A Veil of Secrets (19 page)

Because of our upbringing, Edan met violence with extreme violence. Harm a female, and he came unhinged. I worried that one small reaction might have gained poor Yawi’oyi a guardian during her stay. Already Edan tracked her, and nothing I could say would help.

“Pascale warned me not to interfere where the Maratus are concerned,” I told him.

He scoffed. “Pascale is spoiled. She is so used to overlooking people, she has no idea what harm can come of turning a blind eye to a person in need. In this matter, I must follow my conscience.”

“I figured you would say that.” I sighed. “The size of your heart is one of your best features, but it makes for an easy target. We can’t afford to alienate the Salticidae. If they have some type of feud running with these people, it is not our concern.” Old Father must understand that. “Promise me you will strive to understand her situation before you seek to worsen it. That is all I’m asking from you.”

He grunted. “There have been times when a generous hand earned us generous punishment.”

“Exactly.” I was grateful he understood. “Now, are you ready to meet with Old Father?”

“Yes.” He rubbed his neck where his sigil once rested. “I want this matter settled.”

To avoid involving the Maratus, I asked Pascale to wake Old Father. His chair creaked when he stood, and his jaw popped when he yawned. He gestured for his walking stick and herded us inside his home.

Pascale shadowed him until he sat in his chair. She found extra pillows and tossed those onto the ground for us. She had decided she ought to be present for negotiations, which meant Lleu remained as well. Once the four of us were settled, Old Father thumped his walking stick against the dirt floor.

Our meeting commenced, and the bargaining went as expected. Edan and I had a clan now, and a place to call home. There were other ceremonies involved if we wanted to become full members and have all the rights that came along with such a commitment. We told Old Father we would consider it.

Belonging would be nice. Acceptance would be better. Both required time if they came at all.

Fortunately for us, now that we had secured our dayflower supply, we had nothing but time.

Chapter Twenty-One

Fabric rustled at the entrance of my tent. Dust motes stirred as sunlight sliced through the gloom of the interior. Asher stood at the flap, holding back the fabric. He shifted from one foot to the other.

I took a moment to admire the neat part in his hair. His clean, freshly shaven face. His clothes fit him well. His boots shone. This was the Asher I had first met, and his grim expression worried me.

He cleared his throat. “I’m never sure how to announce myself at these things.”

Two weeks had passed since the last time I saw him. My heart remembered. It swelled until my chest felt too tight, like a bubble ready to burst at the slightest touch. I had difficulty breathing when his gaze settled on me, his eyes so dark and yet so warm. The urge to taste his lips overwhelmed me.

“I’m told the Salticidae string shells or a hollow reed outside the flaps so that guests can rattle or thump until the owner of the tent arrives.” I dusted my hands on my skirt. “What brings you here?”

His lips pursed, not liking that question at all. “Can I come inside?”

“I…” I weighed my wants against propriety and found myself at odds.

He glanced left to right down the street. “We could go someplace else if you like.”

I peered around his side. “What’s that in your hand?”

“A gift.” He drew his arm from behind his back. “For you.”

I studied the light blue fabric wrapping the small square. “A gift. For me.”

His face cracked into a smile. “That is what I said.”

“Edan is the only person who—” My throat closed. “You didn’t have to bring me a present.”

“In this case, I think I did.” He picked at the bow on top. “You see, I’ve been home.”

“Home as in Cathis?” I started. “I thought you only meant to deliver our letter to Henri.”

“Henri’s departure was delayed. His brother, Armand, was to be married the day after I arrived. There was also the matter of him packing enough supplies to make the visit worthwhile. He plans to arrive within another week with reinforcements.” Asher ducked his head. “I figured that bought me a little time to handle a personal matter before returning.” He peeked at me. “I hope you didn’t worry.”

“I did.” I put my hands on my hips. “Since you came prepared to bribe me for my good opinion, I can hardly complain.”

“It is not a bribe,” he said slowly, “but it does come with strings attached.”

My excitement waned. “Isn’t the nature of a gift that it must be freely given?”

“Marne.” He reached for me. “I must be doing this wrong.”

“It depends.” I approached him, and he joined our hands over the threshold. “What are you doing?”

“I went to see my mother. Once I had assured her I wasn’t there for gold or for a place to stay, it was a nice visit. I haven’t seen her in…a long time. I discovered I have two new little brothers.” His smile was brief. “It cost me almost all I have, but I retrieved what I went there after.”

From what I had heard, anything could be bought from the black-market stalls in Cathis.

I tried to withdraw. “In that case, I hope whatever you retrieved isn’t in that box.”

“It is in the box.” He thrust out his hand. “Open it.”

Sweat broke out over my body. Surety flooded me that whatever was in it, I did not want it.

