The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(27)

Collier did not look chagrined. He folded his arms and put one boot up on the railing next to her. “I do not recall you confessing who you were either. I hope you do not regret that I took the liberty of dancing with you at the Gables?”

Maia smiled with pleasure and shook her head. The sinking sun made the shadows lengthen. She needed to cross the Apse Veil back to Muirwood to get some rest. Unfortunately, Collier was not yet a maston and could not travel there with her.

“You look bone weary,” he murmured softly. “The noise from this fish Leering is going to lull you to sleep.”

She started to rise, but he reached out and took her hand, helping to draw her up. She nestled against his chest, drawing her arms around him tightly. She felt his hands gently smooth her hair.

“I wish I did not have to go,” she murmured.

“I wish I could go with you,” he said darkly. “Soon, my love. Once the Paeizians are subdued, I will do my best to pass the maston test quickly. One cannot rush the Medium, I believe, but if it is at all possible, I will try.”

She lifted her gaze up to his face, saw the tender look there. “Will you walk me to the abbey?”

Collier nodded with a pained smile. Then he smoothed a lock of hair over her ear. “He does not care for you . . . as I do,” he whispered thickly.





Word has reached me that Lady Marciana will shortly be crowned Queen of Comoros. She surrounds herself with mastons, and listens only to their whispering in her ear. This will upset those in the realm who have betrayed the order. Her own people may topple her before the fleets even return. Then we will crush them all to cinders.


—Corriveaux Tenir, Victus of Dahomey





CHAPTER NINE




Wyrich





She awoke to darkness. Her heart tremored with fear, for the kishion had haunted her in her dreams. With a thought, she summoned light from a nearby Leering, and was startled to discover she was back at Muirwood in the room that she and Suzenne had once shared. The familiarity of the beds, changing screen, and even the tub in the corner by the fire Leering brought her comfort and helped dispel the gloom of her night terrors.

Because the room had no windows, she did not know what time it was or how late she had slept. Her body was sore and weary, but ever since she had arrived back at Muirwood, she had felt gloriously free. No longer was she subject to the oppressive taint of the Myriad Ones. All was peaceful, except for her own turbulent thoughts. She knew that she could not forever return to Muirwood to sleep at night, but until she found a way to rid the palace of the Myriad Ones and their influence, she needed to avoid the possibility of being overwhelmed by them.

Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, she remembered the look on the kishion’s face. The look that had told her more clearly than any words that he cared for her.

What a contradiction he was—the severed portion of his ear and his many scars were a gruesome reminder of his bloody deeds and dark past, of how ruthless and remorseless he could be. Yet she remembered sharing strawberries with him in the gardens of the lost abbey and seeing him smile. And he had saved her life twice. Still, it made her shudder to imagine him roaming through Comoros unchecked. Though it would seem he was not a danger to her, he was a danger. The knowledge that he would not abandon her willingly weighed on her. And she knew he would kill any man who tried to uproot him.

She straightened the blankets on her bed and quickly splashed water on her face to help wipe away the remnants of sleep. Then she hurriedly dressed in a simple gown and unbolted the door.

The Aldermaston’s manor was thrumming with activity. People scurried around everywhere, carrying crates and boxes, and the halls were filled with a veritable crowd of newcomers she did not recognize. Most wore simple clothing, not of any particular style—the men were in ribbed shirts the color of fleece, covered by leather vests with simple decorations along the fringes, and the women wore unadorned dresses and girdles of various colors, their hair partly concealed beneath simple scarves.

Maia was ravenous, so she left through the rear of the manor and headed to the kitchen where she and Suzenne had shared so many meals. It was no surprise to find Collett there, but in addition to the two kitchen helpers—Davi and Aloia—there were at least a dozen other young girls punching dough and stirring soups. There was bread baking in the oven fires, and meat was sizzling on spits near the ovens, at least ten hens with flakes of spices sticking to their glistening skins.

“Well, my lady,” Collett said with her usual sternness, “you find us much changed. Both of the kitchens work night and day now, and the menfolk are constructing two more kitchens over by the fish pond.”

“Poor Thewliss,” Davi said with a grin. “He cannot abide the crowds!”

Maia smiled and greeted the girls and quickly committed the new girls’ names to memory while Aloia fetched her something to eat. The kitchens were usually a place of quiet solitude, but she realized things had been changed permanently. With so many refugees from Assinica, the grounds of Muirwood Abbey would never be the same.

“You were born for such a challenge, Collett,” Maia said. “I do not know anyone else who could handle it.”

Collett gave her a small smile, but she was too proud of her humility to allow more of a reaction. “We all do what we can, thank the Medium. I am certain you have cooks aplenty in Comoros now. Many are thinking about following the Aldermaston to Augustin Abbey, but I am not such a fool. Muirwood is my home and ever it shall be.” Seeing the startled look on Maia’s face, she continued. “The High Seer announced some changes this morning while you were abed. Seems that we have a new master to serve.” Judging from her tone, she was a little unsettled by the idea, but she bore it stoically.