Page 32 of Wings of Ice and Steel

‘There are some things that shouldn’t need to be spelled out, such as when a lady is not receptive of your advances.’

Nieve took Ariadnne’s hand, Lord D’avant’s eyes following the motion. The thrum of his power mounted.

‘Where did you say you were from?’ he asked quietly, eyes narrowing as he stared at Nieve’s face. ‘You look like someone… any chance you are a relation to—’

‘No,’ Nieve said bluntly.

The crowd around them quieted as people took notice of their standoff. Melixanthe appeared, face paling as she took in the tableau. Lord D’avant’s bruised pride was replaced by something more sinister as he stared again at Nieve, who looked away.

‘Ariadnne,’ Melixanthe barked. ‘It is high time you were in bed. I suggest you go to your room.’ Her eyes were firm. She would not take no for an answer. Ariadnne turned to leave, and Nieve turned with her.

‘No, Rook will take you.’ Melixanthe said, and Ariadnne’s nostrils flared at the tone. Her anger was replaced by fear as she wondered what Melixanthe had seen, and why she didn’t trust Nieve to take her.

*

Ariadnne flopped onto her four-poster bed. What an evening. First, she’d kissed Nieve, who’d kissed her back. Then, they had all but faced off with the High Lord of Eradiata. All after fighting a war.

Exhausted, Ariadnne debated if she was too tired to take off her armour, but in the end decided that sleeping in it would be worse. With a groan, she forced herself to sit and unbuckle the heavy plates, wincing as the movement tugged on her stitches. Not for the first time, she wished the Healers magic could do more than speed her natural healing. At least she should be mostly healed by morning, with a few new scars to add to her collection.

She let the armour drop to the floor, each piece clanging against the tiles. When she was down to her tunic, she lay back and stared at the high beams of the ceiling. Moonlight streamed in through the open window, casting stark shadows on the walls of the minimal chamber. With nothing else to distract her, Ariadnne found her mind drifting. She closed her eyes and there was Nieve rescuing her from Lord D’avant’s attentions, moving to defend Ariadnne without thought. When was the last time anybody had done that for her?

She allowed herself to get lost in thoughts of the upward tilt of Nieve’s eyes, the constellation of freckles on her right cheek, the taste of her lips—honey and pine and frozen lakes.

She couldn’t let the idea of her go.

But she should.

Yes, Nieve might now be part of her company, and once home, they would train alongside one another—but Ariadnne wanted more than a fleeting touch or glance.

That would almost be worse than never seeing her again.

Almost.

There was a quiet knock at the door. Ariadnne’s heart leapt, hopeful.

‘Come in.’ She sat on the bed, her heart thudding expectantly.

It was Melixanthe who entered.

Her brows rose as she took in Ariadnne’s expression. ‘If I didn’t already suspect you were hoping for someone else, your disappointment confirms it,’ she said with a wry smile. ‘I came to check on you after D’avant... Are you okay?’

Ariadnne screwed her nose, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

‘Yes. No. There’s no lasting harm, at least. I hope D’avant’s pride isn’t too bruised?’

‘He’s been suitably placated for now.’ Melixanthe snorted. ‘So do you want to tell me who you were hoping would walk through that door?’

Ariadnne feigned confusion as Melixanthe perched next to her.

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Ariadnne, I’m not blind. I can see your interest in the new knight.’ She took Ariadnne’s hand. ‘It might have been a mistake to send you two off together. I’ve put her on guard duty tonight. I thought it was probably best until things cool off a little. Blood always runs hot after a battle.’

Ariadnne tried to take her hand back; this was exactly the conversation she didn’t want to have with her handler, but Melixanthe’s grip was firm.

‘Listen, I can look the other way to a degree if you need to get something out of your system. Gods know, I’d hate to deny you your comforts. I know you’re young. The Guild can be lonely at times. But please don’t let it go too far.’ Her pause was heavy. ‘I don’t want it to be a mistake that I’ve taken her on—I’ve tried to protect you before, but you’re older now. Believe me, it won’t end well if you fall for her.’ Her expression was almost pained, and a hand went to the pendant at her neck to fiddle with the carved stone. With a sigh she released Ariadnne’s hand.

‘Anyway, we have a long flight back tomorrow, so you do need to rest. Good night, Ariadnne.’ She rose, making her way back out of the room and leaving Ariadnne alone. As she always was.