Read Online The Fight for Peace by Autumn M. Birt - Free Book Online
Authors: Autumn M. Birt
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find words to say goodbye or a resolution that would solve the riddle of their relationship. Arinna wiped away a tear as she answered.
“I’ve got news,” Jared said, voice filled with excitement.
“It sounds like good news. Did the FLF blow themselves up?”
“Thanks, nothing that good. Now I’m disappointed. We’ll talk more when you’re back. What do you know about Argentina?”
Chapter 7
CORIANNE HEYLOR
ENLISTMENT
It was a month of hell. Corianne’s mother refused to allow any talk of the Guard, even from Pyotr. Where her cousin had been was a topic just as verboten as what Corianne had gone through. Which left only the holidays and Tatiana’s upcoming nuptials as approved conversations. Corianne vied between feeling the threads of her tight satin dresses were the only things keeping her together to feeling that they symbolized all she was no longer. Every day was uncomfortable. Counting them away kept her sane.
The very short holiday break for Parliament kept the countryside empty of many, at least those in Corianne’s traditional social circles. Only those who had no intention of returning in January arrived to host last minute holiday gatherings. That at least kept the roster of events small. Still, she was shocked to be invited anywhere at all and wondered if Tatiana and her mother begged for those.
Her cousin’s obvious happiness and the Lady Grey’s promise made the days tolerable. Corianne had gained quite a bit of skill in pretending everything was fine in her weeks living with David after the first rape. So she managed to smile, discuss the spring wedding plans, and help Tatiana work on her gown.
“By spring your hair will have grown out,” Tatiana said as they sewed one quiet afternoon, a task much more preferable to dressing to go out.
“Oh, I— ” Corianne cut off her answer as her mother glanced at her. “Of course,” she said instead with a smile.
Corianne had no interest in growing out her shorn locks. She’d grown accustomed to the inch long nap, preferring it just as she preferred to be called Cori. Which no one but Pyotr did. But based on her mother’s look, Corianne wouldn’t dare mention her preferences lest Linda remove the scissors from the sewing room.
Finally one morning Corianne woke up and it was mid-January. A month had passed since the hearing. She sighed with relief. The house held pre-dawn silence as Corianne slipped on pants taken from Pyotr’s old clothes that she’d hemmed to fit her. Over that, she slipped a blouse and jacket from her clothing purchased in Prague. Riding boots, a winter jacket, Corianne turned slowly in the center of her room, seeking anything too cherished to leave behind. She saw nothing that suited the future that would begin today.
Corianne saddled the one horse suitable for riding as quickly and quietly as she could. Even if her mother discovered her, Corianne would not delay her trip to Rhiol one more day. But it would be better to remember her mother without hysterics and shouting. Pulling the girth tight, Corianne heard the creak of a floorboard.
“You can’t stop me,” Corianne said after a glance over her shoulder.
“I’m not trying to stop you. I’m joining you – well, the Guard. You’d think after Crystal City and the Wasteland, I wouldn’t want to enlist?” Pyotr asked.
Corianne fumbled with the buckle, nearly dumping the saddle to the floor. Pyotr caught it before it slid from the mare’s back, righting it and holding it in place so Corianne could cinch it properly. She glared at him over the seat, unsure what else to do.
“Hurry up, do you want to wait until everyone is awake?” Pyotr hissed.
Corianne wanted to retort and argue, but both would cost time and potentially be overheard. She unclipped the horse and led it out the barn door, glancing quickly to the house to ensure no candles were lit before leading the mare down the lane. Pyotr followed her.
“You can walk,”
“I’ve got news,” Jared said, voice filled with excitement.
“It sounds like good news. Did the FLF blow themselves up?”
“Thanks, nothing that good. Now I’m disappointed. We’ll talk more when you’re back. What do you know about Argentina?”
Chapter 7
CORIANNE HEYLOR
ENLISTMENT
It was a month of hell. Corianne’s mother refused to allow any talk of the Guard, even from Pyotr. Where her cousin had been was a topic just as verboten as what Corianne had gone through. Which left only the holidays and Tatiana’s upcoming nuptials as approved conversations. Corianne vied between feeling the threads of her tight satin dresses were the only things keeping her together to feeling that they symbolized all she was no longer. Every day was uncomfortable. Counting them away kept her sane.
The very short holiday break for Parliament kept the countryside empty of many, at least those in Corianne’s traditional social circles. Only those who had no intention of returning in January arrived to host last minute holiday gatherings. That at least kept the roster of events small. Still, she was shocked to be invited anywhere at all and wondered if Tatiana and her mother begged for those.
Her cousin’s obvious happiness and the Lady Grey’s promise made the days tolerable. Corianne had gained quite a bit of skill in pretending everything was fine in her weeks living with David after the first rape. So she managed to smile, discuss the spring wedding plans, and help Tatiana work on her gown.
“By spring your hair will have grown out,” Tatiana said as they sewed one quiet afternoon, a task much more preferable to dressing to go out.
“Oh, I— ” Corianne cut off her answer as her mother glanced at her. “Of course,” she said instead with a smile.
Corianne had no interest in growing out her shorn locks. She’d grown accustomed to the inch long nap, preferring it just as she preferred to be called Cori. Which no one but Pyotr did. But based on her mother’s look, Corianne wouldn’t dare mention her preferences lest Linda remove the scissors from the sewing room.
Finally one morning Corianne woke up and it was mid-January. A month had passed since the hearing. She sighed with relief. The house held pre-dawn silence as Corianne slipped on pants taken from Pyotr’s old clothes that she’d hemmed to fit her. Over that, she slipped a blouse and jacket from her clothing purchased in Prague. Riding boots, a winter jacket, Corianne turned slowly in the center of her room, seeking anything too cherished to leave behind. She saw nothing that suited the future that would begin today.
Corianne saddled the one horse suitable for riding as quickly and quietly as she could. Even if her mother discovered her, Corianne would not delay her trip to Rhiol one more day. But it would be better to remember her mother without hysterics and shouting. Pulling the girth tight, Corianne heard the creak of a floorboard.
“You can’t stop me,” Corianne said after a glance over her shoulder.
“I’m not trying to stop you. I’m joining you – well, the Guard. You’d think after Crystal City and the Wasteland, I wouldn’t want to enlist?” Pyotr asked.
Corianne fumbled with the buckle, nearly dumping the saddle to the floor. Pyotr caught it before it slid from the mare’s back, righting it and holding it in place so Corianne could cinch it properly. She glared at him over the seat, unsure what else to do.
“Hurry up, do you want to wait until everyone is awake?” Pyotr hissed.
Corianne wanted to retort and argue, but both would cost time and potentially be overheard. She unclipped the horse and led it out the barn door, glancing quickly to the house to ensure no candles were lit before leading the mare down the lane. Pyotr followed her.
“You can walk,”
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