The King of Anavrea (Book Two of the Theodoric Saga) by Rachel Rossano

easily. “We were
just trying to figure out how I could tell if someone honored me
with a bow as required.”
    “Trahern and I discussed a similar issue today.”
Ireic rose and strode a few steps away. His shoes squeaked when he
turned back toward her.
    She lifted her gaze to where she guessed his
face was.
    His voice took on a concerned note. “I intend to
spending as much time as I can with you. I want to ease your
adjustments into your new home, but I am not going to be able to do
so as much as I would like.” He set to pacing as he spoke. “The
council returned for their fall session a month ago. It is plenty
of time to make great strides unhindered by my oversight and
interference. I expect to be untangling their knots for weeks after
we arrive.”
    He fell silent again, most likely caught in his
own thoughts.
    “I will be busy settling into my new role.”
Lirth hoped her voice didn’t betray her fear. “I am sure I will be
fine. Having a companion, though, would help with the things I
cannot do.”
    “Trahern suggested that we take one of the
students as a companion to help you. Someone who knows how to
function at court and can guide you until you settle in to your
roles.” He paused.
    Lirth’s face pricked with awareness of his gaze
on her.
    “Eve suggested a young woman named Larissa. She
will introduce you before the wedding and by the time we leave
tomorrow morning, you can let me know how you like her.”
    He was giving her a choice? Lirth lifted her
face to meet his unseen regard. She had never had a choice before.
Servants, tutors, and governesses came and went by order of her
father. Even her brothers had no say in the running of their
household. Father ruled everyone like they were prisoners. Then she
lived as a prisoner in that tower.
    “Don’t look so shocked, Lirth.” He sat next to
her and claimed her hand again. “I want to take care of you and try
to make you happy.” The warm pressure of his fingertips on her
cheek made her jump. Torn by the impulse to lean into his touch and
the instinct to shrink away, she froze like a small animal in the
light of a lantern.
    “I also want to please you.” As she spoke, she
lifted her hand and reached for his face. She encountered the
slightly rough surface of his jaw.
    His sharp intake of breath made her pause. Did
he like it? Was she being too bold? Just when she lost her nerve
and began to lift her fingers away, he caught them. He kissed the
palms.
    “Thank you, Lirth.” The vibration of his voice
against her skin produced a warmth in her middle. “You already
do.”
    A soft knock on the door interrupted them before
Lirth recovered control of her tongue.
    Ireic rose and stepped away toward the windows.
Making sure they had an acceptable distance between them, Ireic
called a reply.
    The door opened. A little girl’s voice said,
“Madam Eve wishes the princess to come begin the preparations for
the ceremony.”
    Lirth rose to her feet. “Your Majesty?” She
curtsied in his direction, schooling her face into what she hoped
was a mask of cool indifference.
    Sensing from the lengthened silence that he had
dismissed her with a nod, she responded as though he had. “Thank
you, your majesty.”
    As she struggled to recall her orientation in
the unfamiliar room, Ireic approached and claimed her hand. He
placed it securely on his arm. “Allow me escort to you, my lady.”
He led her to the door.
    “Again thank you, my lord,” Lirth replied with
apparent calm.
    In truth, her heart thumped frantically in her
chest. What did she think she was doing? If it had been the palace,
she would have had to stand there like a fool until someone else
rescued her. Or, she could have walked into the furniture between
her and the wall. This marriage was going to be a mistake.
     
    __________
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Lirth tried to smooth stubborn wrinkle in the
fall of her skirt. She had crumpled it in moment of anxiety and now
it would not lie flat.