Page 72 of Vows of Sacrifice

“It can wait. I’ll have to think about it.”

I narrowed my eyes and studied her through my lashes.

“I have the feeling that this is all thought through, and I expect the worst.”

She took one step back; I moved two steps forward.

“Ashana . . .” I whispered. “Tell me everything. I’m listening.”

“Ah,” she exhaled, growing increasingly nervous. “Well, I thought, since we’ve had a ceremony according to your rite with your brother, and tomorrow we have that of the Dark Gods . . .”

Yes, I’d forgotten that Elendur had chosen Jessop, the head of the temples, to officiate our wedding after his plan had fallen through.

“ . . . we could, when we visit my home, marry according to the religion of the One God and in the presence of my family.”

I felt my blood boil with anger.

“Will we have to wait for this third ceremony to consummate our union?”

My speech was measured, but I could see that flames of rage were now flickering in my eyes. As Ashana avoided meeting my gaze at all costs, she failed to notice.

“N . . . No, of course not.”

I relaxed instantly, in a better mood.

“I’m not against our, uh . . . wedding night,” she continued.

She’s not what?!

“You’re not against it?” I repeated.

I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or groan in despair.

“I’m delighted to hear that,” I added, a touch sarcastically.

But how could I blame her for reacting this way? She had no idea what to expect, even though I knew for both of us.

The servants, sent by Massim to prepare my bath, arrived at just the right time. I needed to think about something else and Ashana was already slipping under the sheets.

“You don’t want to enjoy the bath?”

For once, I had no ulterior motive in proposing it. She shook her head in refusal.

“I’ve already washed myself with the basin on my vanity. I’d prefer to take my bath tomorrow morning, before putting on my wedding dress.”

I watched her for a moment, undecided. Should I respect her desire for privacy and change behind that damned screen?

“Put the tub over there,” I grumbled.

The servants exchanged glances, not quite sure they understood my order. I glared at them.

“Put the damned tub behind the damned screen before you fill it! Or you can move it after you’ve filled it, just for the fun of moving a tub the weight of a dead horse! What’s it to be? Which option do you prefer?”

The four servants quickly complied. As for Ashana, her smile was so big it almost split her face in two. I didn’t know whether I was happy to please her or displeased to give in to her obsession with privacy.

* * *

By the time I’d finished washing up, my wife was fast asleep. From the end of our bed, I gazed at her, fascinated. She was in a position of total abandon and her nightdress, the one she was so keen to wear every night, was pulled up over her thighs, revealing milky skin that I was dying to caress. Curiously, I found this more erotic than a racy outfit.

---