Page 81 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

DREDGING FOR FRIENDS LOST

The next morning, I lay under my carved canopy and studied the relief engraved there--a woman in a garden, scantily clad, oblivious to the man watching her from behind a tree. It made me wonder where Tearloch was hiding, and I went to find him, slipping into a robe before pulling the velvet curtain aside. I was beginning to understand what Griffon had meant when he said he and Lennon hadn't needed eternity to find perfection. As it happened, perfection was not as elusive as I'd expected.

The question was—what came after perfection?

I supposed the answer included time to enjoy it. And to find that time, I needed a conversation with Moire.

When I stepped out of the bedchamber and didn’t immediately see Tearloch, my heart jumped and ran in my chest like it was being chased. The lack of control I had over it upset me, and I had to sit down and inhale deeply to calm myself.

Nothing is wrong. No one took him. We’re safe now. Ciro is dead. Ciro is dead.

My attention caught on a small, tented paper on the table. It was a note from Tearloch.Gone to speak with Griffon. Will return soon.

My relief was instant. At least Moire hadn’t come and snatched him from our bed.

The morning meal came while he was out, along with three arms’ full of clothing that had been chosen on my behalf. My appetite surprised me, but then I remembered the meals I’d missed and prayed I’d live long enough to make up for them.

Someone in the palace was paying attention, and a second tray for Tearloch arrived soon after the first. I ate my fill, and when he still hadn’t returned, I went hunting for something to wear. I was relieved I wouldn’t have to wear that gown of dragon-purple again, or the small crown that made me someone I was not. Besides, I’d lost the latter in the dirt when Skullcrusher had tried to shake me loose.

No apprentice robes were among my choices. I supposed it was time I left that part of my life behind me.

I let my robe fall from my shoulders and jumped when I realized I was no longer alone. Tearloch stood just inside the curtain with his shoulder leaned against the wall. He wore a rich green shirt that suited his dark coloring and brought out his eyes. Over that, a black textured vest hung to his knees where a pair of buff-colored trousers were tucked into dark leather boots.

His eyes were lit with mischief, as was his smile. “If you plan to petition Moire for an audience, I suggest you avoid the trousers.” He was right. There was a set of trousers there, along with a pair of straps to hold them up and a tightly woven shirt. “Women don’t usually wear them, but someone must have thought you would want options.”

“Maybe it was my short hair that swayed them.”

“Nothing wrong with your hair. Nothing wrong with you at all. You choose anything you like and let Hestia adjust to you…my heart.”

“My heart?”

“Don’t mind me. I’m trying to decide what I should call you. My phoenix?”

“How about Asper?”

While I held a rich yellow gown against me and studied it in the mirror, he came away from the wall and crept up behind me. His lips brushed my shoulder, and I shivered. “What about in the whispering hours, love? What shall I call you then?Cherub?”

I laughed. “Never that.”

“What if I just call youmine?”

My insecurities slipped out of my mouth. “Am I yours? Do you really mean to stay with me?” I threw up my hands. “I don’t know how to do this…bonding business. Very little is written?—”

He spun me around and interrupted my lips with a kiss. I sensed he’d meant it to be brief, but it didn’t work out that way. And we were still kissing when someone knocked on the outer door.

Tearloch helped me back into my robe and suggested I answer it, since it was my room. I took my time, hoping my blushing face might return to its normal temperature before I reached the door.

As soon as I lifted the latch, the pale wood was pushed open and all our friends paraded in. Minkin and Bain carried tall bottles. Sweetie balanced a large tray covered in bowls with one hand while eating with the other. It still shocked me to see him without his horns. Lennon followed with more bottles, and Griffon brought a tray of tall goblets of colored glass.

"I hope you don't mind," Minkin said. "We thought we should hold some ritual for Morrow, Dower and Kivi."

I nodded. "And Huxor."

"And Huxor." She smiled approvingly and set her bottles on a low table centered between half a dozen stuffed chairs. "Nowhere seemed appropriate, so..."

"Private rooms for a private ceremony. Very fitting."

When Tearloch emerged from the bedchamber, they all pretended not to be surprised.

---