Read Online Song Magick by Elisabeth Hamill - Free Book Online Page B

*
    Mithrais felt slightly ridiculous in the
green velvet jerkin, its fluttering silk leaves sparkling in the
light of the candles that illuminated the hallway. The crown of ivy
and the mask were in his hands as he waited outside Telyn’s door to
escort her to the feast. He had also belted his own slender dagger
over the costume, reluctant to go completely unarmed.
    Several other guests had already made their
way down the long hallway; from his vantage point at the farthest
end of the corridor, Mithrais had already seen an antlered stag and
his doe, a peacock with a full tail, and a peahen. He was relieved
that his own costume was quite plain in comparison, but slightly
apprehensive about what his role as the Green Man might mean. If
the bawdy displays of affection he had seen during the dances were
any indication, the rite itself might be nothing short of sensual.
He did not want to jeopardize Telyn’s trust in him with the
undefined expectations of this ceremony.
    A female voice from the opposite side of
Telyn’s door alerted him that someone was moving toward the
hallway. A maid peered out into the passageway, and smiled at
Mithrais as she noted his costume. She called back into the room,
“The Green Man is here, Lady Telyn. Shall I let him in?”
    “Yes. Thank you for all you’ve done,
Grainne,” Telyn’s voice replied. The maid dropped a small curtsy to
Mithrais as she opened the door wide, and he acknowledged it with a
small bow of his own as she collected her basket and exited the
room.
    Telyn was standing with her back to the door,
looking out the glazed window at the sunset’s final blaze of color,
and she turned to greet her escort. The look of astonishment and
relief on Telyn’s face made Mithrais realize she hadn’t known that
he would be the Green Man, but he was rendered speechless.
    She was breathtaking, lovelier than anyone
Mithrais had ever seen. The white gown sparkled with silver
embroidery on the velvet bodice and sleeves, and the neckline
dipped gracefully to expose Telyn’s throat and shoulders. Her hair
was swept into a knot that escaped in soft curls on either side of
her face and down the back of her neck. Mithrais could see the
blush rising in her cheeks as Telyn realized the effect her
appearance was having on him. He shook his head in wonder, and
Telyn gave a delighted laugh.
    “So you are the Green Man! I know that
Riordan couldn’t have planned that in advance, despite his
jokes.”
    “Perhaps he could have. The man is
frighteningly accurate in his perceptions. Is he an enchanter?”
Mithrais was unable to take his gaze from her.
    Telyn grinned. “Not to my knowledge, unless
the future is revealed in the bottom of his wine cups.”
    “I fear that I’ve usurped someone else’s
role, then. They are going to be sorely disappointed.”
    Telyn’s answering smile was hesitant, and she
moved away from the window to pick up the mask on the dressing
table.
    “I was rather put out with Riordan for making
me lead the spring rites, but now, I think that he is back in my
good graces.” Telyn shrugged, pretending great interest in the
mask. “However, he’s all but engineered a woods marriage between
us. Perhaps I should still be angry at him.” Her tone was playful,
and Mithrais replied in kind as he deposited his own mask and the
ivy crown upon the table,
    “I must admit that I’m concerned about the
requirements of this rite. At home it would be a matter of gravest
ceremony, but here, I suspect things are a bit
more...enthusiastic.”
    “Well, I certainly wouldn’t want you to be
shamed in front of Riordan’s guests,” Telyn laughed, her fingers
toying with the ribbons of her mask and betraying her nervousness.
“All that is required is a kiss.”
    Mithrais could feel the pull between them
like the moon and the tide, but he held his ground, letting Telyn
close the distance between them unhurriedly. They stood face to
face, not touching, and he saw the pulse in her throat