Angus Wells - The God Wars 01 by Forbidden Magic (v1.1) Page B

think to offer excuses as he heard the music end and rose to his feet,
ignoring courtesy as he left the table to push through the waiting dancers,
confronting the woman he loved.
                 "You
will excuse me?"
                 He
took Nadama's arm without awaiting a response, leaving Tobias standing as the
musicians began a second tune. He was, at least, as good a dancer as his
brother.
                 That
did not help as he sought the words he was suddenly afraid to utter. Perhaps he
had misunderstood her expression. He swallowed, steeling himself.
                 "Congratulations,"
Nadama spoke before he was able to organize his confused thoughts. "Are
you not pleased with your appointment?"
                 "No,"
he answered, apprehension making his voice gruff. "I have no wish to be a
priest."
                 Abruptly
he was sorry: this was not the way to approach it.
                 "Forgive
me. I had hoped ..." He broke off. "I don't know what I hoped."
                 "It
is customary," she said, smiling in a manner that quickened his heartbeat.
                 "A
priest is celibate," he muttered, cursing his confusion. "A priest
may not marry. Nor study, save religious tracts."
                 Nadama
nodded, still smiling, swirling in a flurry of skirts, returning to his arms,
her perfume heady as she drew close.
                 "I
admit you are an unlikely priest."
                 "I
should not be able to marry," he protested.
                 "Why
should that trouble you?" She was smiling still, though not the way she
had smiled at Tobias. "Are there not ways in which the priests ... satisfy
. .. those desires?"
                 He
felt a coldness knot tight in his belly. He stared at her, feeling that his
heart climbed his ribs to lodge in his mouth.
                 "I
want to marry."
                 "You?
Whom do you favor? And how shall you refuse the. Domm's command?"
                 Did
she pretend confusion? Did she play some game? Did she not understand? The cold
spread, presentiment ugly as a tumor. He thought he heard the desperate
thudding of his heartbeat; felt she must surely hear it, too; must surely know
what it was he asked.
                 "You,"
he said, "I want to marry you. Did your father but speak to mine this business
of the priesthood ..."
                 "Calandryll
..."
                 A
warning rang in her voice; he ignored it, committed now, speaking before the
cold numbed his tongue and he lost the power of speech.
                 "I
love you. I want to marry you. Please?"
                 "Calandryll!"
She moved as far away as his grip on her arms would allow: the distance was a
chasm. "You are fond of me, I know that ... But this is madness. I am
promised."
                 "I
love you.. Will you marry me?"
                 The
music stopped. Tobias stood beside them, a hand extended. Nadama took it,
granting Calandryll one sorry glance before her smile returned, like the sun
rising. Bathing Tobias in its radiance.
                 He
watched them walk toward the High Table. Saw Tobias speak with Bylath. The Domm
rise.
                 Silence
descended again.
                 Bylath
said, "It appears there is further good news: tonight my son has cnosen a
bride. I give my blessing to their union. Nadama, daughter of Tyras and
Roshanne den Ecvin, shall wed Tobias."
                 Calandryll
stared, dumbstruck. It seemed his heart beat a dull threnody against his ribs,
threatening to empty his stomach over the floor. Tobias raised Nadama's hand to
his lips; Bylath beamed, embracing her. Varent offered his felicitations,-
Tyras and Roshanne stepped beaming onto the dais. Calandryll felt himself carried
toward them as the crowd surged forward.