Read Online By Vengeance Guided (The Lost Shrines Book 1) by Amberlyn Holland - Free Book Online

pasture.
    A yawn welled up, threatening to escape, but she bit her lip and inhaled deeply to keep it at bay. Last night had been long and exhausting, though, thankfully, the careful experiments in the herbarium were undisturbed.
    Tonight she'd be losing sleep, again, for a completely different reason. Before she prepared herself for the evening's exertions, though, Lia had one last task to take care of. She'd been putting it off all morning, but now, with lunch behind them, it was time to take the bull by the horns and get it done.
    Soon the majority of the manor's staff and hands would be knocking off for the day in anticipation of the night's celebration.
    With a deep breath and a last stifled yawn, Lia crossed the distance until she stood on the opposite side of the wall from Wyn.
    He smiled though the expression was tight and forced. Nowhere near as warm and opened as usual. Neither was it reflected in his eyes. With careful precision, Wyn set the rock into position, then wiped his hands on his pants before bowing his head politely.
    "Milady."
    "Wyn."
    For a moment, she stared into the dark depths of his eyes and fidgeted with the fabric of her skirt. None of the warmth and delight he usually greeted her with was evident in his cool smile.
    Not that it mattered. She straightened her shoulders, reminding herself, again, it was better if they kept an emotional distance.
    "Is there something I can help you with, milady?" His tone was stiff, and he didn't reach for her hand. Lia hadn't realized how much she'd come to look forward to the quick brush of his lips across her skin until he didn't offer it.
    "Ah, no, actually. I've come to let you know you get a bit of a reprieve from Keneally's torture. Most of the staff will be leaving early today. The next couple of days only absolutely necessary work will be done, so you have some time to relax before you need to come back."
    He looked at her oddly for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "Ah, the full moon. So you still celebrate the old ways here in the valley?"
    Every muscle in her body went tight, giving away her anxiety and dismay in her clenched jaw. Ordering her muscles to relax, Lia feigned a casual smile. Many farming communities still honored some form of the full moon traditions. There was no way for him to know. No way for him to guess.
    "Something like that," she agreed, carefully not sharing anything else.
    "I love a good festival. Where will the festivities be? The village square or here? Does it start at sunset or moonrise?"
    The answers to his questions were on the tip of her tongue when she realized he asked because he wanted to attend. She shuddered at the thought. It was bad enough Gui saw part of it though there was no way he'd ever understand the deeper meaning.
    Wyn was smart, observant and not nearly as self-absorbed as her brother-in-law. He might figure it out. For the first time, Lia began to see that her advisors might be right. Wyn could be dangerous, indeed.
    She shook her head and sighed. "I'm afraid only the traditional families of the valley are invited. You'll have to stay in the village for the celebrations."
    Of course, that answered one of his questions.
    He frowned, then slowly, as if approaching a skittish barn cat, he reached out. With gentle fingers, Wyn took her hand in his, and stroked his thumb over the sensitive skin of her knuckles.
    "Are you sure there aren't any exceptions? A party would be a nice way to relax after lifting all these rocks. A chance to spend time with you, without the backbreaking labor, is something I've been hoping for."
    Oh, Goddess, it was something she'd been hoping for as well. Her body swayed forward, drawn toward him without input from her brain. If the wall hadn't stood between them, she had no doubt she'd have taken the fateful step into his arms. She wanted to.
    His other hand came up to push her hair back, his thumb coming to rest on her cheekbone and his fingers cradled her face with a