Page 16 of Bound By Stardust
Indeed, soon came the music, and I moved as though I were in a dream, down into the water, watching as it rendered my dress completely sheer. I lifted a hand and moved my sleeve, feeling as though I were outside of my body, hovering above it, watching but not actively participating.
More mummers came, and then I was walking out of the pool, up the stairs. Water poured off me onto the floor, and I slipped on the wet hem of my robe.
One of those golden-masked Masters caught me around the waist and pressed me against his hard body. My dress soaked the front of his robe, and I wrapped my hands around his arms to steady myself. Whatever was in that drink made me feel woozy.
He bent his golden hair near mine and when he spoke, I knew that voice. “Oh Asira, what have you done?”
10
Drazhan
Asira giggled as I carried her back to Iscariot’s room, the drug already working through her system. I’d forgotten about the ceremony, the mating, and the drug worked into the wine that took away fear, making the humans more malleable when they arrived in High Terrin.
It was disconcerting, the way the Masters always wore their masks and used routine rituals to guide their days. I held Asira close, fighting between fear and fury. How had she been chosen, and what if I hadn’t been there to take Iscariot’s place? She would have been mated tohim.
There were many things I needed to tell her, but she had to be sober. The drug would last for at least a few hours, although sweating it out of her system in a hot bath might speed up her recovery. She was the healer; she should be able to tell me what to do, despite her inebriated state.
I had to admit, I liked the way she held on to me, all her restraints gone. I suspected she had some sort of attraction toward me, but when I’d kissed her, she’d frozen, more stunned than anything else. Instead of giving her a chance to reciprocate, I’d left before she rejected me.
I studied the symbols on the doorway as I passed. Behind me, the Masters were returning to their chambers amid laughter and cheers. Rounds of wine had been passed around, and I was certain the women from Terrin weren’t the only ones who’d soon be out of their minds. First was the ceremony, and then, seven days later, a great banquet was held. I’d been at that banquet once, a year ago, and it was the first time I sensed something was terribly wrong.
It was frustrating, how I was no closer to the truth than I’d been a year ago, and the clue I’d discovered remained locked in my returning memory. That, or it hadn’t been as powerful as I recalled. Why hadn’t I interrogated Iscariot before killing him?
I banged open the door, a half-moon with three stars above the doorframe confirming it was Iscariot’s room. Someone had come to clean up: the clothing had been rearranged, and trays of food sat in the main sitting area. A vase of red flowers was perched near the trays, but the floral scent failed to completely cover up the old tang of blood and iron. I stiffened and dropped Asira into a chair. Pointing a finger at her, I said, “Stay there,” and peeked my head into the bedroom.
It was undisturbed. I’d hidden the body under the bed and dragged a rug over the blood. I was safe. For now.
Removing my mask, I studied the room again. Iscariot was one of the more important members of the brethren, and his large chambers might include a secret entrance to the tunnels. He had a way of slipping in and out of places unseen, and I needed a place to hide his body before it began to rot.
“What are you doing?” Asira laughed. “You look upset. Are you angry that I’m here? It was your doing, wasn’t it?”
I glanced at her wet gown clinging to her curves. If she were sober, she’d be furious, and I needed her to be sober. I needed her mind. The dark and deadly idea that had bloomed only seven days ago returned.Why not enact it? I needed help. “Your being here is not my doing, but I need you to think. What is an herb that counters drugs?”
She snorted and stood, flitting about the room, peering at mirrors and touching the gilded masks. “Depends. If it’s a poison, force them to throw up. If it’s something that passes through the system, flush them with water and let them sleep it off.”
“There’s no time to let you sleep it off. Soon, they will return with more.”
“It was the wine, wasn’t it?”
I nodded. “I told you not to drink it.”
“I had to. Besides, I feel good. Better than I ever have. Everything is slightly blurry, though, and you’re more handsome than I remember.” Asira smiled up at me from under those long eyelashes, her expression coy. “Tell me, that ceremony back there sounded very much like a wedding ceremony. Did we just get married?”
I frowned and stepped back, putting more distance between us. This was not the conversation I wanted to have. At least, not with a drugged Asira. “It’s a bonding ceremony. You’re here to bring children into the world, nothing more.”
“So. I’m married to you now.”Asira’s nostrils flared, and a hint of her foreboding frown flashed across her face.
I suddenly missed the way her eyes narrowed when I said something she disapproved of. The drug had made her caution fade, a very dangerous situation for both of us.
“Come.” I gestured toward the washroom. “Draw a bath and relax.”
“A bath? Inside?” Asira stepped into the bedroom, taking in the bed and the open door to the washroom. “Your chambers are quite rich, as I expected.”
I turned on the water while Asira stared at me in confusion. Recalling what she said about flushing out the toxins, I returned to the main room and filled a tray with water and food. A note had been left on a bottle, warning that it was the drug and a few drops would suffice. I scowled and almost tossed it into the fireplace, then thought better of it. It might be useful later.
Tucking it into the pocket of my robe, I returned to the washroom and placed the tray on the side of the tub. Group baths were common here, with trays of fruit and wine often served, but Asira wouldn’t know that. “Try to eat a bit, and drink lots of water,” I told her. “When you’re sober, I’ll answer all your questions.”
I turned to swing the door shut, but Asira’s question gave me pause. “Don’t you want to join me?”
