Sky of Wind by Emily Deady

Chapter 23

“You must have your union dedicated by a Sophist,” Jules insisted. He and Ezra had once again pounced on them the moment they showed their faces the following morning.

“Union?” Meena asked.

“Sophist?” Sol said at the same time.

“A wise woman. Her name also happens to be Sophie,” Ezra explained.

“Why don’t they just call her Sophie the Wise?” Meena asked.

“Oh, you’ve heard of her, then?” Jules jumped in.

“No, it’s just that her name seems complicated—”

“Her name isn’t important,” Jules spoke over her.

Meena glanced up at Sol, raising her eyebrows. They had not yet seen their host lose his temper.

Sol shrugged, but a small smile played on his lips.

Meena relaxed, turning her attention back to Jules, who was still speaking. Even if she and Sol were at odds, they could still laugh over the same things.

“Every union in Falqri is dedicated by her. It’s a must-have experience.” Jules smiled benevolently.

Meena had little desire to spend the morning focusing on her supposedly real marriage, but Jules’s benevolent smile made it clear he would not be refused. “Did you have your marriage dedicated by this Sophist?”

“Of course.” Jules took Ezra’s hand, gazing at her fondly. “And see how it worked for us. Two people have never been so happy.”

Meena bit her upper lip for a moment. The adoration on Jules’s face made her chest inflate with jealousy. “And remind me how long have you been married again?” she asked, her voice a little sharp. She knew the answer, but wanted them to say it out loud.

“Three perfect months.” Jules’s eyes were still on his wife.

Ezra rolled her eyes, but she didn’t pull her hand from his.

Neither seemed to notice the irony that Meena had pointed out. Their devotion clearly stemmed from their newfound infatuation with each other. She glanced at Sol again.

“Three months is a significant length of time.” Sol’s face was serious, but his loud whisper was clearly meant to be heard by everyone within earshot.

“To Sophie’s it is.” Jules turned back to them.

“Perhaps I could come with you to see this wise woman, but I believe Sol-ano has some business to attend to.”

Jules burst out laughing.

“You can’t dedicate a marriage when only one member of the party is present,” Ezra explained as Jules wiped tears from his eyes.

“Can you imagine what Sophie would say?” Jules asked Ezra, still chuckling. “That union surely wouldn’t last, and I mean you no offense, but I think the two of you could use all the help you can get.”

Meena straightened her back as she opened her mouth in shock. “What do you mean by that?”

Jules lifted his hands. “I mean you no disrespect, princess. I was merely observing that you and Prince Sirilian are quite new at all this and a special blessing could secure your future happiness together.”

Meena bristled. “I think our future happiness would be more assured if Prince Sirilian could attend to the business he needs to see to.”

“Business?” Ezra questioned.

“Just some letters and such to see to,” Meena said vaguely. “He has only just become a prince and is still getting used to his responsibilities.”

“Responsibility doesn’t start until you are home from your wedding trip,” Jules countered. “You cannot risk the future of your marriage for a seemingly urgent task. Come.”

Meena refused to budge. The Goldenreign Feast was just over a day away, and Sol still hadn’t even discovered the location of their target, much less developed a plan for getting through the soldiers defending it.

“Unfortunately,” Sol finally said, supporting her support of him. “My brilliant wife is right. King Frederich and Prince Onric specifically asked me to return with a detailed report on how you have managed to create such a well prepared defense system.”

“What with the upcoming Return of the Majis and all,” Meena added. “Defense is our highest priority in Iseldis.”

Jules’s smile seemed to falter at the mention of the fort. “If that is all you are after, I can have any of my men write that up for you in an afternoon.” He stepped between them, tucking Meena’s hand under his arm. Placing his other arm around Sol’s back, Jules forced them to step forward. “To Sophie’s!”

Meena leaned her head back, sharing another quick glance with Sol.

Jules was definitely trying to keep their time occupied.

