Smoke and Rain by V. Holmes Read Free Book Online Page A

through the defense, her anger lanced out, cold and crystalline. “I am Lyne'alea ir Suna.” Her steady voice belied her shaking hands. “I am the foster-daughter of Ahme'reahn ira Suna, ihal of Cehn. I was to be the wife of his second eldest son, Ahren. Our city was attacked a week before my wedding. Everything I ever knew, ever could have been, is gone. Thus, I am gone. I am only certain of my name, which is borrowed, and that nothing will ever be as beautiful as it was before.” She kept her composure until she closed her bedroom door.
    The sobs that took her were deep and gasping and she wondered if she could ever stop. She slid to the floor, leaning back against the door. It was solid, which only made the familiar things in her memories feel less substantial. Her gasps were only slightly less desperate when she heard measured footfalls on the stairs. She bit down on her sleeved wrist to muffle her noise. The attempt was in vain and she heard a hand press to her door. “Milady?” Arman's voice was gentle.
    She did not respond. It was almost dark, but she had not lit the candle by her bed. I could be out.
    “Ma told me you seemed shaken.” He paused. “Are you there?”
    She cleared her throat. “I was just resting.” It was obvious, but she was grateful he afforded her the lie.
    “I am sorry if I made these first few days hectic. I am not good with grief. Do you want me to let you alone?”
    “I don't want to be alone.” She wondered if the words were too soft for him to hear. She rubbed the marks her teeth had left on her arm. “Your talk is comforting.”
    There was a rasp of rough fabric on wood as he eased onto the floor on the other side of the door. “I've had a share of grief, but nothing like yours. If I lost Vielrona I would feel like I lost which way was north.” He sighed. “I have heard what allowing the Laen to come here could do. Even bringing you here could endanger us. But I see you sitting at my hearth and I wonder how people could be so cruel.” He paused, as if to check she was still listening. “Would it make it better if you learned the reason the Laen did not protect your family? If you learned your loss was not in vain?”
    “No.” Her voice cracked. “If I learned we saved the world, it would still hurt just as much. My family was my world.”
    “I'm sorry, then. I don't know how to make it hurt less.”
    “Thank you for talking to me. I think I can sleep now.”
    He rose with a groan. “Very well.” He was part way down the hall when her door creaked open.
    She peered into the dark corridor. Her eyes were luminous and rimmed with red. “Arman, would you show me the library tomorrow?”
    His smile was careful. “Of course. I can bring you on my way to the forge.”
    She ducked back into her room with a quick thanks and lit the candle by her bed. She undressed and slid under the coverlet. Arman's words had helped. She closed her eyes and thought of home. There was the spicy scent of the wood and curtains of the manor. Merahn's laughter as she held her firstborn. Alea smiled at the memory of Ahren's quick wit. They had taken a walk in the garden without escort, despite the customs.
    His dark eyes had glinted when he saw her, presenting her with a hair comb wrought of silver and studded with onyx and lapis. He had just returned from negotiations in Vielrona and had found the gift in their market. “It matched your eyes,” he explained with a smile. “I am sorry our wedding continues to be postponed. I would imagine you're anxious.”
    Alea laughed as she often did, then. “I have waited years, Ahren. What is another month?” His hand sliding over hers had surprised her, as had the kiss on her brow. “It is only until the rains come.”
    She had not understood the sorrow in his eyes when he had pulled away, thinking it was only from desire. “Alea, you know there is a war on?”
    “Ihal mentions it every day.”
    Ahren's face grew serious. “Do you remember anything