Page 71 of Wings of Ice and Steel

‘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.