“I’m not sure that’s wise.” I shoved it back to him. “You paid for it. You can keep it.”

“I don’t have any use for it.” He set the box just inside my tent. “This was meant for you.”

I eyed it the same as I would a poisoned apple sliced and plated for me.

“Open it or don’t.” He lowered the flap. “Just don’t return it. Please.”

Thanks to my keen eyesight, my vision adjusted to the dark as easily as it had the light.

The box sat there, mocking me. Its cheerful bow and neat wrapping made my fingers itch.

I curled them into my palm.

Strings attached, he said. I wanted no part of being strangled by obligations. This was my fresh start, my new city and new life. Whatever was in that box threatened those freedoms.

The flap rustled, and my heart leaped. “Asher?”

“Is he back?” Edan stepped inside and onto the box. “What is—what was that?”

I covered my mouth. “Oh no.”

I lunged to rescue the box before Edan finished scraping it from his boot.

“A gift?” His puzzled expression smoothed into one of irritation. “Asher was here.”

“He didn’t come inside, if that’s what has your wings in a twist.” I cradled the flattened gift. The fabric sagged in my hand. Its jaunty bow slid to the floor. “I should have opened it. Now it’s ruined.”

Edan scooped it out of my hands and unwound the fabric. “There’s only one way to find out.”

I grabbed his arms, but he slipped free of me. I had him by the wing when he cursed in a soft voice I wasn’t sure I had ever heard him use before. I released him and circled around to see what held his attention.

He had crumpled the fabric in his fist. The smashed box was torn to shreds. My gift was…

“Is that a bracelet?” I reached for it before I realized I meant to take it from him.

“It’s a marriage cuff,” he croaked. “What did Asher say to you? No. What did he ask?”

“Nothing.” I held the warm gold armband in my hands. It was the width of two of my fingers. Any thinner and it would have been crushed beneath Edan’s heel. Thankfully the box had padded it well. “I mean, he said he had a gift for me. That it came with strings attached. That was all.” I marveled at the intricate pattern stamped into the metal. “He said he retrieved it from his…” I groaned. “It was his mother’s.”

Edan scrubbed his face with his hands. “He wants you to marry him.”

“He hasn’t asked me anything yet.” I was tempted to try the cuff on, but I resisted the urge.

He jabbed his finger at it. “With a gift like that, it’s only a matter of time.”

I smoothed my thumbs over the design. “Do you really think so?”

Edan grumbled, “I’m surprised he isn’t here now, pressing his case.”

“That isn’t his way.” As I said it, I realized how true it was. “He had his choices stolen once. He would never subject another person to that. He gave me this, and now he’s giving me time to think.”

Wings twitching, he rolled his shoulders. “What will you tell him?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I shoved him aside and exited the tent.

Asher had no tent assigned to him. He might have joined the guards in their communal tent, but I bet he would crave solitude until the sting of my rejection—for that must be how it seemed—eased.

I decided to check the spot where he had sheltered Edan. It was far enough to give him peace, and I wouldn’t mind exchanging words with him in private either.

The spot must hold some sentimental value to him if he had remembered it and returned there.

Since becoming a permanent resident of Beltania, I had taken to wearing a light cloak Pascale had woven for me over my dresses. It hid my wings and let people see me as myself. Not as a harbinger. At least, that was what I told myself. It was hard enough to keep my head held high.

Besides, the cloak would save my hide if we had guests unused to living with a tame harbinger.

She had woven Edan a cloak as well, but he refused to accept any gift, no matter how small, from her.

For some clans, such gifts spoke of the giver’s intent. While I doubted the Araneidae resorted to such trickery to secure their mates, Edan was unwilling to take a chance. Flat refusal was his stance.

A carpet of pine needles crunched underfoot as I wound my way through the trees.

On the river’s shore, I found Asher gazing at the pinks and purples warming the evening sky.

He must have heard me tromping through the woods. I had made no effort to quiet my approach.

When he didn’t turn or greet me, I decided I would begin. “I opened the box.”

I left out the part where Edan had crushed it first.

Asher kept silent for the longest time. “What did you think?”

“Of the cuff?” I held it out to catch the last rays of the sun. “It’s beautiful.”

He turned his head. “Do you know what the cuff symbolizes?”

“Marriage?”

“Commitment.”

I eased closer. “Was this your mother’s?”

“It was.” He faced me. “My father’s grandfather purchased it from the Hall of Artisans in Erania while he was courting his future wife. It was passed down through our family for generations until Father gave it to Mother. When he passed, she kept possession of it for the day I—or one of my brothers—claimed a wife. There is a stipulation, you see. A gold price must be paid to the female who surrenders it. No male within our family can marry until that price is met and the cuff given to a new wife of our line.”

“None of your brothers married?” It struck me I had no idea how many he had or their ages.

