All in the room gasped.
The Male Voice was given the gift of a voice before the Sisterhood, but he always had to wait his turn to speak. His turn always came last. And he was never to interrupt a lady.
Alyss turned her head to see the Male Voice's eyes were pinched shut.; as was his mouth. It wasn't him who'd spoken. It was the larger male standing beside him.
This male's skin was the color of chocolate mixed with a touch of milk. His eyes were the hazel of an acorn shell. His hair was an uneven mess of dark, tight curls cropped to his head, like a hillside on the horizon. Alyss wondered if he allowed it to grow long would it be as riotous as her own curly mop.
"My apologies, my lady." The Male Voice bowed. "My associate is still in training. He doesn't know all the ways and means of political order within the chambers.”
The man beside the Voice, grimaced and bowed. The grimace did not appear apologetic or cowed, Alyss noticed.
"See that you train him to behave," admonished Sister Valyrie.
Alyss saw the younger male bristle at the directive.
"I have decided," continued Sister Valyrie," that this bill does meet with the directives of this chamber. In two days time, all sides will present their cases and then a final decision will be put before all the council."
Thusly dismissed, Alyss watched the men bow once more and head towards the exit. The larger male caught her gaze as he passed. Recognizing him as part of her competition, Alyss offered him a small smile. But his eyes rolled away from her, his face appeared unaffected. Alyss frowned after him. He must not have seen her.
"You need to get prepared." Her Mother pulled her attention away. "This bill must pass."
"Me? But this is Merlyn's study."
"Your sister will not be helping."
She'd assumed the passage of this bill and her ascendancy to apprenticeship would be an easy walk. "Mother I can't present it. I don't understand the science. Surely you can-"
"I will present the findings, but you will lead the lobbying. I have no gift for social nattering. That's what you're for. You wanted to be apart of the Sisterhood. You will get this bill passed. Otherwise our family will be ruined."
Lady Angyla stormed out of the chamber. Her Mother was not one for the dramatic, so Alyss took the words as the Goddess' gospel. Alyss turned towards the window. There on the horizon, she saw the dark purple now bruised the sky, eclipsing the happy orange from mere moments ago.
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About Ines Johnson
Lover of fairytales, folklore, and mythology, Ines Johnson spends her days reimagining the stories of old in a modern world. She writes books where damsels cause the distress, princesses wield swords, and moms save the world.
MORE EROTIC ROMANCE
BY INES JOHNSON
THE PLEASURE RITES TRILOGY
Pleasure Rites
Carnal Rites
Sacred Rites
THE DUAL ABDUCTION SAGA
Her Dual Abduction
Her Dual Surrender
THE WATCHERS CREW
Test Drive
Cruise Control
Dangerous Curves Ahead
Slippery When Wet
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