Page 83 of Crewel (Crewel World 1)

Jost is toying with the buttons on my mantel when I return from dinner. Kicking off my heels, I wander over in front of it. He presses a button and the fire roars to life.

‘Seems to be fine,’ he says.

‘Silly me.’

‘Do you need anything else?’ he asks, raising his eyebrows.

That’s my cue. A second later, I’ve woven a new moment into the room. Before I can speak, I’m in his arms. I bury my face in his chest, unsure where to start.

‘I don’t—’

‘Shhh,’ he hushes me. Taking my chin in his hand, he draws my face up to his. With his lips moving against mine, everything fades away. My pulse quickens, and I wrap my arms around his neck. I could stay here for eternity.

He pulls back first and I sigh, the shimmering dome and the frozen room resurfacing around us, along with all the problems of the real world.

‘Enora,’ I begin.

‘She wasn’t at dinner,’ he says.

‘She’s been acting strange, and I think I know why.’

‘Because she’s . . .’

‘In love,’ I confess.

‘I know.’ Jost pauses. ‘She’s in love with another woman.’

I stare at him. Maybe Valery was right and everyone knew about them. Exactly how had I missed this?

‘Not much gets past the head valet,’ he says, reading my mind.

‘Does everyone know?’ I ask a bit too sourly.

‘They probably do now. It was a rumour for a long time,’ he says, pulling me down to the floor. ‘Not the first time. Spinst

ers don’t exactly fall out of trees. The Guild is willing to overlook some things if a girl has the skill.’

‘So why the sudden interest?’

He pauses for a moment, not meeting my eyes. ‘Honestly, more attention has been on her lately.’

‘Because of me.’ It stings, but I know he’s right.

‘And with the new remapping tech—’

‘She didn’t stand a chance,’ I finish his thought, and just then something horrible occurs to me. ‘Do you think Pryana will report Valery for what she saw?’

‘I don’t know,’ he says, heaving a sigh. ‘It’s possible, and Valery doesn’t have the protection afforded a Spinster.’

‘Why do they even care?’ I groan. ‘She can’t be the only one sneaking around. I mean, look at us.’

Jost laughs as though I’ve said something insanely funny. Is that what he thinks about us? That we’re a big joke? I don’t know if I should hit him or cry.

‘What?’ I ask, trying to look defiant and hoping my blush isn’t too noticeable.

‘Of course they care, Adelice. What if women married other women? Or if men married other men?’

In a split second, I transition from relief to embarrassment. Of course he meant them. But then something stirs in my chest, and I remember how Valery yelled at me. ‘There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s not hurting anyone.’