A Sterkarm Kiss by Susan Price Read Free Book Online Page A

the camp, on either side, were two more, smaller inflatables, standing apart from all the other buildings, and from each other.
    â€œThey’re the dormitories,” Gareth said. “One for the Sterkarms and one for the Grannams. We thought it would be pushing our luck to ask them to share. Where will you be staying?”
    â€œWhere I’m put, I suppose,” Andrea said, surprised.
    â€œThere are a few beds for 21st people,” Gareth said, “but I’m sleeping in the Grannam dormitory—I’ve been working with them. Would it be okay if you went in with the Sterkarms?”
    â€œOf course. That’s what I was expecting.”
    â€œCome on, then. I’ll show you where it is.” He led the way toward one of the inflatable dormitories, threading through parked vans and slight timber shacks. Sixteenth-siders stared at them, the Elves, as they went by.
    The dormitory had a door. Inside was another wooden floor, and curtains in bright brocades, hung to make small private areas. Mattresses and sleeping bags lay on the floor. There were even beds. Gareth led the way all the way through the building to a door at the far end—a white door, its paneling picked out in gold. Andrea followed him through it.
    On the other side was a domed room, all white, pink, pale blue, and silver. There were candles, and roses, and ribbons, and wreaths and garlands. On the floor were white fluffy rugs and white cushions decorated with silver fringes. There were couches and armchairs, with lots of curves and gilding, and white-and-rose cushions. Little white tables were scattered about, supporting small bowls of chocolates and bonbons wrapped in blue, silver, and pink foil. Since the 16th siders wouldn’t touch Elvish food, Andrea supposed the sweets were just there for interior decoration. She helped herself to a chocolate so they wouldn’t be wasted.
    â€œThis is only the anteroom,” Gareth said with a touch of pride, and led her to the back of the room, where they mounted three shallow white steps and drew back a brocaded curtain of rose and silver.
    Behind the curtain was a huge double bed with rose-­colored covers. Garlands of roses twined the bed’s posts, and it dripped with lace and was heaped with heart-shaped pink cushions and white pillows. Hung around it were diaphanous white curtains—which wouldn’t be appreciated by the 16th siders, Andrea thought, who liked their bed curtains thick enough to keep out drafts. “Of course,” she said, looking around. “This is the bridal suite.”
    Gareth allowed himself a small smile. “Like it?” Obviously he thought that all women went gaga for a few posies and bows.
    â€œBeautiful,” she said, though she thought it overfussy and a little ridiculous, especially for the Sterkarms, whose taste was more robust. She imagined Toorkild or Sweet Milk wiping their noses—or worse—on the gauzy drapes. “Who is it who’s getting married?” She might know the couple, from her former stay in the 16th.
    Gareth opened his mouth to answer, but his headset crackled, and he started for the door at a run. “Come on! They’re here!” Andrea followed eagerly, bridal suites forgotten. The Sterkarms were here. Soon she would see Per.
    Outside, the paths between the inflatables were full of people, all heading in the same direction. There were men in the uniform of FUP security and people from catering; there were 16th sider women and children, and people in Elvish clothes with headsets.
    They reached the edge of the encampment, the shantytown of wooden huts and cooking fires. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat. And now they could hear the sound of horses’ hooves and music. Someone was playing a jig on the pipes. They passed between the kitchen shacks, and then they could see, coming along a moorland path, a long procession.
    A string of horses and riders. The horses