After slipping out of the satin sleeping gown, she lowers the emerald silk over her head and arms, and it slides perfectly into place, hugging her body as if it was made for her.
How is that possible?
She studies her reflection in the mirror on the inside of the wardrobe door, first from the front and then from the side.
Remarkable. Every fold. Every silken panel. All of it falls gracefully over her like a waterfall, accentuating her figure in sensuous, though not scandalous, ways.
It’s almost like...magic.
What sort of gown is this?
After taking one last fleeting glance in the mirror, she searches the room for her hairpins from last night, but if they’re here, they’re hidden away. She’s not going to dig through Cerian’s drawers looking for them.
A brush sits nearby, and she eyes it warily. Will he mind if she borrows it?
She’s his wife. Surely it’s all right to use his hairbrush.
Thoughts of his long dark hair fill her as she pushes the bristles through her own reddish-brown locks. Her hair hangs to her lower back, shining in the sun once she’s finished. At least she doesn’t look unkempt now. She’ll haveto find her hairpins later. Or a strap to tie it back. Or something.
Mother would be horrified.
But Mother isn’t here.
Taking a deep breath, Arisanna moves toward the door and pulls it open.
No one stands in the corridor, ready to help her. Not that she really expected anyone, but part of her hoped Cerian would be waiting out here for her.
He’s not.
Maybe coming after him was a silly plan. What is she going to do? Knock on every door until she finds him? She takes in the six doors branching off the rounded central vestibule. Does one of them lead to the chamber she was supposed to stay in when she arrived?
The door across the corridor opens, and dark hair greets her, but her hope is dashed when Tharios smiles down at her.
“You look lost. Are you alone? Where’s Cerian?”
How much should she tell him? He’s used to Cerian, though. He probably won’t be surprised by the truth.
“Cerian...left. I don’t know where he went.”
Tharios’s smile fades, and he sighs. “Be patient with him, all right? He’ll come around.”
Arisanna nods, unsure what to say, and Tharios calls something she doesn’t understand back into the room behind him. Is that the Lothlesi language? Then he turns down the corridor and gestures for Arisanna to follow. “I’ll help you find him.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“I could make a few guesses, but I’ll just use my life magic to search him out.”
Right. He can do that.
When they reach the main corridor, he stops for a moment and concentrates. Then he tilts his head and grins. “Well, now, that’s fascinating.”
Arisanna’s heart speeds up. Unless that’s Cerian’s heartbeat. “What’s fascinating?”
“I think they’re sparring.”
“Who? Cerian?”
“And Father’s in his study. Intriguing. Come on.”
