see. Whatever was written must be open to interpretation or this trial would have been dismissed. It hadn’t been. That told me more than he was allowed to. This was not the outcome I wanted, but Jean was an elder for a reason. Our clan was hurting, struggling to adjust, and Jean could sow seeds of dissent easily while I was new to my post and might be challenged.

While I doubted my clan would turn on me, I didn’t doubt they could be turned on Rhys easily enough. Especially if they were to learn I had been attacked by one of his guards so fresh into our union. The danger was too great, and I refused to risk it. Our clan’s stability must come first.

“I agree with you, Elder Jean.” I read his shock before he thought to cover it. “I do ask for one small concession, and I think it can be granted easily enough considering recent events.”

Armand finished my thought. “If we may pick the clan, so that we may be assured of Pascale’s safety, then I agree.”

He braced on Henri’s shoulder, who muttered a reluctant, “If those terms are met, I agree as well.”

“Good.” Celso stood. “We’re all in agreement.” Darcel stood next. “Have your list prepared, and we will reconvene after your thread binding.” He smiled fondly. “This is a special time in your life. You should enjoy it. In the meantime, Pascale will be confined to her quarters.”

“Thank you all.” I would save talk of the yellow death, and my other concerns, until then. As if reading my mind, Elder Celso placed Bram’s evidence in my hand, and he patted my cheek.

Turning to Pascale, I noticed Tristan muttering beneath his breath. She thanked the disgruntled male and gave him leave to remove his name as her advocate from the proceedings so the council’s verdict wouldn’t reflect upon skills she had forbidden him to exercise. The ploy was a bold move on her part, but it lent her an air of desire for absolution of her actions that having another argue on her behalf would have cost her.

My jaw ached from grinding my teeth. Was this how it was to be the rest of our lives? Me wondering if we’d spared an innocent life or if I’d captured a viper and freed her in our nest?

A door opened behind me, stirring a breeze that brought a familiar anise scent to my nose. Turning, I found Rhys and Vaughn crossing the threshold into the council chambers. My partisan leaned heavily on his brother to remain upright, but he was there. He was always there if I needed him. Even when the cost to him was high, he came for me.

I resisted the lure of his strong arms and warm body long enough to cross to Pascale. “Do you know the contents of this letter?”

“Kellen said it was nothing of importance.” She glanced between it and me, uncertain. “He kept the details to himself.”

“Do you wish to know what was written that spared you?” Her eager nod could have been mine, and my resistance crumpled.

Unfolding the parchment, I recognized the Theridiidae maven’s handwriting with ease. It was the same neat script she had used to conduct business with our clan. Reading out loud, I let my lips move over the words to taste their truth. “
My dearest son, you’ve long been gone from Siciia, and things here are not as they once were. I must ask you to trust Bram. He acts with our best interests at heart.
” Frowning, I continued. “
I am proud of the service you have done your clan. Ennis and Reine will be mourned. Their loss was unfortunate, but necessary.
” Paper tore in my hand. The final words blurred as I blinked rapidly. “
Bring Pascale.
Waste no time. We have none to spare.
”

Refolding the paper, I was relieved to hold proof of the Theridiidae maven’s treachery in hand. Her own words would have damned her son had his actions not already done so. While my sister was mentioned, it was in a peripheral way. I assumed the council believed that to mean she was of little importance to this plot, and not that motherly pride prevented Pascale’s equal praises.

Yet again, my mind had spun in an uncomfortable circle, but what was done was done.

“Thank you,” she said at length, “for coming for me and for…everything.”

My heart was so brittle, I worried it may crack, that love of her might yet break me, but I enfolded her in my arms. “I love you.” I had no other words. Not yet. Not while I was so raw.

“I know.” She hugged me back. “Rhys looks like a stiff breeze would topple him.”

She was right, and showcasing his weakness to those present made both males appear wary. I noticed both had their swords in their hilts, though fighting would have been difficult.

“Go on.” She shoved me toward him. “Tell him I’m sorry for what I said.” She offered him a timid smile he didn’t return. “I owe you an apology as well. If I hadn’t been so afraid, I might have…” Her thoughts trailed off. “I’m happy for you, happy that he makes you happy.”

