Chapter 36
Carver
Carver would never admit it to Elowen, but he was looking forward to taking Amryn into Zagrev today. He wanted the excuse to take a break from his meetings and spend time with her. Especially after seeing how much she’d enjoyed the visit to his family’s townhome yesterday.
Because they’d returned to the palace so late last night, they hadn’t been able to revisit their interrupted conversation.
He knew something continued to bother Amryn, and he intended to figure it out.
Just as he intended to slip away during her dress fitting so he could hunt down a custom jeweler.
He was excited by the prospect of finally acting on a plan he’d been working out.
Carver smiled as he helped Amryn into the carriage, but that changed as soon as Ivan Baranov climbed into the carriage with them. While Carver was grateful Ivan seemed determined to protect Amryn, he didn’t really want to spend the day with him.
Elowen must have caught his frown. “I invited him,” she mouthed, her eyes meeting his in silent challenge.
Too soon, he realized why the Wolf had been invited.
Elowen sat next to Ivan, chuckling too brightly at something he’d said. The Sibeten man’s mouth curved in a rare smile, his eyes bright as he stared at Carver’s younger sister.
Carver’s eyes narrowed. Oh, Saints, no. He would be putting a stop to that. Immediately.
Before he could open his mouth, Amryn touched his arm. It was a testament to how far gone he was for his wife that even that slight contact made his heart beat faster.
The look she gave him was soft with understanding, yet pointedly clear: Don’t say a word.
His look was just as pointed: You can’t seriously expect me not to say anything about this.
Her lips twitched before she whispered, “Later.”
Oh, he and Baranov would definitely be exchanging words later.
Their progress into the heart of the city soon slowed, the carriage moving at a crawl because the streets were so full.
Zagrev was a large city, but it seemed every person within the city limits was in the shopping district today.
Elowen quickly grew impatient with their sluggish pace.
Since Piera Denvoux’s shop was only a few streets over, she suggested they walk the rest of the way.
Ford and Ivan exited first. Ford’s eyes were on the milling crowd, so it was Ivan who took Elowen’s hand to help her down. Of course. Carver did not appreciate the way Ivan couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from Elowen’s thankful smile. As if he’d never seen anything more fascinating or wonderful.
Carver nearly said something right then. Ivan was too old, too severe, and too lethal for his little sister.
Amryn’s eyes glittered with amusement, but she gave him a subtle head shake as he helped her down from the carriage.
His eyes narrowed. “How long have you known about this?”
“A while,” was the non-helpful answer.
He cursed under his breath.
Elowen soon looped her elbow with Amryn’s, dragging her forward so she could point out her favorite shops as they walked down the teeming street.
Carver shifted to walk behind them, Ford echoing the protective movement while Ivan positioned himself in front of them, helping to clear a path through the hoard of people.
The sounds of shouting, laughter, and a hundred conversations rolled over Carver.
He was used to the crowded city, the sights and smells familiar and comfortable.
He worried briefly about Amryn and how she was handling the crowds.
He knew the bloodstone could help mute the emotions that might have otherwise overwhelmed her, but the entire atmosphere might be more than she was used to.
She seemed happy enough as she chatted with Elowen, though.
He noticed her eye was drawn to a bookshop, her eyes lingering on the large front window.
He made a mental note to bring her back there, either later today or during another visit.
They were nearly to High Market Street when Elowen called out, “Carina!”
The young woman had just emerged from a shop, a wrapped package under her arm. She looked a little startled, but her smile was warm as she made her way to them.
Carver hadn’t seen Carina since the emperor’s feast, when she and Berron had argued. She looked just as pretty as she had that night, her dark hair woven into a braid that encircled her head like a crown.
Elowen handled introductions. Carina knew Carver and Ford, of course, but she was excited to meet Amryn and Ivan.
“I didn’t know you were coming into the city,” Elowen said to her friend. “We could have ridden together.”
“Where are you headed?” Carina asked.
“Piera’s.”
“Ah.” Carina’s eyes sparked. “A new dress for the emperor’s ball?”
“Any excuse for a new dress,” Elowen said with a wink.