The wise woman’shome was built of the same cream-colored sandstone as most of the buildings in the city.

It was also built partially below the ground, and required them to descend a handful of steps before pushing open the worn wooden door.

Meena entered the cool room with some excitement, squinting at the loss of light. It was not completely dark, but after the bright morning sun, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. In other circumstances, she would have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of having her union dedicated by a wise old woman. She decided to enjoy this unique experience as it was.

Sophie was surprisingly tall, but her shoulders were stooped and her movements were slow. A loose gauzy fabric covered her hair. She greeted Jules with familiarity.

“Didn’t I just see the two of you?” she asked, looking between Jules and Ezra. “Are you having problems already? Your marriage is still very young, you have to give it time to grow along with you.”

Meena instantly liked the woman for pointing out that three months of marriage was not very long.

“Oh, no, Sophie,” Jules protested. “We are not here for us.” He stepped aside and gestured toward Meena and Sol.

Sophie eyed them with a neutral gaze.

“This is Princess Philomena of Iseldis, and her new husband, Prince Solano,” Jules introduced them.

“I had heard of your union,” Sophie said. “Though I did not expect the honor of seeing you so shortly afterward myself.” She smiled.

Jules beamed, seemingly pleased with himself for arranging such a fortuitous meeting.

When he said nothing further, Meena broke the awkwardness. “It would be an honor for us if you would be so kind as to dedicate our union.”

“Of course,” Sophie replied. “Give me a moment.” She disappeared behind a curtained doorway.

Meena took in the room around her. The harsh sandstone was softened by draping fabrics and bright plants. Cushioned chairs lined the walls of the room, but no one was currently making use of them.

“Do we need to do anything?” Sol whispered to Jules.

“No,” Ezra responded. “She’ll be back in a moment.”

“She takes care of everything,” Jules said reassuringly.

Sol did not look reassured, but Meena was thoroughly intrigued.

A few moments later, she returned, holding a thin bouquet of dried herbs. She held them in her hands, crushing the leaves lightly between her fingers as she approached Sol and Meena at the center of the room.

Meena instantly caught the scent of the herbs and breathed it in. It reminded her of the forests back home, but there was a touch of the desert in the smell as well.

“Face each other,” Sophie instructed, gently gesturing with her hands to direct them.

Feeling embarrassed, humored, and relaxed, Meena turned to face Sol.

The woman said nothing, and it seemed as though she wanted something more from them.

Meena took another step closer, so she and Sol were closer together.

Sophie nodded. “Now, if you would hold each other’s hands.”

Meena looked up at Sol. His stony expression was easy to read. He was not enjoying this. She held out her hands, keenly aware of Jules and Ezra’s presence.

Sol lifted his hands, placing them stiffly under Meena’s.

The woman said nothing for several long breaths.

Meena could feel both her face and her palms warming. Sol’s hands remained completely motionless under her own.

“Captain and Lady Levek, I believe this moment may be more meaningful to our friends if you were not present.”

Meena almost snickered. She definitely liked this woman.

“Of course,” Jules immediately said, bowing his shoulders and head. “Whatever you wish, we would be happy to comply.” With an arm extended to his wife, Jules led her across the room. “Let’s go next door to visit your favorite seamstress, shall we? Perhaps find you something new?”

“I don’t have a favorite seamstress,” Ezra replied.

Meena’s body relaxed as they left the room.

Sophie waited a few more moments before speaking. “Having bound yourselves to one another, do you wish to recommit the vows you made?” she asked. The words were formal and sincere.

Meena swallowed. It had been hard enough to vow herself to Sol the first time, knowing it was all a ruse. Somehow, lying in the presence of this sweet woman felt even worse.

Meena felt her forehead tense.

Sol squeezed her hands.

She looked up at his face, expecting to see him scrunch his eyes and blink twice. The sooner they got this over with, the sooner they could continue their mission.

Instead, Sol shook his head at her.

