The Twisting by Laurel Wanrow Read Free Book Online Page B

granny tells in stories that I thought were just tales. But I’ve touched Riv’s piercing.” Mary Clare pointed to her belly. “It’s real.”
    The image of Daeryn naked flashed in Annmar’s mind. Yes, a curling silver piece had been on his belly the night he was bitten. She’d forgotten it beside the startling view of his male anatomy.
    “It’s seriously in there, solid, like a stuck splinter. Rivley says until he and Dae learn the lessons, it won’t come out. Problem is, their Elders make them decipher the meanings behind the lessons. Until they do, they’re stuck with each other.” Mary Clare’s face held a sour look.
    “Is that what you two argue about?”
    “Yes,” snapped Mary Clare, then she frowned. “Mostly. There are other things, but I’ve told Riv he should make Daeryn work on it. I pushed him enough that I figured out I better not bring it up again. That was our biggest row a year ago. We don’t talk about their gildan anymore.”
    “I assume you’ve never asked Daeryn about it? Or encouraged him to work with Rivley to get it resolved?”
    Mary Clare snorted. “And get my throat torn out? Daeryn barely said two nice words to me before you became ill.”
    Apparently, they were on better terms now. That would make her friendship with both easier. “So Daeryn and Rivley are not pack now?”
    “Not after leaving their home in Rockbridge. But a gildan is stronger than a pack mark connection, so giving one permission—to enter your room, for instance—gives the other permission.”
    Annmar rested her head back in her chair. She’d never have given Daeryn the permission she’d given Rivley. Not after seeing him with Maraquin in his bed, even if she had been a wolf. This spun things around in the most confusing way. Daeryn had been the gentleman she thought only Rivley was. But could she trust Daeryn?
    “Stop thinking about it so much.” Mary Clare gripped Annmar’s knee. “This emotional turmoil won’t get you anywhere.”
    Annmar glanced down, but by this point in their friendship, she could guess what she’d see: Her redheaded friend’s face was just as twisted into worry as her own must be. The Knack Mary Clare kept hidden from nearly everyone else conveyed others’ feelings. Oh, dear, considering tending to Annmar had fallen mostly to Mary Clare, the sensitive girl probably had worked herself into a state these last few days. Having Daeryn’s help until Miriam was allowed to enter must have been a relief.
    “You can rescind the permission, you know,” Mary Clare said. “Just hold your doorknob and say, ‘I deny Rivley and Daeryn permission to enter my room.’”
    Fortunately, that same experience with emotions had also given Mary Clare years of practical exposure to solutions.
    “Please, would you forgive me for not trying to keep Daeryn out?” Mary Clare asked.
    Her new friend might be headstrong, but was a dear. “Yes, and I also thank you. I’m feeling so much better due to your help. Just…I suppose it’s my upbringing. I’m uncomfortable that he was here when I was unaware.”
    “Yes,” Mary Clare said slowly. “I suppose growing up in Derby was quite different for you than for us in the Basin. Since moving to Derby, my sister Mary Alice writes us about the Outside habits she and her beau have to adjust to.” Mary Clare bit her lip. “And she mentioned most people have white skin. Is it Daeryn’s brown skin that you don’t—”
    “No.” Lord forbid, how could she suggest that? Annmar shook her head. “Mother didn’t hold with English opinion. I suspect coming from the Basin had something to do with that. Skin color makes no difference to me.”
    “I didn’t think so, but figured I’d ask.”
    Annmar clasped her hand. “It’s because I’ve never courted. Outside, you just wouldn’t do… any of this without being betrothed, and likely not until marriage. Even as part of the working class, we wanted to avoid wagging tongues.”
    “Do you like