Elphame's Choice by Cast P. C

Author:Cast, P. C. [Cast, P. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance Speculative Fiction
ISBN: 9781426842603
Publisher: Luna
Published: 2004-01-01T07:00:00+00:00

18

“EL! THIS WAY.” Cuchulainn raised his hand, beckoning for his sister and the Huntress to join him near the entrance to the castle.

Chagrined to realize just how tired the relatively short walk had made her, Elphame forced a smile firmly on her face and straightened her shoulders. She stifled a grimace as her right shoulder reminded her that it was still far from healed. As she and Brighid approached her brother, Brenna emerged from the interior of the castle, wiping her hands on her blood-spattered apron. She caught sight of Elphame and Brighid and called an enthusiastic greeting, but she instantly changed from friend to concerned Healer when they were close enough for her to get a good look at her patient.

“How is the worker’s hand? I hope the injury wasn’t too severe,” Elphame asked Brenna.

“He will recover, but I believe he will rethink the impulse to wink at an attractive maid while he’s cutting logs.” She narrowed her eyes at Elphame, taking in her pale, drawn face. “I can see the surprise we planned for you comes none too soon,” she huffed. Ignoring her protests, she raised Elphame’s bodice and checked the dressing on her wound.

“Is she well? Should we call a chaise for her?” Cuchulainn asked, peering over Brenna’s shoulder.

“No, she doesn’t need a chaise!” Elphame snapped, pulling down her shirt and sending Brenna and her brother twin looks of annoyance. “She needs a bath, something besides broth to eat and some privacy.”

Brenna’s lips tilted in her endearing lopsided grin. “Then your surprise will be most welcome.”

“What surprise are you talking about?” Elphame said, trying not to grit her teeth. Honestly! The three of them were going to drive her mad. She just wanted a bath and dinner—and some time by herself to sort through her turbulent emotions.

“Come with us, sister-mine,” Cu said mysteriously. He looped an arm through hers and led her into the castle.

“Elphame! Good to see you up and about again, my Lady!”

El looked up at the voice coming from the newly rebuilt soldier’s walk just inside the main castle walls. She waved at the man, and searched through her memory for his name.

“Thank you, Brendan,” she called.

Then his voice was joined by many others, which she answered in kind, as she walked slowly through the gap in the inner wall and into the center of her castle, where she stopped in wonderment at the change five days had wrought.

The great heart of the castle looked newborn. The fountain was gurgling merrily. Someone had brought in huge ferns from the forest floor which had been potted in large clay containers and arranged in a curving pattern around the marble girl. Sconces newly attached to the walls and columns held torches that burned brightly, bringing light and warmth and a fire-colored pulse to the castle. The floor was spotless, smooth and soft, and now that it had been cleaned, the stone looked as if the weathering of more than a century had simply served to hone its beauty.

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