Crystal Moon by Elysa Hendricks

as she moved around offering
    advice and a helping hand where needed. He said nothing when
    she gave orders to the men and boys to sweep the stone floors
    and had them lay sweet-smelling, fresh grasses. Nor did he
    object as she directed the scrubbing of the hall’s massive hearth
    or when she exiled the hounds to the courtyard.
    What did he think of her efforts? Though in truth she was
    his prisoner, he granted her more liberty than she’d ever known.
    After the strict regime of the valetudinarian and her father’s
    even harsher rule, this taste of freedom, though false, was heady
    indeed.
    Why did he let her mingle with his people? Let them come
    to know her? Allow her to guide and direct them? His steady
    gaze made her anxious and filled her with a longing for something
    she couldn’t name.
    Graham’s hand on her shoulder startled her, and she dropped
    the rag she was using to scrub the last long trestle table.
    “Stop now,” he said. “Sit and eat last meal with the others.”
    “There is still much to do. I’ll eat later.” Sianna snatched
    up the rag and took another swipe at a stubborn stain. Only
     
    hard work took her mind from thoughts of her father’s crimes
    and questions about her fate at the hands of his enemies. The
    mouthwatering smell of Betha’s cooking filled the great hall,
    replacing the previous rank odors. The loud gurgle from Sianna’s
    stomach made her blush and remember her lessons from the
    Sisters. A lady should never reveal bodily functions.
    Graham chuckled, took the rag from her fingers, and pushed
    her down onto the bench. “You’ve done enough for one day.”
    “But I....” Sianna protested.
    “Dravid,” he called to a passing lad. “Fetch the Lady Sianna
    a plate and bring me one as well.”
    “You are a kind man.” His gruff consideration for one he
    thought of as an enemy touched her. Though he didn’t yet trust
    her, his doubts about her guilt eased some of her pain.
    A hint of color stained his cheeks. “Not kind, merely hungry.
    And I dislike eating alone.”
    She refrained from pointing out the many others he could
    choose to dine with. From across the room she could feel
    Katya’s hostile glare. “I wish Kyne could look beyond my birth
    as well, and see me for who I am.” The wistful words slipped
    out before she could prevent them.
    “And just who are you?”

Without betraying Laila, she couldn’t answer Graham’s
    pointed question. She ducked her head.
    “May I join you for last meal?”
    Her gaze flew up to meet Kyne’s. Hard and cold like a
    winter wind, his gaze pierced her. His stare drove the warmth
    of accomplishment from her. Could she do nothing to please
    him? His unjustified anger stirred her own, and her tongue acted
    without her permission. “Why would you wish to eat with me?
    How can you bear to be near me? I am my father’s daughter.”
    Immediately, she regretted her outburst and vowed not to let
    him bait her again.
    Kyne’s eyes narrowed and his lips tightened, but Sianna
    couldn’t tell if her outburst had angered or hurt him. Nor, she
    decided, did she care. His feelings were not her concern, and
    she’d already survived his anger.
    Graham grabbed Kyne’s arm and pulled him down onto
     
    the bench. “Quit squabbling like discontented children. You spoil
    my appetite.”
    In the sudden silence, Dravid arrived with a tray carrying
    two plates heaped high with food, a pitcher of ale and two
    glasses. With a shy smile for Sianna he served them.
    “Thank you. Would you bring a plate for Rul Cathor as
    well?” she asked.
    The boy nodded and hurried off.
    “Dravid is besotted with you. They all jump to do your
    bidding.” Kyne sneered and waved his arm toward the others
    busy eating their meal. “Have you put a spell on them?”
    “No.” Spurred by his uncalled-for sarcasm, her tongue again
    slipped its leash. “I just treat them as I would like to be treated.
    It’s a lesson you might do well to learn.”
    Kyne’s