Her green eyes lifted, bright with sudden hope.
Storne’s mouth twitched.
“She’s here.”
He pressed his lips to her hair.
“I sent Matteo to fetch her from Irongate at first light.”
Amerei blinked. His mother. Her grandmother.
At last, she smiled.
“Dry your eyes,” Storne said, mock-gruff. “You’ll get no sympathy from her. She’s long missed her own Ruakite.”
“Speak of the sea and it arrives on the tide…” a voice called from the other side of the door.
Amerei’s feet barely touched the floor as she hurried to open it.
“Líri!”
Lady Juliet Rydan Storne swept in—a golden-haired she-elf with a tongue as sharp as her wit. She cupped Amerei’s face, her smile bright as sealight.
“Of all the men in the realm—how did my granddaughter find a Ruakite?”
“He came to us, actually,” Storne muttered.
Amerei laughed as Juliet shot him a glare that clearly meant,I wasn’t speaking to you.Her fingers combed through Amerei’s loosened hair, clicking her tongue.
“Is this how you intend to give yourself to a husband? Ink-stained and untamed?”
“I’ve been writing all day, Líri.” Amerei blushed. “I have a speech to give before the Senate tomorrow.”
Juliet lifted her chin with gentle fingers.
“Then we’ll dress you to face the elves tomorrow… and undress you for your husband tonight.”
“Spare me, Mother.” Storne cleared his throat as he turned back toward his desk.
Juliet’s eyes narrowed, fierce as flint.
“I gave birth in the middle of a siege, Masten. You’ll survive a few mentions of lace.”
She drew Amerei to her feet with one hand at her elbow, the other wrapping firmly around her fingers.
“I had Sylvie draw your bath. Your Ruakite will not resist the scent of moonblossom—”
“Dask, Mother!” Storne growled.
Juliet huffed under her breath, sweeping Amerei out into the hall.
“He acts as though he never caused me grief enough to gray my hair when he was courting your mother. I’m astonished you didn’t come sooner.”
Amerei’s laughter was light on her tongue, but something caught her eye on the veranda. She lingered as Juliet stepped into her chamber door.
“Amerei!” Evander’s voice rang from the corridor. “Your Líri is here!”
He nearly tripped over his own boots when he reached them, stopping short with a bow. Juliet’s gaze cut to him, sharp as a blade measuring steel.
