Chapter 35
Amryn
Amryn sat on the carpeted floor in the corner of the Vincetti sitting room. Her skirt was spread on the floor around her, her legs tucked beneath the flowing material. The fireplace across the room burned lowly, giving off heat and flickering light.
“This one’s probably my favorite,” Fowler said, handing Amryn one of the bronze coins from the small box at his side. “Father brought it home from a trip to Sibet. It’s one of their old coins, from before they joined the empire.”
Joined the empire. It sounded so innocuous, especially said in Fowler’s young voice.
But Amryn only smiled in the face of the boy’s excitement. She studied the old coin, running the pad of her thumb across the worn grooves that depicted a wolf’s head. “It’s incredible,” she said.
The young boy beamed, flashing a dimple in his cheek. Even at ten years old that smile was devastating. Carver had probably looked just like that when he was a boy.
The Vincetti family somehow managed to be nothing like she’d expected, and yet also exactly what she’d expected.
Loud, warm, and brimming with love and laughter.
Dinner had been surprisingly comfortable.
The food was delicious, and while the conversation was a little more boisterous than she was used to, she’d laughed freely.
There was a peace in this home she hadn’t expected.
An acceptance she hadn’t dared hope for.
There was no doubt the Vincettis had claimed her.
In the spacious dining room, Fowler and Wren had immediately taken the two seats beside Amryn. Carver had protested at once. “What about me? Don’t I get to sit beside my own wife?”
“No,” Fowler said easily. “You’ve had her all this time already.”
“It wouldn’t be fair,” Wren agreed with a firm nod.
Carver had looked so petulant, Amryn had nearly laughed.
“They’ve got valid points,” Keene chimed in from across the table. “Besides, Carve, you might not get to sit by her at dinner, but tonight you’ll get to—”
“Keene Vincetti,” Alora interrupted sternly from across the room. “If you finish that sentence, I will have you scrubbing dishes until you’re old enough to retire from the military.”
Amryn’s cheeks had flamed, and Carver had sent her an apologetic look as laughter rippled through the room. But her husband was grinning, which sort of ruined the wordless apology.
Her lips had twitched as she shook her head. Her own family had become so fractured, she hadn’t experienced anything like this since she was a young child. She relished every moment of happiness, heedless of the passage of time. And she didn’t think she was the only one.
Darkness now filled the windows, but no one seemed to care.
They’d gathered in the large sitting room, except for Jayveh and her brothers, who had sought some privacy in the cozy library across the hall.
The love and relief Jayveh felt at being reunited with her brothers made Amryn’s heart swell.
The two boys had told Jayveh over dinner how wonderful their time in Westmont had been.
While they’d missed her, the last few months for them had been a grand adventure.
Jayveh was filled with gratitude as she’d thanked Cregon and Alora for protecting them so well.
Carver had left the sitting room with his parents a while ago.
Ford, Elowen, and Keene were playing a game of cards on the other side of the room.
Amryn was currently sitting on the floor between the youngest Vincetti children.
Wren and Fowler hadn’t left her side since dinner.
Wren had all sorts of questions about Ferradin—she’d read about the lochs and mountains, but she wanted to hear Amryn describe them.
Fowler mostly wanted to tell her about his favorite things and show her some of his treasures—thus, the box of coins in his hands.
He’d also introduced her to his energetic dog, Cove.
The brown and white mutt had barked happily as he bounced between their feet, and when Amryn knelt, he was quick to leap onto her lap and lick at her face and petting hands.
Eventually the dog had calmed, and he was now curled on Amryn’s lap, dozing lightly.
Fowler took back the Sibeten coin, then dug through his beautifully carved box, sending bits of metal clinking loudly together. “I know I have an old Palarian coin in here somewhere—”
“Carver!” Wren’s excited voice made Amryn look up.
Carver stood nearby with one shoulder propped against the doorframe. His hands were in his pockets, a soft look on his face. She had no idea how long he’d been watching them. “Am I ever going to get my wife back?” he asked.
