Page 60 of Keeper of the Word

“My life is bound to the stars.” The answer was so automatic, so void of emotion, that Elanna’s chest suddenly stung again.

“Cannot there be room in life for pastimes outside the stars?”

“Not for a StarSeer.”

“Why?” Hux’s dark eyes reminded her of a night of the Nay Moon. Without meaning to do so, she glanced at his lips.

“Do you believe in the goddesses of the moon, Hux?” She ignored how his smile inched deeper. It was not the first time she’d said his name, but it rolled off her tongue differently. Stars, had the night air grown mild?

“Of course, Lady.”

She nodded. A heathen from Deogol, mayhap. But mayhap not. “The goddesses are providers. Protectors. But as Deogol abandoned them more and more, they forfeited their power of guidance and shielding of your land. But the StarSeers are the Light of the stars incarnate. The Five are essential to the Capella Realm’s Light.”

“’Tis an enormous amount of pressure placed upon you.”

Elanna had never considered that. “I was born blessed. Any pressure bestowed upon me is ordained and accepted with reverence.”

“Yet you are still a woman.”

Distant giggling broke their conversation. The couple exited the labyrinth. Elanna’s cheeks warmed.

But she composed herself. “My role as StarSeer is more essential than anything else.”

Hux nodded. “I think I understand. But, in the meantime, while you wait for the prince’s and your destiny, why not enjoy a few moments’ freedom?”

“Such as?”

“Such as,” he paused, his eyes playfully alight. “On the morrow, accompany me—and Joss and Barrett, of course—on a ride?”

“Where is Barrett?” Elanna asked, suddenly very aware that she and Hux, too, were paired together in the garden.

“He went to relieve himself. He’ll return. But as I can count the number of Sidra guards surrounding the garden—eleven all together—I feel you’re quite safe here with me.”

Her eyes flitted to his lips again. What was she doing?

Elanna stood. “Very well. I do ride regularly in Ashwin, so ’tis not as if I cannot spend an hour or so riding. Rasa does need the exercise, of course. But after I spend the morning in prayer. And it must be a short ride. I shall need to return for midday prayers. But…” She bit her lip. Stars, she was rambling. “It does sound pleasant. Tomorrow. Aye, on the morrow, we’ll ride.”

Hux inclined his head. “Marvelous.”

Chapter

Twenty-Three

ELANNA

The following week fell into a pleasant routine. The four broke their fast together in the Crown Hall when Elanna awoke in the late morning. Then she took in morning prayer before they enjoyed a leisurely ride through Asalle’s countryside—an escort of a dozen Sidra knights trailing behind—after which the three stood guard outside the Delara while Elanna knelt again in midday prayer. Evenings found them in the queen’s garden, walking and talking and even, at times, laughing. At first, Joss carried the solemn air of her earl, but even she relaxed, falling into hushed conversation with Barrett at times. Hux was like the breeze on an early summer day.

Some middays, before returning to the castle and the duty of prayer, they’d spread a small picnic of stellaberries, honeycakes, and egg pies. Hux told Deogolian folktales of a group of lovable bandits who practiced robbing nobility to give wealth to the downtrodden. His stories of mishaps and vivid characters almost seemed like they carried a bit of truth to them. At other times, he’d sing. Elanna found his voice to be rich and refined. He even learned a Lenforese ballad about the StarSeers, though he’d altered some lyrics to allude to a certain golden-haired Seer of stars. Elanna’scheeks warmed, and she’d turned to suffer Joss’s reaction, but the dame was occupied speaking with Barrett.

’Twas after a week that Hux broached Elanna about taking an excursion into Asalle.

“Tomorrow is the last day of the Mead Moon Festival in the west borough. Nearest to the castle. You can experience what ’tis like to be amongst people.”

Before Elanna could reply, Joss interjected, “Most certainly not, Hux. Lord Tolvar would ne’er approve of this.”

Hux ignored her. “What do you say, Lady?”

Elanna had ne’er experienced anything resembling a festival. She bit her lip.