“The Bonded has other duties,” Nora pointed out.“And we serve the Bonded, not the babe.Besides, the midwife recommended people with experience who could be trusted with the heir.Xykeir has them, and Witless.For now.”
“Of course,” Riven said faintly.
“You are torturing that bread, not eating it.”Nora said with a pointed look at his plate.
Riven looked at the pile of shredded bread.
“Why so tense?”Nora asked.
Riven heaved a sigh.“The casting,” he lied.“The day is coming and it needs to be perfect.”
Nora rose from the stool.“Come,” she said, pulling him toward the bed chamber.“Let’s see what we can do about that.”
She felt sogood, tucked up against him, sweat drying on their bodies, their legs intertwined.He pulled up the blankets to make a comfortable nest.Nora fell asleep quickly.
Riven stared at the canopy above their heads and tried, but sleep would not come.
He was as helpless as she was, in many ways.After these last few months, he was wrapped in an emotional cord, as fully bound as she was, with a magic that originated in his heart.He loved her, even though he knew full well she’d kill him if so commanded.
And though he loved her, her attitude toward the babes bothered him.For Nora, for all the Bonded, including the Queen, the babes were things.They were property, assets, to be used and controlled for others’ needs.
Even Xykeir, poor lad.Wet nurses were all well and good, but who would he really be able to turn to when he needed help, when he was sad or lonely or disappointed?That kid was going to need warmth in his life.
It made Riven sick, but not just because of their attitudes.He had to ask himself if he was any better.He’d treated his victims, all his victims, the same, hadn’t he?He hadn’t known the name of the whore he’d killed to raise his undead army, or if he had, he couldn’t remember it.All he remembered was her limp body in Uncle Stancil’s arms.
He wasn’t any better than the Queen, was he?
Satia hadn’t had a choice when she had been bonded.She’d been a babe herself.But she had a choice now.
Riven snorted softly.Not likely she’d change her mind, and if she did, she’d erase all trace of the work he’d done.
Erase him as well.
Nora stirred next to him, then blinked, frowning at him.
“Go back to sleep,” he whispered, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
She drew a deep breath, stretching and yawning.“Still thinking?”
“Yes,” Riven said on impulse.“Witless should bring the babies more often.Get them used to the room and to me.I could burn some of the incense, so they get used to the smell.”
Nora blinked at him.“Why?”
“To avoid screaming and fussing during ceremony,” Riven said.“Can you imagine, if one of them shrieks like that during the chanting?”
Nora rolled her eyes.“Good point.”
“That includes Xykeir,” Riven added.
“I will tell the Bonded,” Nora said, then rolled on top of him.Riven grunted at the weight, even as his body responded.
“Such dedication should be rewarded,” Nora purred.“I think we should—”
Riven’s stomach gave an ugly growl.
“Eat?”Riven asked hopefully.
Nora laughed.
