Page 23 of Tanglewood Magic (The Three Sisters 2)
Shifting to his side, he pulled her against his chest. “Good.”
She drifted off, perfectly content for the first time in as long as she could remember.
* * *
Three heavy thumps woke Circe,her lids flying open in alarm. Rhys was already propped on one elbow, staring toward the door, brow furrowed. “Someone’s knocking, downstairs.”
“You’d better go. Maybe it’s an emergency.” He did run an apothecary after all. Someone might be sick or injured.
“Why wouldn’t they go to Shadowvale’s? The sign clearly says we’re closed.” The pounding came again, more urgently.
Circe kissed his jaw. “Probably because it’s an emergency.”
A gusty sigh left his lungs, and he reluctantly climbed out of bed. Cold moved in. She pulled the blanket more tightly around her.
“Barely a customer in weeks, and the one time I plan to spend three days in bed, suddenly someone needs help,” he grumbled.
She laughed at the disgruntled look he gave her. “Three days?”
He shot her a wink as he dressed hastily in breeches and a tunic from a polished redwood wardrobe in the corner of the room. He swept back in and pressed a kiss to her mouth. “Don’t move. I’m not done with you.”
She gave him a wicked grin and watched him jog from the apartment and down to the apothecary below. Once he was gone, she lifted the blanket and stared down at herself, at the body she hadn’t known was capable of so much pleasure. Her smile broadened until she could feel it in her ears.
The chatter of raised voices came through the floor, and then she heard footsteps on the stairs. Rhys marched back into the room, her dress in his hands. He handed it to her, his face flushed. “Er, your sister is downstairs. She wants to talk to us both. Says it’s important.”
Circe shook her head, confused. “Isis?”
“No. The queen, Medea. I think it’s serious. And Circe, she knows you are up here. Your dress was on the floor. Please dress quickly and assuage her fears that I’ve done something horrid to you. I’d love not to spend time in the dungeon.”
Circe dressed quickly and hurried down to the main floor of the apothecary. Medea waited near the door in a purple dress that flowed gracefully from her shoulders. Circe rushed to her and pulled her into her arms.
“Medea, what’s going on?” Circe felt a strain along their sisterly bond and could see Medea had been crying. She’d stationed her guards outside the door. That was rare. Whatever it was Medea had come to tell her must be sensitive indeed.
“I’m sorry, Circe. Truly.” Her eyes flicked to Rhys and then to her mussed hair. “I can see I’m interrupting something. If it weren’t important—”
“Stop. You are welcome any time. Please, tell me what has happened!”
“Tavyss has decided. We sent a falcon to Paragon. He’s challenging Brynhoff for the throne. Once he’s installed as king of Paragon, I will step down as queen of Darnuith.”
“Fates, Medea, are you sure?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I am. This is best for everyone. Please keep it confidential, though, until all is settled. I don’t plan to lay my cards on the table until the last second, in case Eleanor has tricks up her sleeve. I haven’t even told Zelaria of my plans. Not until Tavyss’s rule is imminent.”
Circe glanced at Rhys. “You can count on us. We won’t say a word.”
Beside her, Rhys nodded. “Whatever you need. We’re here for you.”
Medea’s chin dropped. “I’m glad you said that, Rhys, because I have a favor to ask. In fact, that’s why I’m here.”
Medea wasn’t keen on asking for favors. On the contrary, she was normally a pillar of independence. “What’s happened, sister?”
“After we sent the falcon to Paragon, we received one back. Eleanor has called a special session of the Council of Elders to discuss Tavyss’s decision. Tavyss must state his intent to them in person, and they must formally accept his challenge to the throne. If all goes well, his coronation date will be announced in two nights’ time.”
“You’re going back to Paragon tomorrow?” A chill caused Circe to hug herself. Eleanor’s cruel ways still lingered fresh in her mind.
“We are.”
“Do you want us to accompany you again?”
