Starflower by Anne Elisabeth Stengl Read Free Book Online

She’ll rest easy enough there and hear nothing of those monsters while she dreams.”
    Eanrin gasped. All in a rush, his own fears vanished, and he stared at his lady, at the stranger, and back again. “Gleamdren, my sweet,” he said, stepping forward and putting a protective hand on her shoulder. “We don’t know anything about this creature. We don’t know what she might have done to provoke someone to set the Black Dogs on her. They don’t chase without reason, you know.”
    But though the words spilled quickly from his tongue, no one paid him heed. Gleamdren shrugged off his hand and, with nothing more than a withering look, ignored him. She walked away with the king on one side and the queen on the other as she assisted the woman back through the caverns of Rudiobus. Glomar trailed behind, and all the rest of the court, sparing not so much as a glance for the crimson poet.
    He found himself at last standing alone beside Fionnghuala Lynn with the king’s mare. He turned to Órfhlaith. “I tell you what, my friend, something about this puts my hair on end.”
    She whuffled and shook her ears. “Do not mistrust Master Iubdan or his lady. Would they allow evil into Rudiobus?”
    Eanrin did not hear. He watched the torchlight vanishing up the caverns, his heart sinking. The last thing in the world he wanted was to become tangled in some mortal’s affairs. But he had brought the creature into Rudiobus of his own free will. Whatever happened next, he could no longer extricate himself.
    With a curse, he left Órfhlaith and the waterfall, sprinting after the crowd.

    The colorless woman opened her eyes to the warm glow surrounding her. The room was full of gold. Gilding on the bedposts and walls, golden threads in the bed curtains, a gold frame surrounding a mirror of pure water—she closed her eyes again and turned away from that. The last thing she wanted to see was her own reflection.
    When she raised her lids again, there was more gold. The gold of candlelight shining on the white-gold braid draped over the shoulder of a Rudioban maiden.
    Flowing Gold.
    â€œSo. You’re awake.” Lady Gleamdren sat on a chair near the bedside, her eyes narrow, her arms crossed over her chest. “It’s about time.”
    The colorless woman opened her mouth, but her throat was raw and she found it difficult to speak. Then she gasped, a tearing sound in her chest, and cried out, “The Dogs!” She sat up in the bed, her long hair falling about her shoulders like a shawl and partially covering her face. But one bright eye gazed out from between the limp strands. “The Black Dogs! Are they near?”
    â€œNice show, that,” said Gleamdren, twisting her lips. “I’d almost think you were truly frightened.”
    The stranger blinked. As an afterthought she took another deep, shuddering breath. “How long have I slept?”
    â€œDon’t give me that. You haven’t slept at all.”
    The woman swallowed. The counterpane was heavy, and she pushed it back. Even it was quilted with golden thread on gold-spun cloths. “Who are you?” she asked the maid.
    â€œLady Gleamdrené Gormlaith. As if you didn’t know.”
    A smile touched the woman’s mouth, tugging at its corners. “I did not know. But I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
    â€œLess pleased am I!” Gleamdren hopped up from her chair and strode to the bedside. “You’re wearing my nightdress. Did you know that?”
    The woman looked down at the soft green gown embroidered at the neck with dark leaves and, sure enough, more gold. She said nothing but picked at the rich collar.
    â€œAnd do you want to know why you’re wearing my nightdress?” Gleamdren persisted. “Because every glamour-dazzled fool in Rudiobus has gone and fallen in love with you. Every one of them! Do you think I’ve a single suitor left this