Page 37 of Mistress of Hours

She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to whisper, but she did. “They said I have symptoms of blood loss. Isn’t that bizarre? I have no injuries to speak of.”

He looked down at her as they walked, clearly sharing her confusion. “That was all they said? Blood loss? That is very strange indeed.”

“They said to rest and drink water and take an iron supplement—but honestly, blood loss? I can’t even remember the last time that I bled outside of my monthly cycle.”

An unsettled feeling took root in Léhiona’s mind that she couldn’t quite shake for the rest of the day.

That evening, she sat with a book, waiting for Aldith to come to bed. They hadn’t had much time together since the start of the festivities, and Léhiona wanted to talk with her wife about her strange visit to the healer.

The clock had just struck two in the morning when Aldith finally appeared.

“How was the party, my love?” Léhiona asked, setting aside her book and rising from the bed to cross to where Aldith stood removing her jewelry.

“It was alright, dear. How are you this evening? I am sorry you did not feel well enough to stay for longer.”

“Sylvain finally convinced me to go to the healer today,” Léhiona said, watching her wife in the mirror atop the small dressing table, where Aldith now sat.

Léhiona noticed Aldith’s shoulders tense ever so slightly at her words. “Well, what did they have to say?” Aldith asked, her tone light, but somehow more intense than usual.

“They said I have symptoms of blood loss, of all things! I told Sylvain, I can’t even remember the last time that I bled!” Léhiona said with a laugh. “I know you employ the best in Ichorna, but I must say I have my doubts.”

Aldith’s shoulders relaxed, and she turned to face Léhiona. “That does seem rather far-fetched. I’ll begin a search for a new healer.”

“Oh no, you don’t need to do that! I don’t mean to cost anyonetheir job. I am certain I’m just overtired and the healer was trying to humor me with a more serious diagnosis.”

“Inaccuracy, whether pandering or otherwise, is not something I will tolerate from those in my service. I will find us a new healer. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, my love,” Aldith’s tone brooked no objection. Léhiona knew not to argue; Aldith always said her input was valuable, but in reality, Aldith had the final say on everything in their lives.

“I am glad there is nothing really ailing you,” Aldith said as she slipped a nightgown over her head. “Now, come to bed?”

Léhiona quieted her thoughts and followed her wife to bed.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The following morning,all of the foreign dignitaries gathered at the station closest to the palace complex. Lucinne had become a hub for travelers since the invention of the Rail Dellumine, but the diversity of this crowd was striking for even Evienne, who had spent many years in the city.

From where she sat aboard the train, she could see a large group of Aphanians, the water-dwellers from the Vaporiad Sea to the south. A cluster of Wellsah stood near them, staring up at the bronze Rail cars in wonder.

Even Daosbor, the realm of necromancers, had sent a delegation. The necromancers stood off to the side looking on, their pale faces expressionless as they took in the scene.Evienne did a double-take as she noticed a tall, striking person she could only describe as…leafy standing with the necromancers. A woman with bright red hair and a radiant smile clung to their arm and looked up at them adoringly. Was that a Dryad? Evienne did not know any of the non-human creatures of Domhan na Rùin had been invited to the festivities, but she supposed stranger things had happened.

Evienne was pulled from her people-watching by a sudden tug of awareness, and she turned just as Orion and Solon took their seats facing hers. A small table sat between them, bolted to the floor.

Before she could open her mouth to greet the two men, Cecelia’s laughing voice cut in as she slipped into the seat next to Evienne. “I decided to take the day off, so I get to come too!” she said excitedly.

Evienne couldn’t help but smile at her friend. “Oh how wonderful! I’m so glad we’ll have your company for the day.”

Cecelia settled into her seat looking very pleased with herself. Evienne caught Orion trying not to laugh in the seat across from her and softly kicked him under the table.

Shortly after everyone had boarded their Rail cars, the Rail Dellumine launched into motion, gliding silently over the bronze tracks through Lucinne and out into the rolling fields of Ichora’s countryside.

Today’s journey would take around three hours each way, with a stop at midday in the harbor town of Brunoy on Ichorna’s eastern coast. The bustling port town sat on the shores of the Dalmar Sea.

The journey to Brunoy passed quickly. Evienne let herself forget about the lingering apprehension and stress she felt about their investigation in favor of enjoying her time with her friends. That’s what Orion and Solon were to her now: friends. And perhaps, with Orion, something more.

When the Rail Dellumine arrived at the Brunoy station, the horde of dignitaries and nobles disembarked and were set loose upon the small town. The cold ocean air bit at Evienne’s face the moment she stepped out into the white light of the afternoon.

Evienne enjoyed the sea on the rare occasions she had reason to see it. The sound of crashing surf echoed through the streets of the quaint seaside town.

Orion offered her an arm, and she accepted it, glancing up into his handsome face to give him a small smile. He smiled back at her, and somewhere in her heart, she knew she wanted to stay with him forever.

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