Page 90 of Homeward for a Spell

“I suppose there’s a part of my past I ought to make peace with too,” Sage concedes.

Araphi presses her face into the crook of Sage’s neck, sighing happily, and the breath across Sage’s collarbone sends a pleasant shiver down her spine. “Shall we return to the barracks, then, and get a good night’s sleep before our days of travel begin?” Araphi asks.

“Oh, we aren’t sleeping in the barracks.” Sage lifts Araphi’s face with a finger beneath her chin, and kisses her deeply, then whispers, “We are absolutely claiming the tent.”

34

Araphi

Three Days Later

Denby Oreborn sits alone in his office in the Copper Court, smoking a pipe and staring at the river that flows past his window. Piles of papers, scrolls, and complicated mechanical drawings litter his desk. Araphi had never visited him at work—frankly she’s surprised to see him working, as he’d always seemed better at spending his father’s money than earning it—but that’s where she’d been directed when she’d inquired after him at his father’s house. He looks more relaxed than she’s ever seen him too. Perhaps he likes working and being shut up inside all day. Perhaps to Denby, this office with its ore charts and mine cart drawings is as exciting as Araphi’s songs and the open road.

Araphi will likely never know, nor will she ask. She’s here to do one thing only. She takes a deep breath and runs through her speech in her head again.

I’m very sorry, Denby, but I have to break our engagement. We’re not a good fit, and besides, I love someone else. I’m leaving for my own adventures, however, so you won’t have to see me around the city or at parties.

She’s practiced this speech a dozen times on the way over, but still, her nerves are shaky.

You’ve literally faced down family devils, wild beasts, and armed fighters; you can break off your engagement. You’ve always been braver than you think, and I love you for it.

Sage’s words lift Araphi’s spirits, as does the memory of Sage kissing her goodbye this morning right after she said them.

Time to get this over with.

“Hello, Denby,” Araphi says, stepping up to his desk. In her bearing is every etiquette lesson she’s ever had, coupled with the confidence that months on the road have taught her.

Denby looks up, surprise making him frown. “Oh. Araphi! There you are. Did you enjoy your shopping?”

Araphi’s mouth opens and closes. “My…shopping?”

“Yes, that’s what you were off doing, weren’t you? Something for the wedding?” Denby makes a vague gesture with his pipe.

Araphi fights the urge to draw her dagger. “I’ve been gone four months,” she grinds out.

“Has it really been that long?” Denby shrugs, his broad shoulders slumping a bit. “One loses track when there’s so much business to be done. As we say, to be Oreborn is to be always busy in the mines. Or in my case, behind a desk mostly—not that I’m complaining.” He shuffles some of the papers on his desk and makes a satisfied noise.

Araphi fights a cringe, instead walking over to the window. It occurs to her that this is the first time she’s ever been alone with Denby Oreborn.

“I wasn’t shopping that whole time, you know.”

Denby slides her a glance, and behind his usual dull, glazed look, a bit of keen amusement sparkles. “Really? Took in some sights, then? A bit of a hot-spring vacation?”

Araphi holds back a snort. “I did, in fact, enjoy a hot spring.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I’d love to hear more, but I’m quite busy this morning. Is there something I can help you with? I’m sure we’ll see each other soon enough at a party, or our wedding, of course.”

What a way to woo his supposed fiancée. Araphi is unspeakably glad she’s breaking this engagement off for so many reasons—not the least of which being Denby bores her to no end.

“There is something we need to discuss, in fact, having to do with our wedding. Or rather, the lack thereof.”

Denby blinks up at her. “I…don’t understand.”

“There’s not much to understand. We can’t get married.”

“Oh, is that all?” Denby draws on his pipe and shrugs. His eyes dart toward the papers on his desk, as if he’d rather be talking to them than Araphi.

Araphi’s mouth falls open. She struggles to find the right words to break off a potential lifetime with this absolute stranger. She barrels on: “I don’t have an engagement ring to return to you, but my family can certainly compensate you for the loss if you—”