“Two live with their common-law wives.” His lips thinned. “They lack the means, and the drive to get the means, to purchase the cuff from Mother. While Mimetidae standards are lax compared to Salticidae vows, living together as they do, for as long as they have, with no plans of cementing their bonds, is still an insult dealt to their females.” He crossed his arms. “I want a wife. I want those ties.”

The metal felt heavier in my hand. “Will any wife do?”

“I think you understand me.” He shrugged. “I’m not a very subtle male.”

I stared at him. “Perhaps I want to hear the words instead of assuming what your intentions are.”

“What is left to say?” He rubbed the base of his neck. “I haggled with my mother for you.”

“What you endured at Lailah’s hands changed you. How could it not?” I closed the gap between us. “You have experienced the loss of control over yourself, and you fear putting another person in a position where they might go against their wishes to honor yours. But you have to understand that to ask a question is to get an answer. Even the hard questions must be asked. It might make one or both parties uncomfortable, but it is not you imposing your will. You are allowing the freedom of choice.”

The edge of his lips curled. “Should I beat on my chest now and yell nothing frightens me?”

“If that is what makes you feel better.” I rolled my shoulders. “Who am I to judge?”

“I want to fall asleep with you beside me and wake next to you, Marne. Every day. Until our days end. I want you to marry me. I will wait, if you need more time, but I am resolved.” He dragged his gaze to mine. “Will you marry me?”

I tapped my pointer against my lips, pretending to consider his offer. “I’m not sure.”

The shine left his eyes, and I felt wretched for being the cause.

A final step put us chest to chest, and I stared up at him. “There is one more consideration.”

His brow creased. “What might that be?”

I fisted his lapels and let the blackness of his gaze swallow me. “I have to know—”

His head bent to mine. “To say I love you is to remark that there are stars in the sky.”

“Surely it wasn’t that obvious.” I rubbed my soft cheek against his coarser one.

“If your brother’s not-so-subtle threats to break my hands, legs and neck are to be believed, then I think you must have been the only one in doubt as to my affections.” Asher was smiling at me now.

I nipped his throat and relished his shiver. “What if I demand proof?”

His hands smoothed down my arms. “Aren’t you holding the proof?”

I planted my hand on his chest, trailing my fingers lower, over the hard muscles of his abdomen. Asher’s breath shuddered at my ear. My nails slid past the closure of his pants, down the laces until I traced the length of his erection. His exhales were deafening, his grip on my arms almost painful.

“Ah,” I said softly. “Now I am holding the proof.”

He groaned when my fingers closed around him through the fabric. “Marne.”

“Shh.” I dropped to my knees before him, lengthened my claws and cut through the laces of his pants. His hands tangled in my hair while I tugged the fabric down past his thighs. “Let me do this.”

My breath hit his flush skin, and his moan brought my gaze to his. Asher stared into my eyes when I took him in my mouth.

His taste was salty sweat and clean skin. He smelled of soap and leather. Intoxicating.

His thighs quivered when I raked them lightly with my nails.

I savored his pleasure, humming my approval when his hips started rocking.

“Not enough,” he said quietly before sliding his hands under my arms, hauling me onto my feet. His dark eyes glinted in the dying light. “I need more.” His mouth crushed mine. “Your tent or—”

I groaned into our kiss. The city was so far and… “Edan lives next door.”

While his lips brushed my temple, trailing down my cheek and across my jaw, I solved the problem.

I tugged at the intricate pin holding my cloak together. It hit the ground, and I let my wings stretch after their confinement. While Asher watched them, I reached for the next pin, the one holding my dress together at the shoulder. I removed it, and the material puddled at my bare feet.

A flush stole across his cheeks. He trailed his knuckle from my collarbone down to my breast. My nipples pearled, and I arched my back, inviting his touch. He accepted, cupping my breast in his palm, smoothing his thumb over the sensitive tip. He bent his head, put his mouth on me, swirled his tongue around that aching point and my vision blurred. I murmured his name as his teeth grazed me.

When his other hand drifted lower, gooseflesh raced over my skin. He splayed his hand across my abdomen, drifting lower until his fingers parted my folds and eased inside. His fangs scraped down the column of my throat, his tongue soothing away the slight pain. Asher’s thumb found my center, and I forgot how to breathe. His light strokes kept me gasping, straining against his palm until release set my wings aflutter. My feet lifted off the ground. He gripped my hips to keep me from floating away.

“Not so fast.” He dragged me closer, pinning me to his chest.

Wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms about his neck, I was happy to oblige and sank down his body slowly until my sex glided over his and his eyes rolled closed. His chest pumped, harsh breaths huffing into my ear. He buried his face in my neck and held me, let us both savor the press of our bodies together. When he reached between us and fisted his erection, I met his gaze.