Dividing Eden (Dividing Eden #1)(5)
“The wedding is in five weeks,” Carys said. “Surely you and your father will be in town. Will it not be too late in the season for you to go out on commission trips by then?” Goodman Marcus’s skills were often sought by lords and ladies throughout the strongholds of Eden, and Larkin, now equally skilled, accompanied him. Carys envied their closeness and their freedom to do as they wished without always having to be on their guard. But Goodman Marcus was careful to stay close to Garden City in the winter months. He was wise to do so. The Xhelozi, growing in number every year, were fierce, and winter was their hunting season.
Larkin smiled. “It is late in the season to travel for work, but not too late to travel to my new home.”
Everything inside Carys went still.
“New . . . home?”
Larkin looked down at her hands. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I met someone. His name is Zylan—a furrier whose family lives in Acetia in the shadow of the Citadel. And, well . . .” She looked up with a shy smile. “I’m betrothed.”
“Betrothed. You are moving away?” Other than Andreus, Larkin was her only true friend. And now she was going to Acetia—the district of Eden farthest from the palace’s orb—in order to get married and live a life of her own. A life with responsibilities she chose instead of ones pressed upon her through schemes or circumstances of birth. A life no longer filled with those thirsting for power.
“Is this what you wish to do?” Everything inside her churned. The candles and hearth fire flickered. “If your father is insisting you marry, I could intercede on your behalf. Explain that you are still young and wish to wait.”
“I’m four months older than you, Highness. Zylan is a good man. He said he knew the moment we met that we would wed. He cares for me.”
“Of course he does.” Carys blinked back the sting of tears. Crying was a weakness she couldn’t afford. Not even for a friend. “You are one of the best people I have ever met. He would not be worth marrying if he didn’t see that. When do you plan to wed?”
“On Winter Solstice. I will live with Zylan’s sister’s family until then. Father believes we should travel as soon as possible since the days are getting shorter. He says it will be good for Zylan and me to have several weeks to get to know each other better before the ceremony. I think he’s hoping I’ll change my mind so he doesn’t have to cook for himself.”
“But you won’t.” Once Larkin’s mind was made up, she rarely changed it. And once her steadfast heart was given, it never was taken back. She’d proven that time and again over the years.
Larkin placed a hand on Carys’s arm. “I know when you meet him you will understand why I have to go. You will love him, too.”
Perhaps. But Carys would also hate him for taking her friend.
She never wished anything so much as that she, too, could go to Acetia, at least to attend Larkin’s marriage. But it could never be. People would talk if Carys left the city. They’d realize how important Larkin was to her. Carys’s wedding gift to Larkin would have to be the gift of letting her go without the threat of the darkness following her. Maybe then Larkin could be free for the both of them.
“I shall hope for strong winds to guide your steps, but I will miss you dearly.” Carys wrapped her arms around her friend, wishing she could be happy. Instead, there was emptiness.
“If only you could be with me,” Larkin suggested with a laugh that didn’t cover her tears. “Think of the trouble we could cause.”
For a minute, Carys let herself think of it—of finally being able to be herself and use her skills without anyone passing judgment. What would it be like to finally do something she wanted to do without using schemes or deceit? Who would she be then?
More than anything she wanted to find out. Instead, she said, “I do not think the world is ready for the problems the two of us would create.”
Larkin gave her a wistful smile. “Well, maybe someday. You never know how the winds will blow, Your Highness.”
“Maybe,” she said, even though she did know.
Her lofty, much-admired life was right here in Garden City. As long as Andreus needed her to guard his secrets and keep them all from harm, someday would never be.
2
“Almost done,” Andreus announced as he shifted his weight.
He could feel the chief of the Masters of Light breathing behind him. While he wasn’t opposed to having someone’s hot breath on his neck, he’d much rather the person be encased by the scent of perfume and be wearing skirts instead of reeking of grease and sweat.
Soon, he told himself as he tightened his grip on the iron pliers in his ice-cold hand. He should have thought to wear gloves, but the sun had been warm earlier despite the chill of the wind. Now the wind had started to blow much stronger and Andreus was ready to find somewhere comfortable to get warm.
“The updates will be ready to test in one more turn,” he announced.
Yes. That did it. Still he gave the pliers one more try to make sure the bolt was tightened before dropping the tool to the ground and rising.
Brushing his hands on his pants, he turned and nodded to Master Triden, who had moved closer to the base of the windmill, next to the control levers. “Ready when you are, Master.”
Andreus leaned against the white battlements and pretended not to hold his breath as Master Triden threw the switch closing the electrical circuit Andreus had just upgraded. If he’d done everything right, the beacons on the wall should be shining already against the darkening night sky. If he hadn’t . . . his father would never let him hear the end of it.