Page 57 of Vows of Sacrifice

“I beg your pardon?”

I shook my head.

“Every time I approach you, you hold your breath. You’ll end up fainting if you keep holding it in.”

I paused to study her astonished expression. She didn’t even realize she was doing it.

“I promise I don’t bite.” My smile deepened before I added, “Unless requested. Your request. And gently.”

She blushed briefly. Oh? Did she just imagine me nibbling her? If so, I was curious to know where on her body.

“I would never ask such a thing of you!”

I gave a disappointed pout.

“Oh, really?”

Ashana blushed even more. A reaction she tried to hide by looking away. A long silence fell between us, during which I adjusted the belt to her waist. Of course, I left my hands there longer than necessary.

“Where’s the dagger?” I asked, stepping back slightly.

“Hold on, I’ll go get it.”

With that, I watched her walk away to a sideboard not far from the bed.

“Everything going well with your new chambermaids?”

“Luanda and Marione?”

“Luanda and Marione,” I repeated, realizing I didn’t know their first names.

Ashana smiles mischievously at me.

“You didn’t even know what they were called before you assigned them to my service? Tss.”

I didn’t flinch under her gaze. How could I tell her that I didn’t care what their names were? That it was only for two reasons that they were now in her service? The first was that I felt vaguely guilty for putting their lives in danger, and the second was that I didn’t want Ashana to feel lonely when I wasn’t with her. In truth, the rest was the least of my worries.

“Luanda is the bigger one,” my wife specified, still smiling.

“I will remember,” I replied simply.

Ashana handed me the dagger and I gently placed it in the sheath.

“If your life is at stake, do not hesitate to use it.”

I could imagine the grim expression that crossed my face as I said those words. I could almost see it reflected in my wife’s eyes. Ashana didn’t answer right away, but when she did, it was also with great seriousness:

“I know,” she said only.

I nodded in agreement. It was good to be aware of it, but it was better to be prepared for it. Muvaria was a peaceful kingdom that had no darkness even in its darkest corners. Here, there were thieves, assassins, the monsters of the Abyss, but also the worst scourge of all: poverty. She could very well be kidnapped by desperate people in the hope of exchanging her for ransom. No possibility could be ruled out.

A few minutes later, we were on our horses, and I could easily sense that Vulcan was happy to see something other than the stable. Cyrian and Olba followed us at a reasonable distance. It was a pleasant ride and we enjoyed chatting. The habits and customs of the Osacanians seemed to interest her, so I made a point of satisfying her curiosity on this point, as well as on the workings of the messengers of the heavens, the great noble eagles.

The Osacan markets were constantly crowded. From dawn to dusk, merchants and customers pressed up against each other, haggling over every item as if their lives depended on it. It was a unique atmosphere, quite exhilarating if you liked crowds. A place with its own unspoken rules, such as never acquiring a good at the first price offered.

It was with undisguised pleasure that I watched Ashana discover a little of the culture of this beautiful country that I myself had grown to love over the years.

We had entrusted the horses to the stable of the blacksmith Carendor, in order to better enjoy the walk. As usual, Olba and Cyrian stood slightly behind, also benefiting, in a certain way, from our stroll.

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