Meena slipped her hands out of Sol’s, wiping them on her skirt. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“I could feel your discomfort the second you walked through my door. I just needed to ensure it was a discomfort with each other and not with me.”
Meena looked back to Sol. If they had been so obviously uncomfortable with each other that a complete stranger could comment on it only moments after meeting them ...
“Your secret is safe with me.” Sophie winked.
“What secret?” Meena asked, alarmed. The room was growing oppressively hot as the late morning turned into noon.
“There is harmony in both of your hearts,” she answered cryptically. “Even if there is not yet harmony between you.”
“What do you mean?” Meena looked from Sophie to Sol.
Even the unflappable Sol looked concerned.
“If ever I can help you, please feel free to ask.” She dipped her head. “Now.” She turned away, slipping behind a different colorful wall hanging. Meena had assumed it was a wall hanging, but apparently it also covered a door.
“Should we go?” Meena whispered.
Sol shook his head, watching the door where she had disappeared.
She returned a few moments later, carrying a folded parchment. “I believe this is from a friend.” She handed the paper to Sol.
He took it and slid it under the top layer of his doublet. “Thank you for your service,” he said.
“Go to your friends and assure them that your union has been dedicated.”
Sol turned toward the door, moving quickly. His hand covered his chest where the letter lay.
Meena did not blame him. She was eager to know what information had been sent to them. But she spared a moment to smile her thanks to Sophie before she hurried after Sol. It was good to know they had at least one ally in Falqri.
As soon as they stepped back out onto the street, Jules appeared in front of them, smiling expectantly. “Are you dedicated?” he asked. They must not have gone to the seamstress after all, though Meena did notice a sewing shop across the street.
“She said to tell you we were,” Meena replied, using the woman’s exact words, still uncomfortable with the thought of lying.
Jules wrinkled his nose, sniffing and smiling at the same time. “I knew you would love it.” He pulled Ezra into a close side hug. “How special that we got to be here to witness it. If you don’t mind my asking, what did she dedicate you to?”
Meena looked up at Sol. She had no idea what a union was supposed to be dedicated to, so she could not make up an answer. This custom was not common in Iseldis.
Sol shrugged. “I don’t recall.” He looked at Meena as though she were the reason he had not been paying attention to the woman’s blessing.
Even though she knew it was fake, she couldn’t control the flush that spread across her cheeks under his adoring gaze. She smiled shyly back at him, playing her part.
“You must know!” Jules insisted. “Let’s go back and ask her.”
“That’s not necessary,” Sol said.
“Come.” Jules walked between them and jumped down the stairs.
Meena followed, with Sol and Ezra close behind.
“Wise One.” Jules bowed as he entered the room without knocking. “These two lovebirds have already forgotten what you dedicated their future to?”
Sophie raised her eyebrows, deepening the creases that crossed her forehead. “To the future, of course.”
“I’m sorry?” Jules asked, confused.
“I dedicated their future to the future. That their harmony may ever increase.”
