“Yes,” Sylph said, as they’d agreed, but they hadn’t discussedthis next part, and she hoped it went well. “And we’ll be engaged to bemarried, if you accept, Thana.”
Thana’s jaw dropped, and she glanced at the queen and prince, butSylph bet they were just as shocked. Only one other person was in on thissecret, and Dina had been sworn to silence.
Sylph took a breath to calm her pounding heart. Dina had assuredher that Thana would say yes, but now that she was here…
“I wondered what to call you, you see.” She took Thana’s otherhand. “People will ask who you are, and I could say you’re my teacher becauseyou’ve taught me so much, but that title isn’t enough. I can’t call you myraven, as they wouldn’t understand all the affection there.” With a chuckle,she closed Thana’s mouth with one finger. “And I can’t say that you’re mylover, even if it’s true, because you would blush every time.” And charmingly,she did so right on cue. “So I thought it might do well to say that you’re mybetrothed, conveying how important you are while leaving it to you when weshould marry, if indeed you ever want to.” She kissed Thana’s hand, noting howher own fingers trembled but from good feelings this time. “I swear now, beforethe queen and prince, that I shall do whatever you require to keep us side byside.”
Tears flowed down Thana’s cheeks, and she launched herself intoSylph’s arms. Sylph laughed as their hug soon expanded to include the princeand the strong arms of the queen.
“Brilliant,” Prince Gunnar said, wiping his eyes when they brokeapart.
“I agree,” Queen Earnhilt said, a little misty-eyed herself. “Saythat lot again, and I might marry you.”
Sylph gave a gracious bow. “Dina helped with the words, but thesentiment was all mine.”
“And she kept this a secret?” Thana asked, voice rising.
“I certainly did,” Dina said from the door to the bedroom. Ivarand Illis followed her out with several bottles of wine, and everyone cheeredlike in a story.
Thana eyed the members of the Order with suspicion. “I had thatsecret passageway blocked off.”
Queen Earnhilt laughed as she accepted a glass. “They told methey wanted to hide and jump out on you for some mystery celebration. I thoughtit might be because our current troubles seem at an end.”
“That, too,” Prince Gunnar said. “And for our new royalpyradisté, who is where, by the way?”
“Didn’t want to come,” Dina said. “Gonna be loads of fun, thatone.” Thana gave her a playful shove, but Dina just chuckled. “I will rememberthe beauty of your joy forever, Than.”
Thana blushed again and rolled her eyes, but she wore a smile theentire time.
“To Farraday,” Queen Earnhilt said, lifting her glass. “And toLady Lucia and the others no longer with us.”
They drank, their mirth suspended for a moment until PrinceGunnar said, “To Dina, for taking a Fiend.”
“And for charitably sleeping with you,” Ivar added.
Illis sputtered as he drank, but everyone else cheered. PrinceGunnar narrowed his eyes before he winked, making both brothers turn a littlered.
Dina lifted her glass to Sylph and Thana. “To this happy couple,if I can count Thana’s leaping into Sylph’s arms as a yes to being engaged?”
“Yes, you hooligan,” Thana said. She grabbed Sylph’s arm, and thelook she leveled upward melted Sylph’s heart. “Yes.”
They kissed among more cheers and drank again.
* * *
Later that night, in Thana’s bed, they lay in a tangle of sheets,both breathing hard, and Sylph felt a contentment she’d never known before.
“I’m going to write a book about you,” Thana said.
Sylph tried to reason why but could consider nothing but bliss.“About this?” she asked, gesturing to the wad of sheets, evidence of theirlovemaking.
Thana barked a laugh. “While I’m sure that would sell well, no.About your unique power.”
“Is that wise? You’ve often spoken about its capability fordestruction.”
Thana was quiet for a moment. “But even if others figure out howto make these pyramids of stone, they might not be as powerful as you.” Shelooked up from Sylph’s shoulder with a frown. “Then again, maybe you’re right.If someone else is meant to have this power, they’ll come to it on their own. Ijust hate the idea of knowledge being lost.” She snuggled in tighter. “MaybeI’ll write it, then hide it.”
“It won’t be the only secret around our house. The prince wantsmy advice on setting up a spy ring.”
Thana shuddered. “The less I know about that, the better.”
Sylph kissed her temple. “My raven is always honest andhonorable.”
Thana kissed her back, eyes sparkling in the light of a singlecandle on the bedside table. “Do you have any idea how much I love you? Wouldyou like to be my betrothed?”
Sylph bit her lip to keep from laughing and widened her eyes.“How sudden and unexpected.”
“Just say yes.”
“I don’t know. That proposal…lacked grandeur.” She squealed whenThana tickled her. “I do not respond to marriage proposals under duress!”
Thana continued her assault, adding in kisses and repeating thequestion until Sylph couldn’t breathe for laughing and cried, “I yield. Yes!”Amid giggles, she added, “You horrid little bully.”
“But I got what I wanted,” Thana said, arching an eyebrow.“Proving that tickling and kissing are undeniable motivators.”
“I’ll remember that for the next council meeting.”
Thana laughed. “I love you, Duchess.”
“And I, you, Duchess-to-be.” When Thana’s jaw dropped, Sylphsaid, “Oh yes. You will be what you once hated.” It seemed Thana hadn’t reallyconsidered that, and Sylph felt a flutter of fear until Thana shrugged andsnuggled close again.
“I’ll work hard to serve as an example to other nobles that onecan possess a title andavoid being an ass.”
“Such an insurmountable task will surely keep you from boredom.”
“Life will never be boring with you.” She kissed Sylph’sshoulder. “Shouldn’t we try to sleep? Tomorrow is another future to lookforward to, and we’ll want to be well rested.”
Sylph couldn’t help a smile. “Or we could start a future worthlooking forward to right now, and to the spirits with being well rested.” Shecaressed Thana’s side, driving home her meaning, and returned Thana’s smile andkiss.
They blew out the candle together and lost themselves in theblissful present.
About the Author
Barbara Ann Wright writes fantasy and
