Page 136 of Ironling
And quickly. His time was short, and there was much to do.
32
The morning of the Choosing, Aislinn woke well before dawn. She’d hardly slept at all, her big bed feeling entirely too large and lonely. The weight of the world rested just outside her bed curtains, and she hid from them under the covers for as long as she could.
Fia and Sorcha came to prepare her, her maid bearing a tray of light breakfast and both of them a solemn expression.
They spoke little, for what was there to say?
Aislinn did ask after two things as Fia curled her hair around a cloth headdress and pearl hair pins.
“Captain Aodhan is in place?”
“Everything is ready,” Fia assured her. She rubbed Aislinn’s arm in solace when she caught her troubled expression in the mirror.
“And…Hakon?”
Fia’s attempt at a smile fell. She shook her head. “No one has seen him. I’m sorry, my lady.”
Aislinn’s gaze skittered away to the window, wondering where he could be. She’d thought yesterday in the study…
I choose you, Aislinn. Today, tomorrow, for always.
His words had seared into her soul, giving her suchhope.
Only, he was gone. Nowhere to be found when she’d asked for him later that same evening, hoping to find out what he’d meant by his words.
Sorcha said Orek had gone with him, wherever it was he went, a fact Aislinn clung to. Hakon couldn’t truly be gone if Orek went with him, surely. He couldn’t be leaving her for good.
Tears pricked her eyes, and Aislinn hurried to wipe them away.
Sorcha took her hand. “It’s going to be all right. He’ll be found. Just focus on today.”
She nodded. Survive today for the real test.
By midmorning, Aislinn looked a proper noblewoman. Fia stepped back to let her observe herself dispassionately in the mirror. The silk brocade and pearl-studded headdress and gold chain of office on her shoulders felt more like a costume than herself.
Sorcha came up behind her in the mirror. “You look so beautiful.”
“I don’t feel beautiful,” Aislinn admitted.
Sorcha wrapped her arms around her, careful of the chain of office. “I know. But you look every bit the heiress you are. Like you aren’t to be trifled with.”
That did spark a small grin. “Oh?”
Sorcha nodded. “Standing up there on the dais, you’ll be a sight to see. I hope Bayard quakes in his expensive boots.”
Aislinn kissed her friend’s cheek. “Thank you for being with me.”
“We’re beside you, every step,” Sorcha assured her.
“Everything is ready,” Fia added. “He won’t be a worry to you anymore.”
That was certainly something to look forward to. Layingher plans with Captain Aodhan yesterday had offered some distraction from her worries. Aislinn was determined not to give Bayard his way, but the consequences of that had to be planned for.
She would reject him and expose his treachery to the dozen or so nobles who’d arrived in time to witness the Choosing. Detaining him and his guards in the great hall would be key, as they had to be secured before anyone could inform Bayard’s company. The next few hours had to go perfectly, without surprises.
If they did, Aislinn would be rid of the threat of Bayard. Survive today to fight tomorrow.
