Born of Stone by Missy Jane Page B

hands flat on the bed and closing the distance until he could easily reach her for a kiss. “I don’t like the idea of you working yourself to death while I’m gone. Is there any way I can convince you to simply stay up here, in my room?”
    She laughed until she realized he was serious. “But Orestes…what would I do all day? It’s not in me to simply lounge the hours away.”
    He sighed and straightened to run his hands over his face. Then he set them on his hips and looked around his spacious room. She also looked around. There were books and parchment but she didn’t have the knowledge for either. Perhaps he had clothes to mend? She could also keep the room clean, but that certainly wouldn’t take more than an hour of her time.
    “No,” he said finally. “I don’t suppose there is much to do here while I’m gone.”
    He paced back and forth before her and her heart melted a little more. Could this mean he truly cared for her?
    “What if…” He headed for the fire and gazed into its depths as if seeking inspiration. Then he finally looked her way again. “What if I asked Wynn to assign you to the library? You could keep it dusted and organized. Perhaps there is more in there to do. I’m sure it can be made into a full-time job.”
    She sat up slowly, afraid her joy would make her burst. It took a moment for her to find her tongue. “The library? You would trust me with your library?”
    He finally seemed to realize her excitement and grinned as he neared the bed again. “Yes, my little star. I think you would be perfect in there.”
    She jumped to her feet and leapt right off the bed into his arms. He laughed aloud and spun her around.
    “Oh, Orestes! I’ve always wanted to see a library.”
    He kissed her hard, but it soon turned into a soft melding of their lips. After a moment, he finally pulled back so she could catch her breath.
    “Well then, my sweet, I think it’s high time you saw ours. Put on one of your new gowns and we’ll go now. Then I’ll find Wynn and tell him of your new assignment.”
    Tears burned her eyes but she valiantly fought them. They always seemed to distress him, even the happy ones. With a nod, she kissed him then slipped from his grip. He let her go slowly. She ran to the wooden crate his brother had delivered just that morning and pulled out one of the beautiful dresses inside. It too had her holding back fresh tears. Could this really be happening to her?
    She pulled the soft, silk piece over her head and let it fall down her naked body. With a sigh, she smoothed it into place and spun on her heel to find Orestes watching her. She held out her arms and spun again.
    “What do you think?” she asked.
    He smiled and closed the distance between them. “Beautiful.”
    “Yes, it is. I can’t thank you enough.”
    He laughed. “I wasn’t talking about the dress. Though it’s very lovely too.”
    A small laugh escaped before she could stop it. She was just so damn happy, it was almost frightening. He moved past her to fish the matching shoes from the crate, and a matching ribbon for her hair. Then he went down on one knee to slip the shoes onto her feet. He handed her the ribbon and she quickly pulled her hair into a braid. He grabbed his last few weapons then turned to her with a small, jewel-encrusted dagger. It was so tiny he could hide it in the palm of his hand.
    “I want you to have this, Astrid. Keep it on you at all times, understand?”
    “Oh…”
    She didn’t know what to say. She’d never owned a weapon before, and this one was beautiful.
    “It doesn’t look like much but it’s sharp. If any man tries to touch you in my absence, use it.”
    That brought her head up quickly and she frowned at him. “I won’t be leaving the castle unless I’m forced to.”
    “Good.” He nodded in approval. “At least two of my brothers will remain here for protection, but just in case. I’d feel better knowing you can defend yourself if needed.”
    She wasn’t