Relieved, Meena nodded in understanding. “We are not prepared to recommit our vows.” She watched Sol’s face as she spoke, ensuring that they were thinking the same thing.

His hands relaxed under hers.

Meena turned to face the older woman.

Sophie slipped the covering from her head, shaking out her long, white hair. “That’s what I thought.” She waved at their joined hands.

Meena slipped her hands out of Sol’s, wiping them on her skirt. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“I could feel your discomfort the second you walked through my door. I just needed to ensure it was a discomfort with each other and not with me.”

Meena looked back to Sol. If they had been so obviously uncomfortable with each other that a complete stranger could comment on it only moments after meeting them . . .

“Your secret is safe with me.” Sophie winked.

“What secret?” Meena asked, alarmed. The room was growing oppressively hot as the late morning turned into noon.

“There is harmony in both of your hearts,” she answered cryptically. “Even if there is not yet harmony between you.”

“What do you mean?” Meena looked from Sophie to Sol.

Even the unflappable Sol looked concerned.

“If ever I can help you, please feel free to ask.” She dipped her head. “Now.” She turned away, slipping behind a different colorful wall hanging. Meena had assumed it was a wall hanging, but apparently it also covered a door.

“Should we go?” Meena whispered.

Sol shook his head, watching the door where she had disappeared.

She returned a few moments later, carrying a folded parchment. “I believe this is from a friend.” She handed the paper to Sol.

He took it and slid it under the top layer of his doublet. “Thank you for your service,” he said.

“Go to your friends and assure them that your union has been dedicated.”

Sol turned toward the door, moving quickly. His hand covered his chest where the letter lay.

Meena did not blame him. She was eager to know what information had been sent to them. But she spared a moment to smile her thanks to Sophie before she hurried after Sol. It was good to know they had at least one ally in Falqri.

As soon as they stepped back out onto the street, Jules appeared in front of them, smiling expectantly. “Are you dedicated?” he asked. They must not have gone to the seamstress after all, though Meena did notice a sewing shop across the street.

“She said to tell you we were,” Meena replied, using the woman’s exact words, still uncomfortable with the thought of lying.

Jules wrinkled his nose, sniffing and smiling at the same time. “I knew you would love it.” He pulled Ezra into a close side hug. “How special that we got to be here to witness it. If you don’t mind my asking, what did she dedicate you to?”

Meena looked up at Sol. She had no idea what a union was supposed to be dedicated to, so she could not make up an answer. This custom was not common in Iseldis.

Sol shrugged. “I don’t recall.” He looked at Meena as though she were the reason he had not been paying attention to the woman’s blessing.

Even though she knew it was fake, she couldn’t control the flush that spread across her cheeks under his adoring gaze. She smiled shyly back at him, playing her part.

“You must know!” Jules insisted. “Let’s go back and ask her.”

“That’s not necessary,” Sol said.

“Come.” Jules walked between them and jumped down the stairs.

Meena followed, with Sol and Ezra close behind.

“Wise One.” Jules bowed as he entered the room without knocking. “These two lovebirds have already forgotten what you dedicated their future to?”

Sophie raised her eyebrows, deepening the creases that crossed her forehead. “To the future, of course.”

“I’m sorry?” Jules asked, confused.

“I dedicated their future to the future. That their harmony may ever increase.”

Jules nodded. “That is beautiful. Thank you for your time.” He bowed again and turned to leave the room.

Meena caught a quick wink from Sophie before they all left the room once more.

Meena walked slowly to match her pace to Sol’s as they moved down the street. With their keepers in front of them, she looked up at Sol. The woman’s words had been strangely appropriate. Meena hoped that there might be more than harmony in their future.

Sol held his arm out to her.

Meena slipped her hand inside his arm, turning her attention to the road ahead.

“What did she dedicate your union to?” Meena asked the couple in front of them.

“To love, of course!” Jules yelled over his shoulder.