The Witch Queen's Mate by Jennifer Karter

Author:Jennifer Karter [Karter, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636792019
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2022-04-01T20:38:02+00:00

Chapter Ten

A Lack of Barriers

The room, Barra realized with delight, was a large and exquisite bedroom. In the far left corner was a bed, larger and plusher than Barra had ever imagined. Such an object was simply impossible for nomadic people. The far right corner held a wall-sized case of leatherbound manuscripts with glistening symbols on the edge as well as a large metal contraption that looked like two cauldrons stacked on top of each other with a hat that reached the ceiling. The center of the room was dominated by a thick wooden table set with silver dishes and utensils, as if at any moment a celebration for ten was about to be served. A couple of bottles and a small bowl of fruit sat in the center. On the far wall beneath a collection of intricately decorated swords sat another table with drawers covered in maps. Everything was draped in rich reds and brilliant golds over dark leather and wood, lit by dozens of candles that Barra guessed Daralan had ignited during the preceding celebration. The room smelled of warm wood, candle smoke, and fresh salt water.

In the last corner stood Silvi. Her arms were wrapped around her core while her eyes stared fixedly at the floor. She looked small without her furs and very vulnerable. As Barra took in the sight of the woman she had longed to see in less clothing, it wasn’t the swell of her chest, the shapeliness of her hips, the broadness of her shoulders, or the strength of her legs that Barra noticed. It was the quake of her knees, the way she seemed to be hiding herself, and the distance between them.

She was scared, Barra realized. But of what? Of being alone with Barra? Of being without her furs? Of the ship, or the darkness, or the decisions tomorrow would bring? There were many things to fear, but Silvi hadn’t been afraid before, so what had changed?

She doesn’t want me, Barra thought with a sinking feeling that made her want to cry. Whatever Silvi’s people had said to her in the standoff in the other cell had changed things. Barra had thought Silvi was hers, but she was theirs.

No, Barra insisted to herself, drawing up the feeling of Silvi’s lips against her palm and against the bruise on her upper chest. The emotion in those eyes had been real. Silvi wanted her and she wanted Silvi. So, what was she afraid of?

Barra’s eyes widened with understanding as she looked over Silvi’s stance once more. Sex, she thought, that’s why we hit a wall the other night, why she wouldn’t touch me intimately. She’s scared.

Much as the idea was entirely foreign to Barra, she supposed there was a logic to a Svekard woman fearing sex. The old stories were full of warnings about the Svekard proclivity for raping, murdering, and pillaging. Of course, that bred a society of people who viewed sex as an act of power and pain.

If only Barra could talk to Silvi and explain.

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