A Heart of Ice (Araneae Nation) Read online

  The Araneidae were artisans. We could not defend ourselves. We had to marry for protection.

  We did not, however, have to like it.

  “Utmost care has been taken to weed out the unsavory from among your suitors, but you must be on your guard,” she warned. “Meet no males alone.”

  A telling flush crept up my neck. “When do the suitors arrive?”

  I knew her style. The less time I had to sketch an escape plan, the more likely I was to stick to her outline.

  “Some already have.” She watched for my reaction. “Others will arrive in the coming days.”

  “Ah.” It seemed the best answer I could offer.

  “There is someone I would like you to meet.” She added, “Tonight if you’re up to it.”

  Tonight I had plans, and they were looking better all the time.

  I pasted on sincere regret. “I promised to give a friend of Isolde’s a tour of the city.”

  Mother paled. “A friend of Isolde’s?”

  Her wince tempted me to laugh. “We will be on our best behavior.”

  “You do well to contain Isolde.” She frowned. “Are you sure you can manage her friend too?”

  Tempted as I was to embellish the truth by hinting I would have an armed escort, I kept quiet as a thrill raced through me. I had a secret. Me. I was always the secret keeper, the confidant. No more.

  As the noose of responsibility tightened around my throat, I was taking one last gasp of air.

  “I can manage.” I had no doubt, “Isolde will help. You know how persuasive she can be.”

  “That’s what worries me.” She exhaled. “That girl is a bad influence on you.”

  This was another old argument of ours. “She is my best friend.”

  “I hope she remains so.” Mother stared through my window. “It’s time she grew up too.”

  A lump formed in my throat. “What do you mean?”

  “When her parents were released from our custody and they reclaimed Isolde, I gave them gold enough to keep her well until her twentieth birthday. By that age, she ought to be married or well on her way to it. Some of her wealth can go toward her dowry to secure a good match.” She paused. “It was a stipulation that Isolde be allowed to visit you three months of the year. When she marries…”

  “She will be twenty next month.” I swallowed hard. “You can’t take her from me.”

  “I can’t buy her. She is a person, not a pet. I have no sons to marry her, and you have no cousins of age who aren’t already promised. She will have to marry and make her own way in the world. I’ve done all I can for her.” She reached for me. “I hoped if you both married around the same time—”

  “You can pick my husband, but you can’t choose my friends. You will not keep us apart.”

  “Reine.”

  “No.” I held up my hand. “I will do no lessons. I have choked down enough duty for one day.”

  Mother lowered her head. “You will see in time this is the way it must be.”

  “You are the maven.” I set my jaw. “What is the point of upholding a tradition that crushes us?”

  “Tradition is the framework supporting our clan, our nest and our lives.” She hesitated over my threshold. “Once these trials are over, you will be more able to put these things into perspective.”

  “No.” I turned my back on her. “When this trial is over, there will be another and another.”

  “It is the fate of those who rule to suffer for the good of their people.”

  “Then let me be the first to welcome the Araneidae into their new age of prosperity.”

  I bumped into Isolde outside the kitchen. With my schedule cleared, I thought we might visit the tailor and get her fitted for some new dresses. Any distraction from my own problems was welcome, and Isolde was nothing if not distracting.

  She bit into the apple in her hand while frowning at me. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine.” I fought stubborn tears. “I fought with Mother. That’s all.”

  One of the cooks who must have overheard brought me a glass of chilled sweet wine.

  “Bet you skipped breakfast again, miss. You’re so pale.” She returned with a tray of cheeses and meats and thrust it into Isolde’s hands. “Take her outside. Get her some sun and see that she eats.”

  Isolde snagged a sliced lepus medallion and popped it into her mouth. “Will do.”

  The cook thumped the end of her nose. “Keep your grubby mitts off that.”

  “Oww.” Isolde rubbed the sore spot. “She won’t miss one bite.”

  I stepped between them and nudged Isolde away from the cook. “Thank you.”

  The cook smiled warmly at me. “You’re welcome, miss.”

  We left the kitchen behind in search of the sunshine the cook had prescribed.

  “What did you fight about this time?” Isolde nibbled a piece of cheddar.

  “Suitors. Marriage. Monarchy.” You. Though I kept that to myself.

  Isolde never spoke of her family or her life. We were both aware of the stark differences in our upbringings and our futures. We chose to live in the now, together, as equals.

  “There’s something else.” She squinted at me. “What aren’t you saying?”

  I bit my tongue.

  She nudged me. “What could be worse than marrying you off?”

  Never seeing my best friend again.

  She put down the slice of meat in her fingers. “You’re scaring me.”

  To avoid the truth, I screwed up my face. “The suitors are here, in Erania.”

  “Do tell.” Her appetite returned. “Are they somewhere we can spy on them?”

  “We don’t know their names.” I chewed on my thumbnail. “Mother wants me to dine with each male individually so that we can get to know one another. She meant for those trials to start tonight.”

  Isolde choked. “You’re going out with Ennis tonight.”

  “We aren’t going out.” I slapped her on the back. “I’m giving him a tour.”

  Coughing, she laughed through her watering eyes. “I’ve never heard it called that before.”

