Trouble by R.J. Price

Author:R.J. Price
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love, fantasy, warrior, romantic, fantasy series, fantasy romance, series, romance fantasy, fantasy magic, fantasy adult, romance adult, magic queen, fantasy debut, magic stone, fantasy destiny, first publication, magic abilities, fantasy book 1, series of magic, seat of magic
Publisher: R.J. Price

Chapter Nineteen

Mar winced at the sight of Aren.

“At least you aren't in chains,” Mar tried to offer helpfully. “Lord Av is even allowing you to participate in my mating ceremony.”

Aren huffed out a breath. “But then I'm his, he says. Whatever that means. And the whole court will see this.” She motioned to the bruising on her cheek, caused by Av's slapping her. It went well with the bruising across the bridge of her nose and forehead, which was obtained when she ran straight into the wall of the cave. The court was talking about either one bruise, as Av actually striking a lady, or the other, as Aren stopping a madman. In the latter case many were wondering the details of said bruising. Some few thought Aren had stopped Lord Worl with her face, an idea that made Mar giggle at the mere motion to the bruise.

The scathing look Aren gave Mar didn't stop the giggle, but spurred it on. Aren knew exactly what Mar was giggling at, and might have found it funny on any other day.

“You did give him a lump on the back of his head. He was walking funny at breakfast this morning, like he was drunk. Lord Jer assured me he was not, that it was a balance problem, and sometimes head-blows can do that.” Mar tried to smile, then made a face. “I can't believe my mother doesn't suspect a thing.”

“I'm good at hiding it,” Aren said.

“I can't believe the whole court doesn't know,” Mar said, shaking a finger at Aren. “After what you did at the ball with Lord Av. Everyone else is just too focused on my mother. Or me. The servants knew all along, which was a surprise, let me tell you. Means Lady Telm knows, and she's sworn to the throne. I'm surprised Telm hasn't told my mother.”

“Lord Av didn't notice anything,” Aren muttered glumly. “Not until he had to get stupid and kiss me. Never kissing a man ever again. No matter how good it felt.”

“No, Lord Av did notice; ever since I arrived at court he's been chasing you like a dog with a bone. I don't think he could sort his own feelings out of the nagging that the woman he wants keeps secrets from him,” Mar said, reaching out to touch Aren's cheek, stopping herself at the last moment. “Does it hurt a good deal?”

“Yes, and the healer said that if anyone but Lord Av had done it she would help me be rid of it, but Av's got his fingers in just about everything, hasn't he?” Aren muttered. She was silent a moment, then sighed loudly. “I'm sorry, Mar, this is your day. It is about you. I'm so wound up in my own problems.”

“Today was supposed to be your day of freedom,” Mar said, smiling weakly. “But instead you're exchanging one cage for another. Sort of amusing, if you think about it, because so am I.”

Aren didn't laugh with Mar; instead she sat in silence, watching her friend for any sign of an actual jest.

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