Page 58 of Vows of Sacrifice

“Do you like anything?” I asked, while my wife looked at some ivory hair combs.

I instinctively stood behind her, my eyes also glued to the display of accessories.

Ashana turned sharply—so sharply, in fact, that she nearly bumped her nose against my chest. She drew back imperceptibly before adjusting her gaze to mine.

“My sisters love this kind of thing. Perhaps I could send them some. Do you think the big eagles are capable of carrying a few gifts in addition to the missive?”

“It’s within their capabilities, yes. They can carry a man.”

His eyes widened.

“What?” gasped Ashana, visibly shocked.

“A man of medium stature. You see, on battlefields, sometimes officers die, and their bodies have to be repatriated. Large eagles are very useful for this task, so I imagine a few combs shouldn’t be a problem for them.”

I then addressed the salesman in Osacanian:

“Serve my wife properly. There are ten moras in this purse. That’s more than enough.”

The man with the round, red cheeks and a blue shirt too small for his protruding belly tugged twice on his fine moustache, his eyes shining with lust. Ten moras, the Osacan currency, was a generous price for a few combs. I was well aware of this, only I preferred Ashana to learn the art of haggling later with her chambermaids. It was something that could last a long time—and I had no desire to waste this precious time with my wife over an endless discussion with a complete stranger.

Ashana chose three for her mother and sisters: one purple, one midnight blue, and one pale pink.

“What about you?”

She gasped, then raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“Me?”

I nodded and pointed to the stall.

“You didn’t take anything.”

She turned her head to follow the direction indicated by my finger, before murmuring a troubled little “ah.”

“I forgot.”

It unsettled me. How could anyone "forget” themselves? I’d followed Nadrisse shopping in the past, and if there was one thing I was now sure of, it was that she never forgot herself in her purchases. Quite the opposite, in fact. I looked down at the display and my attention was immediately drawn to a large jade comb. I grabbed it and placed it awkwardly in her hair.

“We’ll take this one too,” I announced to the seller, without taking my eyes off Ashana.

She touched the comb with her fingertips, strangely moved. I smiled at her.

“Your reaction might lead me to believe that this is the first time a man has given you a gift,” I joked.

She blushed briefly.

“This is the case.”

I was speechless with amazement. However, in a way, this news made me happy. Yes. The thought of being first for her in so many ways made me happy. I leaned in slightly until my lips brushed her earlobe.

“Well, get ready to make a habit of it, because it won’t be the last.”

I felt her shudder and a sudden surge of desire twisted my lower abdomen. It was as devastating as it was painful. This woman was driving me crazy. I had a sudden urge to hold her and kiss her breath away. A dull, animalistic growl escaped from my chest, making her look up in my direction. How could I resist? Was it even possible?

“Lord Dovah!” a male voice cried out.

I turned towards the voice. It was Cyrian trying to reach us from across the aisle.

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