“I couldn’t have picked a better match.” I meant every word.

After another nudge toward Rhys, I left Pascale to speak with our brothers. I hadn’t been sure, but now I thought they hadn’t been allowed to speak with her since our arrival. I left them with her to say what needed to be said in order for their minds to be eased. I wished them peace.

Crossing the room, I stopped just shy of Rhys. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“I woke up and our bed was empty.” He scowled. “I didn’t like it.”

“I did leave you with your brother for company.” Both males fell into an awkward silence, and I wondered what had been said behind closed doors. Good things, I hoped. “I didn’t want to leave you.” I glanced over my shoulder, where Armand and Henri each had embraced Pascale. “I needed this matter done. It was cruel for her to wonder, for any of them to wonder the outcome.”

“I believe this ruling is a fair one.” His unrepentant expression made me think he had listened for longer than I’d realized. “No matter how this all ended, I wanted to be here for you.”

Hadn’t I entertained the exact thought moments earlier? “You always are.”

His expression softened. “I will endeavor to remain so.”

“You should have stayed in bed,” Vaughn said. “By the sound of it, you two need one.”

Heat crept up my neck. Rhys traced the hot curve of my throat, and I shivered. He grinned for the entire trip back to our room, where he welcomed me to bed and promptly fell back to sleep.

Chapter Twelve

Ribbons, I decided, should be stricken from a female’s ceremonial attire. I was to be wed, but I had more bands of gold and glimmering threads in my hair now than I’d ever had as a child. Picking at one such spiral-tipped adornment, I was lost in thought when my steward approached.

“Maven.” She wrung her hands. “Your partisan wishes to have a word with you.”

I knocked over my chair when I stood, covering my gown. I wasn’t superstitious, exactly, but I knew future husbands weren’t meant to see their future wives on their wedding day. I had wondered how long Rhys would stay away. I’d been locked in here for hours, and after what he’d been through…we hadn’t been apart for more than the length of Pascale’s trial since returning home. Though he’d come for me that day, the gesture had cost him. He’d mostly slept since then.

I worried my lip. “He can’t see me.” I turned to her for confirmation. “It’s tradition.”

“Aye, Maven, it is.” She glanced toward the door, and I sensed Rhys stood beyond it.

Turning him away was as impossible as denying my next breath. “Ah, well.” I smoothed my gown. After touching my hair, I let my arm fall. I don’t preen. “Traditions are made to be broken.”

When I opened the door, Rhys, I assumed, held it firm. “No. I don’t want to see you.”

“Is that so?” I laughed. “I’ll try not to take the sentiment too personally.”

His chuckle warmed me as his arm crooked around the door and his hand opened, calling my fingers to his as they had that first time. “I meant to do this yesterday, but my nerves bested me.”

My smile faded as he played absently with my fingers. “Let me guess. You’re having second thoughts and were too afraid to break the news to me? Or is it Isolde you’re scared of?” Bracing my forehead against the door, I heard his indulgent sigh huff through the crack. It was music to my ears. “I’m sorry. What is it you meant to do?”

“This.” He slid something warm and smooth down my left hand’s ring finger.

My knees locked when I glimpsed the simple gold band and modest tear-shaped ruby. It fit me as no other ring would have, and he must have paid a dear price for it. Unable to sift his name from my jumbled thoughts, and unsure if some question was implied, I was rendered mute.

“Lourdes, I won your hand by the terms you set.” His fingers bit into my skin. “I fulfilled our bargain and by your word, you are mine.” His voice deepened, resonating through my ear to my heart. “I want more from you than your honor. I want to be more to you than your duty.”

It was then I understood what the ring represented—the choice we hadn’t been given.

A choice he wanted me to make.

He drew my hand to his side of the door and kissed my ring finger. “I have thanked the two gods for their grace since the moment the Theridiidae chased you into my arms, when your skin held a hint of frost and your courage thawed some frozen thing in my chest for which I had no name. Your love is worth a price above rubies. I want to own your heart as you own mine.” I heard his resolve. “I will wait for it. Our wedding is preordained. Our thread binding is not.”

