Solace Arisen by Anna Steffl

Author:Anna Steffl [Steffl, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-9911587-4-4
Publisher: evenSO Press, LLC
Published: 2014-01-10T17:46:00+00:00

“I don’t see why you’re leaving just as you’ve gotten here,” said Mrs. Karlkin, as she came to Arvana’s side. She carried a blue silk-covered case with a pair of gloves atop it. Her usual smile was absent. “I found these gloves for you,” she said and laid the gloves beside the coat. Amazingly supple and soft-looking, they had to be kid leather. She handed Arvana the silk-covered box. Inside was a gold ring set with a green gem and collar-style double-strand pearl necklace with a pendant that matched the ring.

“Lord Degarius asked me to give these to you to wear so you look like a lady,” Mrs. Karlkin said of the jewels. There was an apologetic tone in her voice, as if she regretted having to fulfill her master’s bidding.

Arvana knew full well why he hadn’t given them himself, had sent the jewels with Mrs. Karlkin. He didn’t want her to mistake the gesture. Of course, he’d sent them as a matter of necessity. They were to be brother and sister traveling to the Winter Solemnity. With a handsome coach and fine clothes, he was obviously a man of great means. It would appear strange if she didn’t exhibit the same degree of wealth. And what wealth! The pearls alone were expensive, and if the gems were emeralds it would be worth a fortune. She held up the necklace. “Are the gems real?”

“I’m certain they are.”

Necessity or not, thinking aloud, Arvana said, “I’d rather not wear them.” They were a sad reminder of Lina’s fate and the trap of vanity.

Mrs. Karlkin put a hand to her breast and bowed. “Beg pardon, I understand none of this. I’m only doing as ordered. He’s my master.”

“Yes, forgive me.” It was wrong to put Mrs. Karlkin, who’d been nothing but kindness, in the middle of their bitterness. Arvana brought the ends of the necklace to the back of her neck and fidgeted with the clasp. It was tricky, wouldn’t close properly.

“Let me help,” Mrs. Karlkin said.

Arvana gave over the necklace and held up her hair so Mrs. Karlkin could fasten it. The Blue Eye gazed up from between her breasts—the housekeeper was removing it. Arvana cupped her hand over the locket. “I must leave it on.”

“But it spoils the look.”

“I know, but it’s a personal heirloom. I always wear it.”

The response satisfied the housekeeper. “Does the ring fit?”

Arvana took it, glanced between her hands, and then despised herself for even a second of indecision. She was to wear it on her right hand, not on the hand closest to her heart, the hand on which she’d worn the Solacian silver novitiate’s ring. With a slight twist at her knuckle, it was on, but it felt odd, as did the necklace. The finery, like the revealing dress, didn’t belong on her. She was like a little girl secretly trying on her mother’s things. Not her mother’s things. Her mother never had anything remotely as elegant—not even that coat with the velvet collar. Arvana took Lina’s fur hat.

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