  “Oh, ha ha.” I stuck up my nose. “Please stop before you ruin the notion of sex for me entirely.”

  “The notion.” She snorted. “More like the motion. I’m sure Ennis would show you his moves.”

  Heat scalded my neck. “Ennis won’t be teaching me anything.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” She offered the half-eaten tray. “He’s taught you to lie. That’s something.”

  “He didn’t teach me to lie.” I narrowed my eyes at her, daring her to dispute the fault as hers.

  “I embellish the truth.” She sulked. “The fact remains you didn’t tell your mother about him.”

  “What would I have said?” Nothing would have dissuaded her. “I don’t even know why I agreed to show him around. He was manipulating me, and we all knew it. I ought to cancel before tonight.”

  “You know why you agreed.” She fluttered her eyelashes. “You like him.”

  “I saw him for five minutes and spoke to him even less.” I sniffed. “He called us silly girls.”

  “Males are like that when you steal their toys.” She laughed. “He changed his tune, didn’t he?”

  “Once he realized I was the maven’s daughter.” I picked at the food left on the tray.

  She was quiet for a moment. Since her mouth was empty, she must have been thinking.

  “Huh.” She snagged a sliver of cheese with her bite marks already in it. “You’re right.”

  “If I wanted a male who was interested in my title, I would attend Mother’s dinner tonight.”

  “He was interested in you.” She turned serious. “You were lucky I was there to protect you.”

  “You were the reason I was there in the first place.” I stole the last bit of cheese from her.

  “Thank me later.” She snatched the snack from my fingers. “Oh! Name your firstborn after me.”

  “Um
, no.” I gave up and returned the tray to her. “The second world can’t handle two Isoldes.”

  “I see your point.” She mused, “I wouldn’t want to saddle a child with such lofty expectations.”

  “Or a governess with such a rascal,” I muttered.

  “Hmph.” She walked ahead of me. “Governesses adore me.”

  I felt reasonably certain when I said, “You didn’t have a one.”

  She scowled over her shoulder. “If I’d had a governess, she would have adored me.”

  “Adored the day you got married and she retired.” The ache in my heart redoubled.

  Dull as my prospects were, Isolde’s were grimmer. I had no right to complain when she kept her fears private. She must know her birthday meant a huge shift in her fortune, yet the topic was closed.

  Her spirits fell. “If only I were a man, then we could marry each other.”

  “There I must disagree.” I went to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “Knowing all I do now about your sexual preferences, I’m afraid I could never satisfy you.” I kissed her soundly on the lips. “It would break my heart to see you with another, so it’s best that I admire you from afar.”

  “Ah. So you do have a perversion.” Her eyes glinted with mischief. “You like to watch.”

  “Yes,” I played along. “You’ve discovered my sinful little secret. Nothing excites me more.”

  “I will have to remember that.” The masculine voice rolled over my shoulder.

  My soul shriveled on the spot. I kept my back to Ennis so I could pretend he wasn’t there or that he hadn’t heard my admission. If he had, surely he didn’t understand the context of our conversation.

  Warm breath hit the base of my neck. Warmer lips brushed my ear and left me trembling.

  “Your cheeks are red,” he whispered. “Is that because you told the truth or because you didn’t?”

  I swatted him aside while mortification screwed my eyes shut. “It’s rude to eavesdrop.”

  He captured my hand and held it against his cheek. “I never claimed to be otherwise.”

  “Since you’re here, I can tell you to your face.” I glanced back at him. “I will not—”

  He angled his head just so, brushed his lips over mine and filled my mouth with his tongue.

  A stunned moment later, I slapped the smug grin off his face.

  Isolde’s wide eyes must have mirrored my own. I wiped my mouth on my sleeve and set out for the privacy of the tailor’s shop before committing another sin by strangling him in view of everyone.

  Or worse, kissing him back.

  Chapter Three

  Isolde ran to keep pace with me. There was an annoying hop in her step. “Well.”

  I kept marching toward the tailor’s. “Well what?”

  “That was unexpected.” She tucked the empty tray under her arm. “He kissed you.”

  “I know,” I snapped. “I was there. So was every other person in the courtyard.”

  She laughed wickedly. “Does it bother you more that he kissed you or that everyone saw it?”

  “If Mother finds out—which she will eventually—she will stick me with a chaperone.”

  “Ugh.” Isolde made a face. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  I stomped harder with every step. “Why would he do that?”

  “Males are simple creatures,” she confided. “Your comment aroused the wrong end of him.”

  “The wrong end?” I choked. “Is there a right one?”

  “Small as they might be, some males do have brains.” She tapped her forehead. “He could have engaged you in a discussion of what you fancy instead of deciding trial and error was the way to go.”

  “That is a conversation best saved for my future husband.” As if I would put desire into words.

  “What has talking ever solved between males and females? We don’t speak the same language.”

  That might have been the single finest point in any argument she had ever made.

  “He knows who I am.” My fists balled. “How dare he kiss me in so public a place?”

  She shrugged. “He’s Theridiidae. They might have different views on casual relationships.”

