I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to caution Aiko, to tell her not to believe Torrance too much, that it was likely a show to gain their trust for some nefarious purpose. But I’d have to push down that sort of thinking now. I needed to prove to everyone that I loved Torrance, that I trusted her implicitly. That probably starts with the knives, I thought, eyeing them on the counter. If Torrance was to be my wife, I couldn’t hide kitchen objects from her like she was a child.

I thought of her face when I’d suggested she might hurt a Sionnachan. There had been instant shock and horror at my words, the kind not easily faked. No! she’d said. I’d never hurt Aiko and Shoshen! I thought also of her shining, gentle joy at being with the sontanna, and her hopeful excitement about being able to understand animals. It seemed there was maybe some true goodness in her after all.

I rather wish there wasn’t.

But at the very least, I did now think it was unlikely she’d hurt one of the Sionnachans. Her goodness aside, she seemed clever and at least somewhat reasonable. Now that she’d accepted our bargain, and her friends and freedom were at stake, she wouldn’t ruin it with something that wouldn’t help her situation, like using a knife on someone.

The knives stay there, then.

A new anxiety seemed to have entered the Sionnachans. I watched them closely as their gazes went from the knives to me and back again, their tails bushy with nervous energy.

“What is it?” I asked them.

“Well, my lord,” Aiko began uncertainly, her ears flattening, “I cannot imagine you were happy about Torrance – the prisoner – getting out and trying to use a knife for something. Is she... is she... still here?”

They think I killed her.

“Yes,” I said forcefully, feeling oddly dizzy all of a sudden. “She’s fine. She’s upstairs, and will require breakfast, as always.”

Aiko and Shoshen both relaxed visibly. This was more than just their Sionnachan abhorrence at the idea of killing another person. They’d grown to like Torrance. That irked me, but I reminded myself it was actually a good thing. It would make our ruse all the smoother going forward.

“Speaking of Torrance,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm and firm, “she is no longer a prisoner.”

A bolt went through the siblings.

“My lord?” Shoshen asked, and Aiko’s face echoed his question.

I cleared my throat, trying to figure out exactly what sort of emotion to let through. Should I appear happy? Relaxed? Grave? Mates were a serious matter, after all. Blast. I talked about Torrance failing in her role, and I’m already floundering just trying to tell two Sionnachans!

I settled on a smooth, serious tone, as if I were merely touching on some necessary part of daily life, mentioning some bit of the castle that needed repair or the status of the weather outside.

“She is no longer a prisoner because she is my mate. We will marry.”

The siblings stared at me as if they hadn’t quite understood what I’d said. Finally, Aiko was the one who spoke first, a tentative smile touching her orange and white face.

“My lord! Congratulations to you both! A wedding, oh, that is cause for celebration indeed!” Something turned quiet and nostalgic in her voice. “We were always told, growing up, about your father Cynewylf’s great love for Sashkah. To think that you are now following in his footsteps, finding your fated bride in the very same place – on Sionnach!”

I, too, had noticed the parallels. But the differences were more worthy of note. My parents had starburned for each other. They had been true mates and had always set before me the example of what a husband and wife should be. Loving. Respectful. Diligently devoted to one another and to their child.

My wings tightened, and with no small amount of pain, I thrust the memories of their love away. I couldn’t think about them now – it made me feel too much like I was doing something wrong. That this sham of a marriage in the house they’d built was some sort of dishonour to them. And it reminded me too much of what I’d lost. Reminded me I’d never have what they’d had.

“Thank you,” I said, my tone clipped. I decided I’d not bother trying to look happy about anything right now. I’d just plough forward with the things that needed to be done. Leave the pain abandoned at the back of my mind. “She will no longer be confined to any chamber. Whatever she needs or asks for will be attended to as if I had asked myself.”

“Of course, my lord,” Shoshen and Aiko said in unison.

“She will need new clothing, not just simple garments made from those bits of plain fabric I brought back from Hoshta’s. An entire wardrobe befitting the wife of a stone sky god,” I said, beginning to pace the room, taking refuge in the practical making of plans. It helped distance me from the tangle of uncomfortable feelings inside me. “And, of course, she will sleep with me, in my old chamber in the Eve Tower.”

Suddenly, making plans no longer felt like refuge but like danger. She will sleep with me. Of course, she’d have to stay in my room as my wife. But the reality of that was beginning to sink down upon me, like a bird landing on me and digging in hot talons. Torrance in my chamber. Torrance in my bed...

Aiko and Shoshen closed and opened their fists, uttering words of acquiescence. Luckily, they accepted everything I was telling them without question. They’d never met me before a few days ago, and other than childhood stories, they knew little of my parents. Despite my sudden misgivings, they did not doubt anything. But I’d have to get better at this. A stone sky god, who knew the reality of starburning much more deeply than they did, would cast a keener, more critical eye over our union. Seventeen days...

That long? Torrance had asked miserably.

I now worried it wasn’t long enough.

Once again, the need for distance came over me. If I could just fly and breathe in the cold air, I’d be able to settle myself.

“I will go to Hoshta’s in the village,” I said suddenly. “Right now. I will return tonight.” I reminded myself to bring coin this time, and lots of it. To settle the previous account and to buy new fabric for my bride. There was a dark, ticking point of pleasure at the idea, somewhere deep in my guts. I ignored it and tried to tell myself it was simply the satisfaction of finding a way to play my part. It would be expected that I lavish her with gifts, and buying a bunch of silk and leather was much easier than contemplating the reality of Torrance in my bed.

My satchel was filled to bursting with coins when I took off for the village. It was enough to buy out Hoshta’s entire blasted store, and I knew I’d spend it all. I could already anticipate the whispers spreading through the village, the Sionnachans’ reactions to the extravagance.

But Lord Wylfrael’s bride was here at last. And she would have nothing less than everything.

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CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO Torrance

A sound at the door woke me. I groaned, rolling over, warm light seeping through my eyelids.

I wonder how late it is...

I opened my eyes, squinting in the orange-pink brightness.

The sound at the door returned, a soft tapping sound followed by a hushed, “My lady? Are you awake?”

My lady?

I sat bolt upright, heart pounding as last night’s events played in my head, a vicious loop like a movie fast forward and rewound. I was engaged. Fake engaged. To a proud and demanding alien god.