Page 88 of Rook of Ruin
“Hair.” His face illuminates.
I can’t help myself. “Ummm . . . hair?” Ick. Gross. I’m going to be wearing someone’s long hair?
In a hushed voice, he says, “Aon-adharcach.” I tilt my head, questioning. Simon smiles and whispers, “Unicorn.”
I start to laugh, then I realize he’s being serious. “Oh. Apologies. I didn’t—”
Simon waves a dismissive hand, completely unphased by my reaction. “My mother received the hair as a gift and had it woven into leathers—she gave it to me before she passed.” Sadness crosses his eyes. “Her name was Sorcha. She was part of the Tribe of Elders.”
Oh, damn. Impressive. Women who were selected to be a part of the Tribe of Elders were made for war, traveling through each kingdom as peace-keeping warriors—until Tynan’s ruthless King Aneurin killed them all.
I give him a hug. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Simon’s smile hides his grief. “I think you two would have gotten on quite well. She was a really good woman.” He shakes his head. “She had leathers made for me with it woven through, and it’s kept me alive this long. I wanted to do the same for you. The men and women who serve directly under me have the same leathers to protect them.” Simon gives me a side smile. “And one day, our children will have them too.” He gives a small laugh. “I have enough for a few generations.”
Warmth spreads over my skin. Affectionately, I move a curl out his handsome face. “I think, if your mother was anything like you, I would have adored her. Thank you for your kindness—your generosity.” His knuckles gently move my chin up, and he kisses my lips.
Guilt strikes through me—Simon has given me so much. I have yet to gift him with anything, and he deserves something wonderful.
Simon frowns at my expression. “Are you sure they are to your liking? I can have Rook leathers made or—”
I interrupt him, “No. These are absolutely wonderful. I truly love them and can’t wait to wear them.” I give him a half smile. “I also can’t wait to make the Ravens jealous.” My smile falls, and I sigh. “I just haven’t gifted you anything.”
Simon seems genuinely astonished. “Orlaith, you gave me your life when we took our vows. There’s no more of a precious gift than that. Forever, O.” He kisses my hand with my ring.
“But you also gave me your life.” I’m almost pleading for him to understand. “Your life is precious to me, and I want to honor you. You deserve the world, Simon.”
The look he gives me would melt the coldest of hearts. “I love you so much, O. What an adventure we are going to have together.”
Joy. Sheer, wonderful joy fills me.
After food and a kiss from Simon, he helps me into my new leathers, adjusting the straps to make it more comfortable and sliding very small daggers along my chest.
Regretfully, I take off my brace and lay it on the bed next to my book. A sadness washes over me, knowing I will not have my protection or be able to use it to heal others.
Nora knocks on the door, and she looks me up and down as Simon pulls the last clasp. She sets a large velvet box next to my brace and the red leather book, then stares at both.
“Nora?” She jumps at her name.
“Sorry, my lady.” She smiles sadly. “I was lost in my own head.”
She leads me over to the couch and twists my hair into two separate plaits, starting at my forehead and then weaving them together at the end, then applies all the necessary powders and goop to my face to make me a presentable princess. She retrieves a crown that is white gold twisted together with onyx and covered with little red rubies that remind me of blood flecks.
Simon pulls out the dagger from his drawer and turns just as I stand up. He sucks in a breath. “You look like a warrior queen.”
“That you do, Your Highness.” Nora curtsies and begins to leave the room.
“Nora?” She stops. “Thank you. For everything.” I realize she is not coming, but she must not have had the heart to tell me. “If I may?” I walk over and give her a warm hug. I feel her tense and then relax, and tears form at the corners of her eyes. “Nora, you have my loyalty, should you need anything, anything at all. I—”
She cuts me off. “Thank you, O. I will miss you.”
“I will miss you too.” I rub her shoulder, and for a moment, I think she is about to tell me something important, but she walks away without a word.
“What’s this?” Simon flips through the red leather book, his face full of surprise as he reads a page.
I pluck it out of his hands. “Maybe I’m getting ideas for later.”
He laughs. “If that is where you getideas,I’ll make sure to stock the whole library with similar books.”
