Golem by Jennifer Allis Provost

Author:Jennifer Allis Provost [Jennifer Allis Provost]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bellatrix Press
Published: 2022-06-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Finlay entered the royal chamber, smiling when he saw Asherah seated at her map table. She’d been more herself of late, behaving like Parthalan’s queen instead of a sickly woman dependent on Mallia’s herbs. He wondered if that was due to her realizing she knew Aeolmar’s parents, and remembered what her life was like before the burden of ruling became too much.

Finlay cleared his throat. Asherah glanced up, and said, “Waiting to be announced, my lord?”

“A trumpeter would be nice.” He sat next to his mate, brought her hand to his mouth, and kissed her knuckles. “What’s that?” he asked, indicating a bundle of herbs on the corner of the desk.

“Oh, that.” Asherah fingered the ribbon that bound the bundle. “Mallia brought it by earlier. She said if I toss it into the fire, it will release a calming scent. She claims it’s similar to the incense used in the temple on feast days.”

“And she thinks you need calming?”

“Apparently so.” Asherah tugged on the ribbon. “She means well, Mallia does. It’s not her fault I used more of the dreamwort than necessary. She was only trying to help me.”

“Sher.” Finlay squeezed her hand. “If you need the herbs—”

“I don’t. Not anymore.” She pushed the bundle to the far end of the table and drew her map closer. “Will the Raelian envoy be here soon?”

“That’s what I came to tell you. They sent a herald on ahead, and he’s advised they will be here before the elder sun goes to rest.”

“Good, good.” Asherah leaned closer to the map. Finlay did as well, and saw it depicted the border between Rael and Tingu, and their shared border with the Northern Waste.

“Wondering what’s happening up there?”

“Wondering how we’ll survive whatever’s up there. Wondering if Leran’s all right.”

“If anyone can deal with the Northern Waste, it’s him.”

Asherah leaned against Finlay’s shoulder. “You’re right. And I need to ready myself to greet our guests.”

Asherah stood and rolled up her map and moved to replace it with the rest; as an afterthought, she grabbed the bundle of herbs and set it above the hearth. She then set the map in its place, turned to face Finlay, and collapsed.

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