Page 152 of Witchlight
The fire snapped; orange light flared.
“I am not married,” she told him. “I have no lover… b-but you. And the Threads between us are true.Mhe varujta,Aeduan Amalej.Te varuje.”
“Te varuje,”he repeated back, and although neither of them said it, they both knew it was true: now they were not just Heart-Threads to each other, now they were braided in the Nomatsi way. Now they were bound with the Moon Mother’s blessing.
Iseult kissed Aeduan then. A tender, almost tentative thing because herinsides felt scraped clean. Like everything had been yanked out, leaving only heat and fullness behind.
“It’s more comfortable in the Monastery,” Aeduan offered after several minutes of delicate lips and gentle hands.
“I—I don’t want to be near people.” Iseult kissed his jaw. “And the tent is comfortable too. You’d be surprised how many supplies I could fit on Blueberry’s back.”
Aeduan laughed—it was a sound that, again, was simultaneously light and solemn. “He would be angry if we wasted his efforts.”
“Yes,” Iseult agreed, and after slipping her hand—sore though it was—into Aeduan’s, she led her Bloodwitch toward the tent. The campfire hissed and shuddered as they passed.
And the stars shone like fireflies waiting for wishes to come true.
SEVENTY-FOUR
You are taking too long to write to me, my Queen.
And you are too impatient, my Empress. There is so still much to clean and heal and fix inside my city.
Mine too, but it is much easier when I know I will see you. Please visit again.
The Truce Summit is next week. I will see you there.
Do not make me wait an entire week, Vivia.
I thought you were busy negotiating between the Baedyeds and the Sand Sea dwellers. You told me just yesterday that you had no time to eat or sleep. I certainly don’t.
Yes, but you are much more important to me than eating or sleeping.
And I imagine you are blushing now, in that very sweet way that you do.
Don’t pretend I am the only one who blushes, my Queen. You’re much more forthcoming in these letters than in person.
I am trying, you know.
I do know, and I do appreciate. And I would like to show that appreciation in person. Please. Is it not better for both our peoples if we are at our strongest? And I am always strongest when I see you. I can send Windwitches for you, if you have none to spare.
Cam will take me on Aurora. Although he keeps sneaking off, thinking I don’t realize he’s got himself a lover somewhere.
Is that a yes, then? You will come?
Did you really think I would refuse? You, who are the Chosen of the Fire Well?
Tease all you want, Vivia, but I can never tell with you. I was trained my whole life to win arguments, yet I think my tutors would despair if they knew how much trouble I have convincing you to do anything.
Well, your tutors need not despair quite yet. Because you’ll see me tomorrow. It’ll be late, though. After sunset.
And I will, as always, wait up for you.
Stacia Sotar had been watching Vivia for only several moments from the doorway, but it had been more than enough time to know Vivia was not writing a simple missive to her vizers or commands to her admirals.
She was writing to the Empress of Marstok, and seeing that much pleasure on Vivia’s face…
Well, Stix might as well pour some salt on the wound that had brought her here in the first place.
