Page 16 of Song of the Dawn
He was close, too close. Ducking my head, I moved out of the way, wanting to linger but unsure what to say when I had a task to complete. Pointing to the door, I blurted out, “I heard strange noises down there.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
“A slurping sound, like a beast was drinking something.”
I almost missed the flash in his eyes. It was there in an instant and gone the next. He pressed his lips together, and irritation crossed his face. “I’ll look. Sometimes the cat gets trapped down there.”
I opened my mouth to tell him I didn’t think it was a cat, but his odd expression made me change my words. “I hope it’s only the cat.”
A beat passed and stretched before I ripped my gaze away. On the other side of the wall, Moses whistled and Marley, large and silent, chopped.
Ezra opened the door to the cellar, and the musty air flowed in. I gave an involuntary shudder.
“Mila, will you have wine with me tomorrow evening?”
No. Wine with Ezra was dangerous, out of the question, but the idea was irresistible. “Yes,” I agreed breathlessly.
“Come up to my office on the fourth floor, just past the library.”
Nodding, I spun away, thrilled, before he could see the smile that crept across my lips. Ezra wanted to have wine. With me.
When I breezed back into the dining hall, Ginger looked up briefly from her papers, and her eyes narrowed as she watched me pass. Shaking off the odd sensation, I climbed the stairs to deliver the wine.
Mila
“When do you go to town for clothes?” I asked.
It was morning, early, before the guests were up, and I waited for Rachelle in the staff’s lounge. She stumbled down the stairs, yawning and stretching. I couldn’t remember if I’d heard her in her room the evening before.
Her eyes perked up. “Usually on slow days. I’ll go with you because I want some new gowns too. Namen, the dressmaker, is skilled and fast. She makes the most splendid, exotic gowns, and Ezra worked out a deal with her. Because we work here, she gives us a discount.”
Ezra. Of course. My blood warmed at the thought of him. “How generous. Will Ginger let us both off?”
Rachelle fidgeted with her thick braid. “I’ll ask her for an extended afternoon. The town is quaint, but I enjoy going.”
I’d seen the town from a distance, a row of low-lying buildings, much smaller than Solynn, but I had yet to go myself.
“We’ll meet all kinds of people,” Rachelle continued. “Did you know Lagoda is known for breeding horses? On the other side of town, there’s a pasture full of horses, another reason so many come to the inn.”
“I heard it mentioned.” I watched her, enjoying the rare moment of introspection from her.
Rachelle went on, her tone wistful, “I used to ride when I was young. My father bought me a pony, and I loved her. One day, he promised me when I was older, I’d get an actual horse. I wanted a stallion, big and proud, not one of those frightened mares. Gentle, yes, but what’s the fun in that? I want a challenge, to learn to take charge of the reins and bend a wild stallion to my will.”
“What happened?”
She shrugged, and the light went out of her eyes, replaced with that hazy, hollow look. “I was young. I don’t remember. We lost everything, and so here I am…” She trailed off, bewildered, before giving herself a shake. “Come on, the bells will ring soon.”
Spinning, she marched out of the lounge, ending our conversation. But I was grateful she’d shared, for she, too, had hopes and dreams. Now I understood her desire to marry a lord and gain a position of power, for it would allow her to choose her future instead of being a victim of fate. But why did she get that blank look when she recalled her past? I puzzled to myself as I followed her to the bar.
The day was a busy one, and I volunteered to help during the dinner rush. I took tea to Lady Elodie, who requested another bottle of wine. When I mentioned it, Rachelle volunteered to deliver it, and I let her, unwilling to repeat the discomfort I’d felt in the cellar the day before.
My stomach knotted in nerves as the evening hour approached and my meeting with Ezra drew nearer. I fidgeted with everything and even broke a mug while serving ale, spilling the brew across the bar.
Ginger’s hand landed on the rag as I started to clean it up. “Go,” she said. “You’ve worked enough today.”
“Thank you,” I breathed, grateful she made light of my mistake. Poking my head into the kitchen, I waved at Moses. “I’ve come for some supper.”
“I’ve saved you a piece of pie,” he called. “Have a seat. I’ll serve you myself.”
