Page 24 of Sweetling
They passed through corridors with wallpaper faded from the sun and the ghostly squares of where paintings once hung. Many of the original sconces had gone missing, so he made do with lanterns. He’d cleared most of the rooms of the moldering furniture and tattered curtains, so it was empty rooms that greeted them.
Ready for her to fill.
She followed him in silence, her big eyes skittering over everything as if she dared not miss a thing. Allarion hoped to hear a noise or word of interest, but her lips remained tightly sealed.
Too soon, they reached the bedchamber he’d prepared for her. It was near his own, where he took his needed long sleeps. He hoped one day to share a bedchamber, abed,with her, but even in the throes of lust, he knew he had to give her her space in these first days.
Setting down her bags, he inclined his head at the door just ahead, left ajar. “That shall be your room.”
A lamp illuminated the inside, and she’d just be able to see the fine canopied bed and cedar chest awaiting her. He’d filled the room with things he hoped she’d like, things that were a pleasure to touch and see. As his mate, she would have only the finest things—if she didn’t like something, he’d procure her something else. Now that she was here, he would undertake the rest of the repairs to her taste, and one day soon, the house would be just as she wanted it.
“Mine?” she asked softly.
Allarion didn’t like the wariness in her gaze when she turned it on him, like she was asking far more with that one word.
“Yours. My bedchamber is just there.” He pointed out his door, not far down the corridor.
“We’re not…?” Her lips twisted with alarm.
“Not yet. But I hope, when you are ready, we may share a space.”
Whatever he’d hoped for in her response, it was more than the brusque nod he received.
In terse movements, she pulled the cloak from her shoulders and threw it over one of his. When she made to move away, their bound hands pulled her back.
Molly stared at the ribbon tying them together before pulling a small knife from her pocket. With a quick flick of her wrist, she cut the ties, freeing her hand and leaving him clutching the ruined ribbon.
Without a word or glance, she ducked to pick up her bags and hurried into her chamber. The door closed swiftly, with a resoundingthud,behind her. Then the lock scraped into place, echoing through the empty house.
Allarion stared at it, befuddled.
That…wasn’t what he’d expected. Or wanted.
Did he expect her to want to or even insist that they share a bedchamber? That he join her in bed or that he stay with her through the night? No. But…it was a pleasant thought.
Faced with a shut and locked door instead, the disappointment couldn’t be helped.
Peering down at the ribbon in his hand, he brought it to his nose to catch the waning scent of her before stowing it away in a pocket.
He lingered at her door, listening to her quietly move about the room. It sounded as if she opened every drawer and upended every cushion. For what purpose he couldn’t guess.
What’s wrong?asked Bellarand through the bond, no doubt feeling his disquiet.
She’s retreated into the bedchamber and locked the door.
A distinctly equine whinny of laughter echoed in his head.
You’re no help.
Oh, bah,huffed the unicorn.Tomorrow, we’ll find the biggest human male we can, then you’ll fight him for dominance and prove you’re a suitable sire.
Allarion couldn’t help it—he rolled his eyes.
Finally, after another long moment of staring at the closed door barring him from his bride, Allarion decided to quit the field for the night, a little disheartened but certainly not displeased. He had her here, with him. She was his bride, hisazai,and every day she spent here would be another closer to his goals.
One day soon, she would open her door to him.
Hopefully morning would shed new light on how to further his cause.