Grateful for the heavy wood panel that kept him from seeing the mess my tears had made of me, I pulled his arm to me and placed his palm over my heart. “You have accomplished every task I’ve set before you. You made my clan safe, my family whole. You gave me time to grieve, a chance to know you. You’ve shown me only kindness and patience.” I brought his hand to my mouth and kissed his scarred knuckles and swore his arm flushed red. “How could I not love you?”

He required some help before he cupped my cheek. His thumb was a hard rasp against my softer skin. “I’m too selfish to ask again.” His voice rang with possession. “You are
mine
.”

“Yes,” I promised him. “I am.”

Rhys’s grip tensed, and he jostled me as a familiar grunt perked my ears.

“Excuse me, I—” Armand paused. “What are you doing here?”

“Attending a private matter.” Rhys withdrew. “It’s none of your concern.”

“Agreed. Whatever private thing you two attended through the crack of a door doesn’t concern me beyond fodder for my nightmares.” He sounded disturbed. “I’m sorry to interrupt.” His tone was evidence to the contrary. “The cleric sent me to fetch Lourdes. He is ready if you two are.”

“I need a moment.” My steward had to repair the damage I’d done to my face and hair.

“Lourdes?” Rhys weighted my name with his uncertainty.

I regretted his insecurity, but he would learn in time he’d never rid himself of me. Thread bindings are a permanent union after all. “A certain male has made me ruin my face with tears.”

“Sister?” Armand claimed me under his protection with that single word.

“I am well.” I wiped my face and made a worse mess. “These were happy tears.”

“Good.” I could tell he spoke to Rhys when he said, “I’ll wait here in case you need me.”

Rhys’s voice rose. “I’ll leave you to Armand’s care. After all, this is the last time another male can lay claim to you and I let walk away under his own power.” He paused. “Family or not.”

Shaking my head, I rapped on the door. “Rhys, go to the sanctuary and tell the cleric I’m on my way. Armand, try not to give him reason to kill you before you walk me down the aisle.”

“Let him growl all he wants.” Armand dismissed the noise. “You were mine to protect first.”

“She is mine to protect from this day forth.” Rhys’s voice was a low rumble. “No harm will come to her while she’s under my care.” Perhaps in apology, he said, “I do love her.”

“I wasn’t certain before.” Hesitance colored Armand’s voice. “Now—I believe you do.”

After Rhys’s footsteps receded, I returned to my steward with an apology of my own.

“You’ve ruined your face.” She scrubbed my cheeks with an icy rag. “Your poor ribbons.” She clucked her tongue. “All’s well, I have more and better where those came from.”

A pox on tradition
. I groaned.
I should have escaped with Rhys when I had the chance.

Silk whispered beneath the soles of my bare feet. Each step down the aisle carried me closer to the podium, and the cleric and the destiny I had once thought to avoid. I was once the eldest daughter of the Araneidae clan heads. I was a young maven. My reign had begun in blood.

Unlike my first tremulous bond with Rhys, I came into this union with my heart open.

“You’re sure this is what you want?” Armand patted my hand where it rested on his arm.

He guided me several steps at a pace slower than mine. I tugged, but he was resistant. At least I had the tapestries to distract myself. They hung in heavy silken panels, and though the core was saffron-gold, the fabric was threaded with all the colors of a rainbow. Each color represented the melting pot of clans that had wedded into ours since the recording of Araneidae history, and I had known since I was a child where my thread would join my paladin’s, Rhys’s, after our vows.

I sensed Armand still waiting for his answer, and made him wait as he was forcing me to wait. “Our wedding is a matter of honor.” I reminded him. “Rhys fulfilled my terms, and I am his reward.” I smiled in remembrance of those negotiations. “Our thread binding is a choice he gave me. Isolde didn’t require it of us. He offered his life for mine, and I accepted without hesitation.”

He worried the ring Rhys had given me. “You understand I had to ask.”

“I know.” I leaned into him. “It’s what makes you such a good brother.”

Keeping pace with Armand, I made my way toward the podium where Rhys awaited me. He wore a bloused shirt made of emerald-colored silk and an ivory kilt. His knees, I grinned to see, were bare and cocked as if to draw my eye. Rhys’s memory was a steel trap with sharp teeth.