Ford snorted. “When have you ever needed an excuse?”
Elowen elbowed him, then asked Carina, “Will you be at the ball?”
“Of course. Father and I wouldn’t miss it.” A shadow entered her eyes, her voice too casual as she asked, “Will Berron be there?”
Elowen’s expression gentled. “He’s supposed to be.”
Carina nodded once, fiddling with the corner of her package. “Well. I’d better get back to the palace. I promised my father I’d spend the day with him.”
“Oh, it’s his birthday, isn’t it? Give him my best, will you?”
“I will,” she told Elowen. She gave them all a last smile before walking back up the street.
Elowen watched her go, sadness etched on her face. “He’s such an idiot,” she muttered.
Carver moved to wrap an arm around her shoulders. “It was his choice.”
“No,” she whispered. “It wasn’t just his choice.”
And yet, Berron had made the decision for himself and Carina.
Elowen made a clear effort to shrug off the melancholy as they continued down the street. Ford chatted with her, with Ivan mostly listening in.
Amryn drifted to walk beside Carver. “Who was she to Berron?” she asked, her voice low.
Carver could only imagine what she’d felt between them all just now.
“Carina grew up with us,” he explained. “We were all friends, but she and Berron always had a special bond. They were inseparable, and they only became closer as they got older. My mother was especially thrilled. We all expected she’d become a Vincetti one day. ”
Amryn listened intently, her focus entirely on him. Perhaps it was strange to have this conversation in the middle of a crowded street, but there was a certain anonymity in being surrounded by strangers.
He exhaled a slow breath. “When her father became an ambassador, he had to move to Zagrev. Carina went with him, of course. She wasn’t able to visit often.”
“That’s when Berron started taking sonne,” Amryn guessed.
Carver nodded. “When everything came out about his addiction, Carina came to see him. It . . . didn’t go well.
” He would never forget the way Berron had roared at her.
How Carina had fled Berron’s room, tears streaming down her face.
“He said he never wanted to see her again.” As far as Carver knew, Carina had never returned to Westmont.
He told Amryn how Berron had reacted to seeing Carina at the emperor’s feast.
When he finished, Amryn shook her head. “My heart aches for both of them. I wish . . .” Her words trailed off, but those last two echoed in his mind. I wish.
Carver had never realized how sad those two words could be.
The dress shop was located near Market Square, one of the city’s largest and busiest quarters. Elowen shared that some of her favorite food vendors were there, and she insisted they explore the square after the fittings.
Ivan opened the door to the shop and Elowen led the way inside. Carver and Ivan exchanged a single look that would have gone on longer if Amryn hadn’t tugged Carver along.
Elowen was already greeting a tall, spindle-like woman who had silver woven through her dark hair.
Her sharp gaze was immediately drawn to Amryn.
“Your hair is absolute perfection,” she said, her Palarian accent thick.
“And your complexion! My, my . . . so many colors to experiment with. I have a rich green silk that would be utterly gorgeous on you.”
“Amryn would look fabulous in any shade of green, I think,” Elowen agreed. “But the gown we need right now must complement my brother’s formal Westmont uniform. Dark blue with accents of gold. And we need it in time for the emperor’s ball.”
“Sa ve!” Piera exclaimed in her native tongue. “You think I’m some sort of magician, Elowen Vincetti? Thinking I can create a masterpiece in four short weeks?”
Carver’s sister gave the woman an indulgent smile, her hands clasped before her in a subtle plea.
“Your skill is unmatched, Piera.” She pulled a face.
“Besides, you wouldn’t want to see Amryn—one of the emperor’s Chosen, mind you, let alone the wife of General Carver Vincetti—dressed in anything other than one of your works, would you? ”
Piera’s eyes darted to Amryn, sweeping over her hair. She made a disgruntled sound in her throat, then jabbed a finger at Elowen. “You’re a cruel girl. You know how to torture me.”
“So you’ll do it?” she asked brightly.
“Yes,” the woman bit out. “I will work a miracle for you.”
“Can you work two miracles?” Elowen asked, batting her eyelashes. “I need a dress, too.”
Piera threw up her hands. “Sa ve!”