“You haven’t met the girl’s family yet?” Orksan said.
“We’re on our way to her home now,” replied Edan smoothly.
As Edan launched into a ridiculous tale about how we’d met and gotten married, I wanted to cover my face with my hands. I’d run away from a terrible match with the local butcher, he told them, stowing away in his caravan, only for Edan himself to fall in love with me—I was so mortified I simply took another drink. And another. The more I drank, the less it burned my throat. The less I worried, too, about Lady Sarnai’s dresses or Vachir or Keton and Baba at home without me.
“Easy there,” Edan said, pushing the gourd from me.
“He doesn’t want you to sleeptoowell,” one of Orksan’s men piped up.
The men chuckled, but Edan didn’t. I dipped my head low, not knowing if the flush on my cheeks was from embarrassment or from the wine.
The men began exchanging stories, and when it was Edan’s turn, he drew a little wooden flute from the folds of his cloak. He whistled often when we were traveling. But I’d never heard him play.
“I never can remember the words to songs or stories,” he said with a laugh. “But I can remember the notes to a tune.”
He pressed the flute to his lips. The sound was sweet, and there was an innocence about the melody, one that tugged at my heartstrings. Even the children were quiet as Edan played, the little boys tapping their feet to the rhythm.
Above us, the flushed moon rose. The sky was brilliant amber, streaked with honey and persimmon. The moon climbed steadily, a pink rose blooming amid soft flames.
I sat cross-legged on my blanket and gazed at Edan. Normally I wouldn’t have stared at him so obviously, but the wine had washed away my caution. There was a tickle in my stomach as I listened to him. I didn’t want this night to end.
Edan looked peaceful when he played, as if he were serenading the moon. His face was burnt and tanned, as mine must have been. The sky slowly darkened to mahogany.
Then the song was over. Everyone clapped, and Edan bowed his head. He looked tired, but there was a faint smile on his lips. “The wife and I should retire. It’s getting late.”
“It’s not late,” I protested. I lifted my head to the sky. “You just want to leave so you can fly away.”
If I hadn’t drunk so much, I would have caught Edan’s flinch, but it was fleeting, and I barely noticed. He forced a laugh and patted my shoulder. “Up we go. The wife needs her rest.”
“No good-night kiss?” Orksan teased.
Orksan’s brothers chimed in. “Kiss her.”
“You can’t leave without a kiss.”
That tickle in my stomach returned. My head weighed more than I remembered as I turned to face Edan. He was already looking at me, a strange, hesitant flickering in his eyes. Was he going to kiss me? Orksan and his brothers chanted in the background, and my heart quickened. Was he leaning forward?
I couldn’t bear the suspense. So hastily I surprised even myself, I kissed Edan on the cheek. A quick peck, then I shot up so fast that Edan had to grab me by the waist so I wouldn’t fall.
Edan wrapped my arm over his shoulder. I couldn’t argue. My heart pounded, and blood rushed to my head when he pressed a gentle kiss on the side of my lips, just missing my mouth.
His lips were soft, despite the desert’s unrelenting dryness. A shiver flew up and down my spine, even though his breath was warm, and his arm around me even warmer.
The world beneath me spun. I felt Edan’s hands clasp under my knees, and the pressure of standing disappeared. He was carrying me! But I was too tired to care. He was strong, and he crouched low to enter a tent. I turned away from the light.
“Don’t enchant me into falling asleep,” I warned him drowsily.
“I don’t think you need any help with that tonight.”
I knew he was right, even as I defiantly tried to stifle a yawn. “I’m going to stay up. I’m going to watch you change into a hawk. Don’t you dare touch me. I know you enchanted me last night.”
Edan’s hand hovered above my forehead, but he pulled it away and didn’t touch me. “Sleep well, my Maia.”
Curse him, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. They closed, and my mind lingered on a forbidden thought before slipping into slumber.
I wish Edan had kissed me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
