Page 181 of A Vow of Embers

Suri put silver bracelets on me that looked like short bracers. I did feel a bit like I was preparing for combat.

“One last thing,” Io said, holding out a wooden box to me.

I took it from her and opened it. “What’s this?”

“I told my brother that you would need new jewelry tonight. Something people haven’t seen before.”

When I opened it, it was the same bright silver as the other pieces I had on. I lifted it out and realized that it was a sun pendant on a delicate chain.

Why would he ... Then I remembered the sarcastic question he had asked me when I’d made my list of demands in order to go through with this marriage.

Would you also like me to fetch the sun and put it on a chain so that you can wear it around your neck?

My heart began to beat a bit faster as I wondered if there was some kind of meaning.

I reminded myself that he had only given it to me because his sister had insisted. I wouldn’t get my hopes up.

Io took the necklace from me and put it on. The pendant hung right between my breasts.

“Turn around,” she said.

I turned back toward the mirror, and for a moment I didn’t recognize myself. My lips were stained a faint red, my cheeks pink, and there was kohl on my eyelids. With the armor-like jewelry she had given me ... Io had turned me into a dark warrior.

The woman in the mirror was not someone to trifle with.

“Done. Time for Xander’s birthday party!” she declared, obviously proud of her work.

“Birthday?” I repeated as I got my xiphos and strapped it on. “You never told me this was for his birthday.”

“Didn’t I?” she repeated in that high-pitched voice that told me she was lying. She hurried out of the room and the rest of us followed. His birthday? Wasn’t I meant to give him a gift?

When we entered the dining hall, my eyes were immediately drawn to my husband. He was the tallest, most handsome man in the room.

And Io had made us a matched set. His black tunic had been created from a very expensive fabric, and as we came closer, I saw that small green vine leaves, the symbol of the goddess, had been sewn onto the edges, just like mine.

He looked dark and delicious.

Io had situated us so that I led, walking in front. I felt all the phratry’s eyes on me.

When I stopped in front of them, Thrax immediately turned to Xander and said, “You poor bastard.”

Chapter Fifty-Nine

We all stood there in awkward silence until Io stepped forward. “Doesn’t Lia look beautiful?”

Xander looked me up and down and said gruffly, “She looks fine.”

And I felt a sharp pang of disappointment.

“She looks better than fine,” Io said with a huff. “I thought you were supposed to be the smart one in the family.”

Thrax laughed and I saw the other three men trying to disguise their own smiles.

I felt highly insecure as Xander’s eyes kept darting toward my chest and it made me feel like I was exposing myself to his entire court. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to this kind of dress.

Out of embarrassment I put my hand up to the necklace he had given me. He was being rude, but I could do better and remember my own upbringing. “Thank you. I feel bad that you sent me a gift and I have nothing to give you in return for your birthday.”

“Oh, I think you’ve given him the best gift,” Thrax said with a laugh. Dolion elbowed him to be quiet.

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