“No,” Wren said, grinning.
“She’s ours now,” Fowler added.
Carver huffed, but there was a faint smile on his lips as he moved to sit beside Amryn.
They didn’t touch, but he was close enough she could feel the warmth of his body.
He reached out to scratch behind Cove’s ears.
Since the dog was still in Amryn’s lap, that meant Carver leaned even closer to her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Fowler stopped rummaging in his box to look up at his older brother. “This one’s almost full. I’m going to need you to make a new one soon.”
Carver merely nodded.
Amryn blinked. “You made that?” she asked. The wooden box was intricately carved with ocean waves and palm fronds, polished to a beautiful shine. It was carefully detailed and masterfully done.
Wren answered for him, her smile wide as she said, “Yes! Carver is a carver.”
Fowler snickered at the clearly familiar joke.
Carver’s lips twitched. He gently tugged a loose piece of Wren’s hair. “Clever, little bird,” he said dryly.
The twelve-year-old girl only beamed.
Amryn couldn’t stop staring at the carved box, then at the man seated on the floor beside her. “I had no idea you could do that. This is beautiful.”
Self-consciousness bloomed as Carver shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t do it much anymore.”
“He used to make me the best toys,” Fowler said. “He could just carve them out of a block of wood! The horses were my favorite.”
Carver gave his brother a smile, but an unexpected sorrow flickered inside him. Amryn had no idea why, but the feeling was chased away when Elowen’s voice carried across the room.
“Amryn and I are going to Market Street tomorrow.”
“We are?” Amryn asked, even as Carver said, “She is not.”
Elowen waved a flippant hand, barely looking up from her conversation with her parents. “I made the appointment the other day. I’m sure I told you, Amryn.”
She had no idea what Elowen was talking about.
“It’s too dangerous to be wandering the city,” Carver said.
“Wandering the city? Are we vagrants?” Elowen rolled her eyes. “We’re going to see Piera Denvoux. She’s the best dressmaker in the empire, and I only managed to get an appointment with her on such short notice because she adores me.”
Amryn’s brow furrowed. “A dressmaker?”
“Of course! You need something special for the emperor’s ball.” Elowen perked up. “Carver, you should wear your formal Westmont uniform. Amryn would look stunning with a matching deep blue. And the gold touches would be just perfect with her coloring.”
Carver let out a heavy sigh. “Elowen loves designing dresses.” It sounded more like a warning than an actual statement.
“There will be no debate about this,” Elowen told her brother firmly. “Amryn needs a new dress, since I’m certain her wardrobe in Esperance didn’t include something fit for a ball hosted by the emperor. You can insist on a full contingent of guards if you must, but we’re going to that appointment.”
Carver eyed Amryn, keeping his voice low so it remained between them as he asked, “Do you want to go?”
“You said it wouldn’t be safe.”
“I’d make sure you were safe.”
Those words slid over her, sinking beneath her skin. Cheeks heating, she bit her lip then said, “I think I’d like to get out of the palace again. I didn’t realize how much I needed that until today. And I’d like to spend some more time with your sister.”
“You say that now,” he muttered.
She lightly slapped his arm with the back of her hand.
He grinned. Then he took her completely off guard by leaning in and brushing a soft kiss against her lips.
Her eyes widened as he eased back. She felt eyes on them. Knew his family was watching. Her throat felt a little dry as she said, “That was a strange response to my hitting you.”
“When it comes to you, I think my first impulse will always be to kiss you.”
Her blush increased, heat scorching her face. Especially when Elowen called out, “Does that kiss mean you’ve convinced him, then?”
Carver’s dimple flashed as he gave Amryn a private grin.
“Let’s never tell her that you could convince me of anything,” he whispered.
“She’d be utterly merciless.” He turned to face his smirking sister as he said more loudly, “I don’t think a whole contingent of guards is necessary. Ford and I will be coming, though.”
Ford saluted without looking up from his cards.
“Fine,” Elowen said with a nod. “It should only take a couple of hours.”
