Page 10 of Antiletum (The Nocturne #1)
Brow raised at him, Val ignores me, still as a statue, waiting for it to fly off. When it does, Val turns back to me. “I’m sure you’ve been told to never have a conversation you don’t want heard or repeated in front of an animal.”
I laugh. “You’re superstitious.”
“If that’s what you want to call it, sure.”
“Shifters haven’t been around since before the Nocturne laid to rest. Hundreds of years.” Just another tally in the margins of my questions. “Okay, enough with being cryptic, Val. Get to the point that you’re obviously trying to make.”
“I do adore your tenacity.” That bright smile flashes. Dangerous and sinful. “Once upon a time, everyone was able to choose their own spouse. Not just the rabble.” The way Val’s voice drops at the word rabble sends a shiver down my spine. As if it’s personal.
Parliament only sanctions marriages within the nobility and more powerful bloodlines, leaving the lesser status populations to marry at will.
They use plain silver wedding bands that don’t bind magic.
I’m inclined to admit that it seems quite the privilege, despite the fact that a sanctioned marriage is supposed to be a status symbol and increases a paired couple’s power when used together.
“Yes, once placed, a vinculum band has never been able to be removed. It keeps both spouses from being unfaithful, unless one wants to lose a finger during a long, slow trek to certain death. It was used as a romantic symbol in that nothing could shake that love and devotion, not even death. But vinculum hasn’t always bound one’s magic to another’s,” Val continues with an increasing shot of malice not at all directed towards me.
There’s the disgust in regards to being bound.
“That’s only been since Parliament came to be.
Constructing their Ellden clocks and sullying the sacred metal.
How else do you think the Ellden clocks track when balance has been upended?
It’s because the hands are made of vinculum .
We’re bound to each other. We’re bound to the clocks. ”
That push and pull wars within me. The tug of my heart in too many directions. Too much falling upon me to add to my culture shock.
“You’re toying with me.” I don’t at all care for the way I sound. Naive. Unsure.
“I would never do that, Delaney.” The look Val gives me, serious but kind, holds no condescension, none in the slightest. Only care. “I only want you to understand.”
As I’m mulling over his words, what they may mean, if they hold even a scrap of truth, the night of our wedding washes over me.
A particular detail that I haven’t allowed myself to think on too deeply, given the implications and how terrifying they are.
A detail that has helped me hold onto my suspicions of my husband after Rainah came to me, despite the draw I have to him, courtesy of the aforementioned mating for life.
Despite my wanting to believe that maybe it wasn’t intentional since everyone who knew I was a necromancer before my wedding is dead and gone. Other than Tabitha.
“Don’t think for a moment,” I say, “that I didn’t notice that the flare of our joined necromancy at our wedding brought the Noctua Heartstone back to life.
” I scarcely believe I allowed myself to finally admit it out loud.
Far too frightened of what might come from such an act, I didn’t even tell Tabitha.
Afraid of how good, how right , it felt when it happened. When my husband learned exactly what I can do. What we can do together. Afraid of Parliament finally learning the secret that my family held so dear .
With a scowl, he replies, “I would never dream of insulting your intelligence or awareness in such a grievous way.” Val sounds insulted. Completely incensed that I thought he would underestimate me so.
“And you think Parliament won’t have something to say about this?”
“Oh, they absolutely will. But we are only to be blamed so much. They sanctioned our union.” Val gives me a smug grin. “Your parents were the ones who lied about you being a grower at your showing and made your magic a secret.”
“But I knew what I am. What you are. Necromancers.” My stomach would probably heave its contents on the floor if I tried to add anything more to it right now.
Though I hadn’t met Val before that night in the Strigi Forest, I’d certainly heard of him. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued by another necromancer, and one using it so openly. Being admired despite his gift that calls to death. Or maybe because of it.
“You are not accustomed to the intricate true inner workings of court or Parliament. Everyone knows you were kept separate from that life despite what Rainah’s fate was to be as future Lady.
You were also blindsided with an unexpected marriage in the midst of losing your home and your family.
In the midst of your grief. You will be blamed for nothing, Delaney.
” Val’s stare is so serious it makes my heart hurl into my throat.
“You are entirely innocent, and as I have already told you, I will do anything and everything to ensure that is never, ever questioned. Not by Parliament. Not by anyone.”
Trembles begin to wrack through my body. I think I’m on the verge of a breakdown. One he would undoubtedly comfort me through.
In an attempt to gain some semblance of control in the situation, in myself, I say, “How very strange that two necromancers who were never meant to be in our position have ended up here regardless. ”
“Is it strange?” Val asks before taking a small sip of his coffee, giving me a questioning stare. “Some might call it destiny.”
A cold, trickling sensation works its way down my back.
“Is all of this supposed to be helping me to trust you more?” I ask, having a hard time swallowing everything he’s saying.
A brief glimmer of what could possibly be insecurity flashes over his face.
Before I can pick that apart, Val stands, his chair legs screeching across the floor.
He rounds the table, bends down with his cheek against mine and whispers darkly against the three diamonds he reverently placed in my ear, “Oh, Delaney, I never argued that you should.”
He then places the gentlest of kisses against my cheek, his lips full, soft, and warm.
Before I can react or respond, he’s leaving my room, calling to me without turning back, “We are going to the city tomorrow.”
Val stops at the door, that hand lost in his pocket. The outline of his fist clearly grips whatever is inside, that gesture again not failing to pique my curiosity. Really, I very much want to know what he grasps for with such desperation.
Turning fully to me, he says, “I will warn you only once, Delaney. I am a persistent man with no qualms about doing what’s necessary to make what I want happen. We will resume our daily breakfasts when we reach The Citadel.”
And then he’s gone, leaving me reeling.