  “We don’t have a relationship, casual or otherwise.” I pulled up short. “His clan is no excuse.”

  “Don’t snap at me.” She stopped to see what caught my eye. “I’m on your side.”

  “This isn’t happening.” Through the window of my favorite tailor’s shop, I spied my mother. On her arm draped a swath of pearlescent silk. Across her shoulder rested a length of elegant beaded lace. “Bridal silk.” The world lurched under my feet. “Mother is choosing fabrics for my wedding gown.”

  Isolde’s low whistle commiserated with me. She jerked my arm so hard my shoulder popped.

  “Hurry before she sees you.” She guided me toward the square where we could hide among our peers. “Why does she get the final say? Can’t your father stop this? Surely he would understand.”

  I dropped onto a stone bench and bruised my tailbone. “Leave him out of this.”

  “He’s the only one who stands up to your mother,” she pressed. “He will make her see reason.”

  “You don’t understand.” I twirled the ring on my finger. “Father is not himself.”

  She sank down next to me. “What do you mean?”

  “You remember him as the valiant war hero, the protector of Erania, and he was those things.” I hid the tears stinging the backs of my eyes. “But he was injured during a battle last spring. His mind is… He is gone. All that remains is a husk of a male who slightly resembles the father he once was.”

  Fat tears made Isolde’s eyes glassy. “I didn’t know.”

  “I didn’t want to talk about it.” I clasped her hand. “But I should have told you. I’m sorry.”

  “Their life threads?” she asked.

  “They’re tied,” I confirmed. “If he dies…Mother will too.”

  “May the gods be merciful.” She covered her mouth. “No wonder she wants you married.”

  “I’m afraid.” I let her pull me into her arms. “I don’t want to rule. Not yet.”

  “He survived this long. There’s no reason to think his health will suddenly decline.” She stroked my hair. “You know how your mother is. She worries. Don’t make more of her timing than there is.”

  I sniffled. “I’m sure you’re right.”

  Though deep in my heart, dread swelled. Mother did not overreact. She evaluated and prepared.

  Isolde hugged me tighter. “I guess this means you have decisions to make.”

  “What choices do I have?” I wiped my cheeks dry.

  “For one,” she said, “whether you’re going to meet Ennis tonight.”

  “No.” That was too easy.

  “For another, whether you want to spy on your mother’s dinner guests with me tonight.”

  I righted myself. “I don’t feel up for company.”

  “Oh, they won’t know we’re there.” She rubbed her hands together. “We’ll use the peepholes.”

  Mother’s and my private quarters in the city and in the nest each possessed secret rooms, doors and tunnels. They were intended for escape routes should Erania’s defenses ever be compromised.

  Since we were children, Isolde and I had used them for less honorable purposes.

  I let her enthusiasm sweep me away. “Can we see the dining hall from there?”

  The peepholes she meant were drilled through the wall into a hallway across the way.

  “What we can’t see, we’ll hear.” She ribbed me. “Come on. You haven’t been naughty in ages.”

  Not since a half hour ago when I let Ennis kiss me and survive to spread tales of his conquest.

  I eyed her warily. “Your memory is shorter than mine.”

  “Pah.” She waved her hand. “Naughty is an action, not a reaction. The kiss doesn’t count.”

  “Do you think the suitor she’s so anxious to introduce me to will be
there even if I’m not?”

  She rolled her shoulders. “He has to eat.”

  “Good point.” I took a deep breath and stood. “All right. Let’s do it.”

  “We should stop by the kitchen first.” Isolde patted her abdomen. “We need supplies.”

  “How can you still be hungry?” Her gut was a bottomless pit.

  “We’ve been over this before.” She swatted my rear with the tray. “Being in such a frigid clime tricks my body into believing it must store as much food as possible for the unbearably long winter.”

  “Uh-huh.” I poked her flat stomach. “I don’t think your plan is working.”

  “I have not succeeded yet.” She raised a finger. “Never let it be said it was for lack of trying.”

  Shaking my head, I left her stuck in her pose and retraced our steps to the kitchen.

  I kept an eye out for Ennis and was uncertain whether I was piqued or relieved not to spot him.

  Night came, and I felt not the slightest twinge of remorse at breaking my word to Ennis.

  Isolde and I sat on a quilt in a stretch of private tunnel. The peepholes were just over our heads.

  She cocked her head. “Do you hear that?”

  I took a sip of wine. “Sounds like laughter.”

  Isolde went to her knees and pressed an eye to a cutout. “Well, well.”

  “What is it?”

  She patted the wall beside her. “See for yourself.”

  I moved into position and oriented myself. The dining hall was the long room stretched in front of us. The holes were in the wall at the back of the hall across from a pair of arched side doors.

  Not three feet from my eye Mother stood wearing a sweeping formal gown in shimmering gold with dainty sapphire heels. To her right Padraig, a Theridiidae male who was head of the guards, sipped from a goblet. Beside him, Ennis swirled the rich red liquid in his cup and nodded politely as Mother and Padraig shared stories.

  I thumped my forehead against the wall. “What is Ennis doing there?”

  “If Padraig is his uncle,” she reasoned, “the maven likely wanted to welcome him properly.”