Page 5 of A Song of Saints and Swans
I relaxed into her touch, closing my eyes and letting my close friend’s peaceful energy envelop me while I attempted to calm my racing heart.
“Let’s get her back to her wagon,”I heard Jarilo mumble to his sister—all teasing gone from his tone. “She should probably lay down for what it says...”
Did that bastard read my letter?!
As if sensing my impending rage, Marena swept me into her arms. Her sedation powers washed over me like a chilly tidal wave, instantly lulling me into a deep sleep full of snow-covered dreams.
A Single Step
ANTHIA
Iawoke to the feel of a cool cloth on my forehead and Marena’s melodious voice murmuring calming nonsense in my ear.
She could read me the swan shifter by-laws and turn it into a lullaby.
Just as I was about to snuggle deeper under my embroidered quilt, a decidedly less soothing disturbance filled myVardowagon.
“I fail to see the problem here, Gerard, and I certainly wasn’t asking for permission.”
Jarilo was using his haughty prince tone. Even without opening my eyes, I couldseethe displeased look my father would give at the blatant disrespect.
Only this fool would speak to a clan leader like that.
“The issue is that you’re not a shifter—a swan shifter, to be exact.” My father slowly replied, remaining impressively calm, despite how legitimately aggravating Jarilo was. “And as Anthia is my only heir, it’s expected that she continues this proud line of clan leaders by mating with another swan and—”
“She will not be mating with another swan or any other earthly being, for that matter.” Jarilo sniffed with misguided annoyance. “As my consort, the only bed she’ll be warming from now on is mine.”
EXCUSE YOU?!
“Idiot,” Marena sighed under her breath as I sat up so quickly, my head spun.
“What in the ever-lovingfuckgave you the impression I was yourconsort?”I hissed, bringing everyone’s attention to me. “Or that I would so much as set one toe in your bed, never mind enough of me to warm it?”
My father, at least, had the good grace to stop talking about me as if I wasn’t in the room, but Jarilo simply crossed his arms and unwisely stood his ground.
“It sounds likesomeonemight need more of a nap, hmm, little swan? If you insist, we can discuss this more on the journey north, although my mind is already made up. Now!” He briskly clapped his hands, somehow surviving my glare. “I’ve taken the liberty of packing your bag, so after you’ve read the letter, we can be on our—”
“Letter?” My father furrowed his brow. “What letter? And why would you be journeying north? Your place is here, Anthia, where you belong.”
I don’t belong anywhere.
Before I could open my mouth to reply, Marena smoothly cut in. “Please forgive my brother’s inability to communicate, Gerard. What hemeantto say was that Perun sent a written request for Anthia to join us for theVelja Noccelebration tomorrow night. She will take on thesymbolicrole as Jarilo’s consort—to usher in the new year and the new cycle of growth and bounty for the land.”
Jarilo narrowed his eyes, but blessedly had enough sense in his pretty head not to call out his twin on her blatant lie.
He’s smarter than he looks.
“Oh! Well, thatisan honor,” my father stuttered. “And I wouldneverdeny Anthia an invitation fromPerun,god of lightning and supreme ruler of the Prav above.” He shifted his focus to me. “How long do you expect to be gone? Now that the forest has been restored, I was hoping to speak with you about taking over as clan leader. It’s time to start thinking about the future again.”
The unconditional—and undeserved—trust in his expression cracked what little heart I had left. “I’m not sure.” I swallowed hard and averted my eyes. “There’s… something I need to look into first.”
“Of course, Anthia—whatever you need. You’ll make sure she doesn’t get into trouble, won’t you, Rena?” My father warmly smiled at the goddess who’d been enough of a staple around our settlement to practically become a swan herself.
When she nodded in reply, a more guarded glance was sent in Jarilo’s direction. “I would greatly appreciateyoutaking care of her as well. Anthia is all I have left, and she’s… been through a lot.” Gerard cleared his throat and stiffly nodded at me again before shuffling out of theVardo,leaving uncomfortable silence in his wake.
Instead of launching into the snarky commentary I was expecting, the god of springtime thoughtfully gazed after my father for a moment before turning to face me.
“Would you like to read the letter yourself, Anthia?” he gently asked.“Or would it be helpful for one of us to summarize?”
