“I’m not sure. Something important was happening. I was scared for Jerrol, something wasn’t right, but I don’t know what.” She took a step back and bumped into her bed; she sat down. “He’s alright now though,” she said as she closed her eyes.
“Where was he?”
“With his Sentinals.”
“His what?” Taelia could hear the shock in his voice.
She lifted her face and opened her eyes. “The Lady claims what is hers,” she whispered, staring at him. Torsion took a step back as her brilliant turquoise eyes bored into his as if she could truly see him. They started to glow as Taelia began to speak; he strained to hear the words as Scholar Deane Liliian spoke from behind him.
“Scholar Torsion, you are not supposed to be in the female quarters,” she snapped.
“Hush,” he hissed over his shoulder as Taelia’s voice overrode theirs. Her voice was full and rich, resonating through their bones as they stood frozen in her doorway.
“The Captain of the Guards awakens,
His Sentinals await his commands.”
Liliian pulled Torsion out of Taelia’s room. She was a strong woman, and her face was like thunder as Torsion opened his mouth to protest. He swallowed his words as his heated gaze clashed with her stormy glare, and he stepped back, bowing low. “My apologies, Deane. I was but offering assistance.”
“I will speak to you in my office. Leave us.” Liliian didn’t wait to see if he obeyed; she stepped into Taelia’s room and shut the door. Taelia’s voice continued, her eyes fixed, the altercation unseen:
“The forgotten are stirring,
The time is at hand.
Beware those who rise,
Thy will to enslave.
Stand firm and true
My people to save.”
“Taelia?” she whispered, gently touching the girl’s shoulder. Taelia shuddered and blinked. Her eyes resumed their natural colour, and she lurched to her feet.
“Taelia, all is well, you are in your room.”
“Where’s Jerrol?” she gasped, her hands reaching.
Liliian gathered the questing hands. “He is not here. I don’t know where he is. You were dreaming.”
“I was?”
“Yes, all is well. It’s time for you to go back to sleep.” Liliian pulled back the covers and helped her back into bed. She rubbed Taelia’s feet briskly; they were freezing. When she was sure Taelia was asleep and muttering no further portents, she left the room and shut the door.
Chapter 12
Deepwater Watch
Alyssa tried to contain her excitement as Millie finished plaiting her auburn hair. The day dawned bright and clear; the skies were a vivid blue outside her window. The Lady blessed the day. Her first Holder confirmation! She was going to witness her first Guardianship, and she could hardly sit still.
“Be still,” snapped Millie yet again. “The more you fidget, the longer this will take.” She was trying to weave green ribbons into Alyssa’s plaited hair, the only way to control her stubborn curls.
“Oh Millie, isn’t he handsome though?” Alyssa’s eyes shone. Aaron had swept her off her feet the previous evening. “So attentive and he dances so well,” she sighed, remembering such a pleasant evening. Aaron had been waiting to welcome the Lord Warden of Greenswatch and his daughter in the courtyard. A tall, fair-haired young man with broad shoulders, dressed in forest green from head to foot. He had flashed her a broad smile, and Alyssa had been captivated by his deep brown eyes, fringed by long black lashes.
“Lord Hugh, Lady Alyssa,” Aaron greeted them. “Welcome to Deepwater.” His voice was deep, and the rich tones made her shiver. He stepped forward to help her dismount onto the wooden block a page pushed into place. His strong arm assisted her to the ground, and she looked up into his smiling eyes. An answering smile hovered about his lips as he lifted her hand, and her skin tingled with the kiss he planted there.
He led the way into the shadowy halls. “My people will show you the way to your rooms to change and freshen up,” he said with a quick nod at the waiting staff. “I look forward to starting the evening with a dance, Lady Alyssa,” he said as she was escorted away.
And dance they had. The evening was a long whirl of partners and Aaron and meeting new people and dancing and Aaron. Aaron had been attentive all night, hovering protectively over her as he introduced her to his friends. He introduced his mother, Lady Olivia, at one point, a careworn lady who hardly spoke. She was dressed all in black, which made her look paler and more faded.
It was such a sad story. Alyssa heard snippets through the night and managed to piece it together. Her husband, Lord Stefan, had been killed in a hunting accident, shot by his men as he crossed their path. They had been very happily married, so the gossip went. She had been devastated by his loss and wouldn’t believe the reports, appealing to the Lady for justice, pressing Aaron to question his men further.
There was even a subtle suggestion that her mind had been overly affected by it all and maybe Aaron would be better served, they said with knowing looks, sending her somewhere quiet to recover. And hands over mouths, they would giggle and move on.
“There, a certain young man is sure to be bowled over now.” Millie grinned knowingly at Alyssa. Alyssa blushed but held her tongue and, shaking out her robes, led the way out of the room and down the stairs.
Lord Hugh paced. He had taken precautions, but now he was wondering if they would be enough. Could he trust his people still? Or had these invidious lies percolated everywhere? They were fast approaching the time for Aaron’s confirmation, and he instinctively knew it was going to be a travesty. He hadn’t quite decided what to do.
The previous evening had been a revelation and not a good one. Everyone he had spoken to had either been afraid to say anything or mouthed platitudes about the new councillors. He was beginning to regret bringing Alyssa with him.
Worst of all had
