Page 40 of Stone Lover
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Surah,shockingly enough, could not fly. Malin could, albeit with great pain. He insisted on meeting Kausar in the compound for added support should they be walking into a trap of Geza or Mogren’s making. Surah argued that it showed good faith to simply come alone–Malin refused. Also, he made Surah agree to stay in the background, where she could easily run if trouble brokeout.
“I can’t fly, but I can fight,” Surah said, voiceedged.
Nikolau snorted as Malin replied. “How long has it been since you trained? And you’re weak as well? No. No fighting, Surah. You stay in the back near the exits or you don’tcome.”
Early evening was when the Assembly met. It was not a full Assembly tonight, there being no new business on the docket. The hall was at the center of the compound, enclosed though the ceiling went up the entire height of the tower. Balconies circled the hall all the way up, accessible only by wings. Various nobles spoke in twos or threes, more still roaming the tiled floor, waiting for Geza, at the very end, to call order. The mood rippling through the gathered nobles was tense. There was no way for Malin’s presence to go unnoticed…it was one of the reasons why he stayed away from the palace, to avoid aggravating Geza with the stir the unseated Prince’s presence alwayscaused.
Surah slipped away from Malin, preferring to remain in the shadows while the brothers spoke. She disagreed that the conversation should take place in public at all, but Malin thought the public spectacle of it would protect Surah from being accused of treason, or from further assaults. So she made her way slowly to the front of the room where the Ioveanu’s spoke, keeping to the wall, encountering only the occasional honor guard–a mix of males she’d trained with and males from Ciodaru’sreign.
“LadySurah.”
She started, turning her head at the soft, feminine voice. A female stepped into her line of vision. Young, though no younger than Surah, wings dusted with powdery blue at the tips, an almost lavender cast to her smooth skin. Long hair in braids draped over her shoulder. Silk gown that bared shoulders and showed off silver jewelry. She was lovely, and watched Surah with calm honey-coloredeyes.
“I’m Sililu Cernea. The betrothed of Prince Geza.” She paused, grimaced delicately. “The unwantedbetrothed.”
Surah froze, staring at her. “Uhhh…LadySililu—”
She waved a hand, cutting Surah off. Sililu’s eyes snapped with fire for a split second before fading back to gentle neutrality. “I amwell awareI am the last person you wish to speak with right now. But I think we should speak. Both of our futures are atstake.”
Sililu turned her head, looking at Malin and Geza. Surah followed her gaze, gritting her teeth. She could tell from the set of Malin’s shoulders and the narrowed look of Geza’s eyes that the conversation wasn’t goingwell.
“Oh.”
“Indeed. Come with me.” Quite unexpectedly, Sililu grabbed Surah's hand, dragging her away from the wall with a strength only a gargoyle female would possess–nothing to laugh at, though she looked nearlyfragile.
When Surah saw where Sililu was headed, she nearly dug her heels in. But then her inner child wanted to see the expressions on Geza and Malin’s faces, so she decided to go along with it. Geza’s head snapped around when he saw who approached. Surah watched as her half-brother nearly took a step back, eyes trained on hisbetrothed.
Sililu bowed, not releasing Surah's hand. “Highness, I wanted permission to entertain Lady Surah in my chambers.” She paused, smiling sweetly. “We should get to know each other, don’t you think? We’ll soon be sisters, afterall.”
Geza waved a hand, glancing at Surah. He must have seen some of his own panic reflected in Surah's eyes, because his lips twitched and he relaxed. “Of course, Lady Sililu. Lord Malin and I will be in conference for some time–my thanks for seeing to oursister.”
“She isnotmysister,” Malingrowled.
Geza smirked. “Whatever.”
* * *
She ledSurah to the family wing. An honor for Sililu to be housed there, near Geza. The inside of her suite was decorated suitably for a female of high rank. Neutral tones with hints of feminine color here and there. Surah wasn’t all that interested in the decor, however–she wanted to know if there were any guards waiting to ambushher.
Sililu laughed. “Males. All the same, whether they love women or men.” She gestured and they sat on a cream-colored sofa. “I’m aware Geza does not wish to wed me. I’m also aware I’ve been, alternatively, offered to Lord Malin as a bride in return for my father’ssupport.”
Surah blinked. What happened to smalltalk?
“We don’t have time for pleasantries,” Sililu said, seeming to have read her mind. “My father will hear that I’m speaking with you, and willinterfere.”
“What do youwant?”
“I want nothing to do with the line of Ciodaru Ioveanu,” she replied,softly.
Surah stared at her. “What?”
Her mouth tightened. “Their females don’t fare well. Your mother Adagia. Ciodaru’s Consort. And I have no wish to bear children who may be…afflicted.”
Anger stirred. “Malin—”
She raised a hand. “I mean no offense. But it is every female's hope that her children are healthy and strong and able to fly the nightskies.”
