Breath of Heaven by Cindy Holby

Madwyn. She saw that Madwyn had changed into the clothing that she kept at Aubregate, clothing that was usually reserved for special occasions or visitors. “Who is he? What is his business here?”
    Madwyn held up a hand as she composed herself. Still, her eyes danced merrily while she led Eliane from the hallway into her chamber. “Hush, child,” she whispered, “lest he hear your shrewish questions.”
    “Shrewish?” Eliane gasped before Madwyn placed her hand over her mouth to quiet her. “This is my home and I am entitled to ask questions of strangers whoenter,” she said when Madwyn released her and the door was safely closed behind them.
    “It is your father’s business and he will let you know all in good time,” Madwyn assured her. “But first we must make sure you are suitably dressed to meet this visitor.” The older woman went to the chest that held Eliane’s gowns.
    “Tell me what you know, Madwyn,” Eliane said. She crossed her arms and plopped down on her bed. “I will not move until you do.” Llyr, seeing her position, jumped up on the bed and stretched out in his usual place.
    “Then we are agreed,” Madwyn replied tartly. “Since it is your father’s desire that you stay in place until he calls for you.” She rummaged through the chest, holding different gowns up to examine their worthiness.
    Eliane bounced off the bed. “Am I to be kept prisoner?”
    Madwyn grabbed Eliane’s hands and led her back to the bed. “You are to obey your father,” she said. “As you promised you would.” She stroked her hand down the side of Eliane’s head. Her hair was once more neatly braided after the thorough washing and brushing Madwyn had given it the night before. “We will dress you in your finest,” she said, “and loosen your hair as befitting a maiden.”
    Eliane bit her lip as she looked into Madwyn’s eyes. “Because I am about to meet the man my father has chosen for me to marry?” A shiver of fear trembled down her spine.
    “Yes,” Madwyn said.
    “Who is he? Where does he come from?” Thequestions formed quicker than she could ask them. “What does he look like? Is he old? Young? Can he hold a sword? Is he clean? Does he have all his teeth or is his mouth filled with rot?” The thought of giving the kiss of peace to someone with rotten teeth made her stomach roll in protest.
    Madwyn put a finger to her mouth to quiet Eliane. “I am glad to hear the questions of a normal maiden,” she said. “The normal fears—”
    “There is nothing normal about this,” Eliane said. She looked about her chamber as if it would offer some means of escape.
    “Yes, there is,” Madwyn assured her. “How many maidens do you suppose have asked these same questions before meeting the men they are to marry?”
    “How many maidens have the legacy that I have?” Eliane cried out. “How many maidens carry the secrets that I must carry? How many maidens have to protect what I am presworn to protect?”
    “The situation may be different, but the feelings are the same,” Madwyn soothed. “Do you not trust your father?” she asked. “Because that is what it comes down to.”
    “Tell me, Madwyn,” Eliane said. “What did you see in yon chamber?”
    “I saw a man eager to have a wife,” Madwyn said with a quick smile. “One who is most handsome, and strong, and young…and with all his teeth.”
    “In truth?” Eliane asked anxiously.
    “In truth,” Madwyn replied.
    Footsteps sounded in the hall. They both looked toward the closed portal. Llyr jumped from the bed and went to the door. He lay down and sniffed at thecrack as a hard rap sounded on another door. A deep voice responded and the door across the hall opened and closed.
    “Come,” Madwyn said with a smile. “Let us prepare you to meet your husband.”
    As Madwyn led her to choose her gown, Eliane realized she did not even know her intended husband’s name.

Chapter Eight
    H e was to marry Lord Edward’s daughter. That