Beneath a Stone Sky: The Third Book of Binding (The Books of Binding 3) by A. E. Lowan

Author:A. E. Lowan [Lowan, A. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Phoenix Quill Books
Published: 2021-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Etienne was starting to really miss his comfortable flannel shirts and jeans.

Dwarven court fashion was currently running to stiff brocades and leathers, and the tailor who had thrown these together had provided no exception. Nothing like the soft, flowing styles popular among many of the sidhe. He twisted, feeling the brocade and leather doublet pull against his movements. At least it wasn’t too restrictive. If he got into a fight, his movements would not be hampered. He did leave the frog clasp at his throat undone, though. Maybe he could still be a trendsetter, as Jessie had put it.

He stopped at the door, listening to Cian moving around in the common room outside, and let out a sigh. He’d have to face the boy eventually. Couldn’t hide in here all day. He opened the bedroom door and stepped out.

Cian stood by the fire, resplendent in greens and blues that brought out his green eyes and set off his rose gold hair. He looked up and gave Etienne a smile, followed by a drop of his gaze to Etienne’s collar. “You left one undone.”

Etienne grunted. “Trying to be… what’s that English phrase? Fashion-something.”

“Fashion forward?”

“That’s it.”

Cian let out a soft laugh and approached him. “You’re not there, yet. Better to play it safe.” He reached out and fastened the frog, his hands smelling of spicy dwarven soap and that sweetness that was Cian. Etienne felt his skin tingle pleasantly and his blood rush away from his brain, and he stiffened his spine to keep from leaning in for more.

Cian noticed and his green eyes dilated. Merde. But he stepped back a pace and gave Etienne a frown. “You’re going to have to talk to me eventually.”

Etienne dropped his gaze to the fire. “Yes. But not now. They’re going to come get us for the coronation any minute.” It would be a welcome respite from these rooms. Aside from their audience with Ráthulfr, they hadn’t been allowed out since they had arrived.

Frustration colored Cian’s golden cheeks, but he nodded. “Later, then.”

“Later.”

There was a knock at the door.

Etienne snapped his head up. It was time. “I’ve never been to a dwarven coronation. Should be interesting.”

Cian brushed his hands over his doublet and checked his hair. “I’ve never been to any coronation, anywhere.”

Etienne moved across the room as the door lock disengaged. “I’ve been to one, as a boy. The crowning itself I remember was pretty boring. But that was for a sidhe. Dwarves are different. More substance than style.” He opened the door and gave the retainer there a polite nod. “Are we ready?”

The retainer gave Etienne a short bow, not quite deep enough for Etienne’s station, which was fine. Let her be resentful. He was more knight than prince, anyway. “If you will come with me, I will escort you to the coronation.”

Cian followed Etienne out of the rooms and down the hallway, and from there outside the palace where a trio of riding bears waited. Etienne looked up to see that

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