Thirty-one #2
‘Gods no. I miss them.’ Kayla sighed. ‘Devan’s been away trading for the last month, and Tire is too busy bedding every available lady in Rosedale to come home! He’s grown into such a rake…’
‘I didn’t know you had brothers?’ Ariadnne’s voice was curious.
‘Just the two, but they’re my world. I raised them when my Ma died.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Ariadnne said, but Kayla shook her head.
‘Don’t be. It was a long time ago.’
Ariadnne nodded, digesting, before her eyes glinted.
‘So… you and Josef?’
Kayla turned brick red and Nieve laughed.
‘Gods! Does everyone know?!’ Kayla exclaimed.
‘Even Melixanthe, I’m afraid.’ Ariadnne chuckled. ‘Not that she seems to mind.’
‘Well, that’s something at least.’ Kayla looked relieved.
‘Don’t flaunt it in her face, but I think you’re okay.’
Nieve was sure Ariadnne’s eyes flickered to her as she said that. She wondered what conversations involving her, if any, had been had between handler and dragon.
Ullieve appeared around the bend, a fair-sized market town with winding, cobbled streets, quaint thatched cottages and a tavern on every other corner.
The clang of a blacksmith filled the air, while along the streets, vendors advertised their wares.
Less pleasant was the pungent aroma of seafood, the town’s main produce, drifting in from the docks.
The three of them made their way up the busy high street.
On restdays the small town was always packed with people from the nearby hamlets and villages.
The shop fronts were full of flowers, baked goods and fabrics, the busy shoppers bustling through, browsing their wares.
A squat Earthling with a bushy beard and the characteristic grey skin that came from wielding earth magic thudded past, barging Kayla out his way as he headed straight to the bakers.
‘Watch it, friend,’ she grumbled. ‘It can’t be that important that you fill your belly.’
Nieve laughed and continued to meander along beside Ariadnne. Her mate had lost some of her relaxed air since stepping through the gates, her forehead creased as she scanned the crowds.
‘Are you alright?’ Nieve whispered as Kayla turned to admire a display of spun glass.
‘Of course.’ Ariadnne’s smile didn’t meet her eyes. She was keeping something back—or maybe looking for someone. Nieve frowned. Ariadnne’s violet gaze flicked back to Kayla and she shook her head.
‘I’m fine. I can’t talk about it now.’
She quieted as Kayla returned, and Nieve swallowed the frustration that they couldn’t share an uncensored word. She swore to find them a moment later to ensure Ariadnne wasn’t in trouble. The varanya’s agitation laced their bond even as she smoothed her features to take in the busy market.
A tall, willowy fae noticed Nieve pause to glance at the scarves she displayed.
‘A northern beauty such as yourself would suit these…’ she flattered, holding up some of her delicate blue and silver silks.
Ariadnne rumbled, the sound almost too low to hear.
Nieve glanced sideways to see Ariadnne eyeing the shopkeeper, distracted by the crowds no longer.
Instead, her lilac eyes darkened, her focus laser-sharp.
If Nieve’s jealousy was tricky, she could only imagine how fiery her dragon’s might be. She placed a hand on Ariadnne’s arm.
‘Easy…’ she whispered.
It was a scarf of forest green and gold that had caught Nieve’s attention, and towards this she stepped.
‘How much for this?’ She fingered the quality cloth.
‘Two silvers.’
‘I can give you one and two bronze.’
The vendor thought for a bit. She glanced at Ariadnne, whose violet eyes sparked.
‘No problem.’ She accepted the coins, handing her the scarf before quickly darting to the back of the stall. Nieve led Ariadnne away from the unfortunate vendor. Fortunately, Kayla had wandered on to look at some jewellery at the next stall, missing the whole event.
‘Jealous?’ Nieve teased.
‘How could I not be?’ Ariadnne murmured, and Nieve’s heart fluttered.
‘It’s okay. We’re newly mated. It’s normal.’ Nieve touched her hand. ‘This.’ She held out the scarf, ‘would look perfect on you… the green sets off your skin tone.’ She felt a little sheepish as she handed the scarf to Ariadnne, who took it slowly, eyes shining.
‘Thank you. No one’s bought me a gift before. Besides Melixanthe, that is.’
Nieve’s cheeks heated. ‘It’ll look beautiful on you.’
Ariadnne wrapped it around her neck and tucked the ends into her vest. She fingered the fabric.
‘I feel bad,’ Ariadnne said with a frown. ‘I can’t buy you anything in return.’
‘You don’t have to…’
‘But I want to, I’m just not permitted my own funds.’
‘What?’ Nieve looked at her, aghast. ‘You aren’t paid?’ Nausea rose at this new insult to her mate.
Ariadnne replied with a small shrug, as if she didn’t believe she was worth a salary.
Anger flared white-hot, the same anger that had been threatening to boil over each time Nieve witnessed a new injustice.
The way Ariadnne was watched, threatened and cajoled to be the person the Guild wanted her to be.
The way she’d been hurt… why didn’t she leave?
What could possibly so important in the varanyen accords?
‘I want more for you than this. I want more for us. Run away with me.’ The words slipped past her guard, and as Ariadnne’s eyes grew wide Nieve took her arm, unwilling to let her mate live another day this way. ‘Why don’t we leave? Now? Who could stop us?’
‘I can’t.’ Ariadnne’s face clouded.
Nieve shook her head. ‘Yes. You can. We can. Together.’
‘You don’t understand. The Council…’ Ariadnne bit her lip, looking away. Nieve’s heart twisted.
‘What do they hold over your kind? There must be something.’ Nieve pressed. ‘I can help.’
‘If they found out I’d told you they’d kill you.’ Ariadnne took Nieve’s hand. ‘Please. I just want to enjoy this day with you.’
Nieve grimaced in frustration, wanting to know the truth more than ever. ‘Does Melixanthe know? Is she part of why you stay?’
‘No. It’s the Council. They—'
Whatever Ariadnne had been about to say was cut off as Kayla returned. They stepped apart.
‘Oh Ariadnne, that’s lovely!’ Kayla exclaimed. ‘You’ve got a good eye.’
Ariadnne glanced at Nieve with a smile that cleaved her in two. She vowed to make Ariadnne see reason. There was a way out for them, even if she had to buy Ariadnne out of bondage.
They continued to wander the street towards the main square, a new tension tugging at Nieve’s chest. Music led them on towards a band who had struck up on the main stand, Kayla navigating them to seats outside a tavern while Nieve ordered them all a round of spiced ale.
Kayla regaled them with tales of previous lovers as they reclined in the sun.
Nieve forced herself to relax, to enjoy the time with her mate while she could, even if they couldn’t be alone.
Ariadnne nudged her under the table, sensing Nieve’s lingering unease, and Nieve glanced her way, sending her every reassurance.
She motioned to the waiter for another round, and with the burn of alcohol in her veins she allowed herself to laugh at Kayla’s stories—which had become decidedly bawdy.
Throughout, Nieve’s eyes remained glued to her mate, drinking in every line of her face. Time was slipping through her fingers, and she didn’t want to go back.