Chapter 24: Aids and Confessions

The House of Vagamor; South of the Realm

Orvyn's POV

"What!" Her eyes bulged with expected shock. "I can't come down with you. Leave me here in my room." She faced the window, fumbling with her fingers.

"That's the only way the elders will listen to me. If you tell them yourself, they might take your word for it."

"Might, Orvyn. Might" she emphasized, turning to face me, exasperated and afraid. "As far as this goes, it's not a good plan. You can't bring me to the courtyard to convince your elders. I'm fine right here."

I closed up the distance between us in gentle strides, pulling her closer by the waist. I'd almost forgotten how beautiful she was in the yellow cote she was putting on, with her auburn hair rolling down her shoulders in wild waves. I combed my fingers through her hair, parting the curly ends, awestruck at the silken texture.

I trailed my fingers to the slope of her oiled neck, wafting in the smell of pressed olive oil on her skin. She shivered under my touch, closing h