ures into a mask of cool composure, one

n’t you think?” I sai

work of a professional seamstress, but they were strait and evenly placed, well an

n there. Well don’t get your head caught too high in the

but kept m

d window, sided by two tapestries of silver haired winged folk in gossamer fine gowns

orming a perfect frame for the view beyond our protective walls, a view filled by a giant sloping gulley, its carpet of thick green pocketed by nothin

, angling her view so she could stare down

or that wretch your father treats as family

to breathe and keep my face still. If she found out, if she caught

muttering something I

pardon Aun

ed with us he never indulged himself in any of the serving girls. Not one. And t

she shook her head, mut

had I told him the night he’d first kissed me? “Sick

ke that might turn his attentions. Men do

t your suggestion shocks me. Besides, if he indeed felt that way inclined, I doubt he

t some kind of evil or injustice had been committed. “Well whoever he is, it’s better you stop your fancying now and

of me, I couldn’t seem to make them move again. S

ure you know everything you ne

g to my feet. “I think I need a

uldn’t think of anything beyond that which was being ripped away from me. My home. My family. Raff. Oh Raff. How cou

ad need of tending. The roses had grown wild and the bushels of lavender, once neat and kept to a small portion on the left had spread

sat, pulling my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms

itl

bsolutely had to, not even my father, it was because it was his voice. Raff’s. And as far as how he'd found me here? I looked up

..

gainst him. I closed my eyes, willing myself to memorise this moment, the feeling of him holding m

ove? You know I’ll fix

something

ipe a fresh tear from the corner of

hing down on me, on the both of us. I’d been stupid to let m

u? Tell me Catty! Ha

in. “Only if you count ripping out m

ent, carefully weig

t I had y

do, R

g to upset you?” His voice was

Nothing besides fill my head with

don’t un

is considering marriage proposals for me. He has two before him and... and there’s t

oke Raff! This is serious! If he... if he accepts one, any one of them I’ll be packed off to some stran

made me tremble. “Your father’s had many proposals for you,

’s

his calm if I

almost too afraid to hope that what

t first being written down. Think nothing of it.” His hand slid beneath my chin, lift

rong position, one where it would take a great d

comfort, but all they did was

none of these offers are good enough? What cou

my lips, his fingers trembling with the effort to contro

ut

l find a way. We’ll be