Ford’s head snapped up at that. “To try on a dress?”
“It’s far more than that,” Elowen protested. “Piera is an artisan, and art takes time.”
Ford grumbled. Elowen might have responded, but Alora interjected.
“Goodness, it’s gotten late,” she said, peeking out the window. “It’s far past time we got to sleep.” Groans echoed from Fowler and Wren, but their mother would not be swayed. “I can’t sleep until you’re all settled, and I’m past ready for my bed. Say your goodnights, please.”
Wren and Fowler obediently bid Amryn and Carver goodnight, and the young boy scooped up the small dog from Amryn’s lap before trudging from the room.
Carver rose to his feet before helping her stand. The movement as he drew her up was fluid, his touch gentle but his strength undeniable. His rough skin was deliciously warm against her hand. His thumb traced a soft line. “Well, they officially love you more than they love me.”
“That’s not true.”
“It’s a little true.” His lips quirked. “I don’t blame them.”
She didn’t answer because they got swept up in the goodbyes as everyone moved into the entryway, where a couple of Jayveh’s bodyguards had stationed themselves.
Jayveh and her brothers emerged from the library. “I can’t thank you enough for taking such good care of them,” the princess said to Alora and Cregon.
“It was our pleasure, Your Highness,” Alora assured her, beaming at the two boys.
Jayveh pursed her lips. “I hate to ask for more, but can my brothers stay with you a little longer? There has been some danger at the palace, and I want to keep them away from that.”
“Of course,” Alora said at once. Concern lit in her, but her eyes flickered to the boys, and she clearly thought better of asking what the danger was.
“We want to stay with you, though,” Zavi, the youngest of the boys, said to his sister.
Kehv, the older of the two, looked more serious than his thirteen years as he said, “We can protect you now, Jayveh. General Vincetti and Keene have taught us a lot.”
Tenderness filled Jayveh as she viewed her brothers. “I’m sure they have. And I want you to be with me more than anything. But I need you to stay with the Vincettis a little longer. Please.”
The boys were reluctant, but they eventually nodded.
“You’re welcome to visit any time you’d like, Princess,” Alora said. “Treat this home as your own.”
“Thank you.” Emotion throbbed in Jayveh, too mixed to easily pull apart. But soul-deep gratitude was prominent.
Cregon would be remaining at the townhome with his wife tonight, but he still ducked outside to ensure the carriage was ready to take the rest of them back to the palace.
Alora embraced Amryn warmly. “It was so wonderful to meet you. I’m sorry we didn’t have much time to talk. Hopefully we can arrange another visit soon.”
“I’d like that,” Amryn told her, surprised to realize she meant it.
She moved aside so Carver could bid his mother goodnight. While they spoke softly, she followed the others outside.
Amryn was nearly to the bottom of the short staircase when she felt the unmistakable weight of eyes on her.
She glanced around. Light spilled from the townhouse’s windows and the open door, but she couldn’t see much of anything in the darkened yard or street.
More than that, she couldn’t feel anything.
No emotions that told her someone was there.
Yet, the sense that she was being watched was unshakeable.
Impulsively, she latched onto the power of the bloodstone and used it to dispel the emotions of those around her, letting them fade so she could sharpen her focus on the shadows.
Nothing malicious brushed against her, but .
. . Someone was there. She knew it, even if she couldn’t quite define how.
And all she felt from that presence was a stirring of .
. . curiosity? It was so faint, it was nearly impossible to identify.
“Amryn?”
She startled, breaking the fragile link she’d formed with that thin tendril of emotion.
Carver’s father stood at the base of the stairs, concern in his shadowed eyes. “Is something wrong?” he asked.
She forced a smile. “No. Sorry, I think I’m more tired than I realized.”
Cregon studied her carefully, and she sensed he didn’t fully believe her.
Then Carver was there. He exchanged a final goodbye with his father before they moved for the carriage.
As Amryn climbed inside, she tried to ignore the prickling unease that remained.