Crystal Moon by Elysa Hendricks Page B

atmosphere had
    changed. People moved about with firmer steps. They hummed
    under their breath, and smiles hovered around their lips.
    “It’s as if she’s bewitched them.”
    Though Graham teased, Kyne could hear a note of awe in
    Graham’s whisper. “Other than a good example, I doubt she
    casts any spells.” Kyne glared at his friend. Though many of
    the common folk still believed in the old tales of witches and
    magic, Kyne gave little credence to superstitious nonsense.
    Whatever chore Sianna deemed necessary, she pitched in and
    did along with the others.
    Wheezing, the grandmotherly Grenna caught up with her
    charge. “Have a care, Zoa. You’ll lose your breath again, as
    I’ve lost mine trying to keep up with the likes of you.” She
    rested one palm over her ample bosom and fanned herself with
    her other hand. “Quit pestering the Rul. It’s time for little girls
    to be abed.”
    “But I’m not tired,” Zoa protested. She climbed into
    Sianna’s lap, wrapped her arms around her waist, and pouted.
    A ragged cough shook her body. At that small sound, Kyne’s
    hopes faded.
    Sianna’s arm curled protectively around the little girl. Her
    hand spread out over Zoa’s back, and she whispered something
    into the child’s ear. Around Sianna’s splayed fingers a warm,
    pinkish glow enveloped Zoa’s back. Kyne blinked, and the glow
    vanished. A mere trick of light?
    Zoa nodded and gave Sianna a tight hug.
    Grenna turned to Sianna. “Pardon, milady. A bath has been
    readied for you in Rul Cathor’s chamber, and I’ve found you
    some fresh clothing.”
     
    From the worn, grimy shirt and trousers Sianna wore,
    Grenna’s glare shifted to Kyne. Like a chastened child, his
    feeling of guilt over Sianna’s treatment increased.
    “A bath?”
    At her thankful disbelief, his guilt doubled.
    “Yes, milady. Later you can visit the bathing chambers, but
    after your long trip and tiring day, we, that is Betha and I, thought
    you might like the comfort and privacy of your chamber. Don’t
    dally now, or the water will grow cold.” Grenna held out her
    hand to Zoa. “Come now, poppet. To bed with you.”
    After giving Sianna another hug, Zoa bounced from her lap
    and skipped away alongside her nanny. Again, Zoa’s easy
    breathing and energy amazed Kyne.
    “Have you finished your meal?” Graham asked Sianna.
    “What?” Her blue eyes wide and wistful, she looked up,
    then back down at her empty plate. A blush spread over her
    cheeks. “Oh...yes....If you’ll excuse me.” She rose and hurried
    after Grenna and Zoa.
    Graham’s thick eyebrows lifted. Humor twinkled in his eyes
    as he asked, “Where do you think she puts it all?”
    Kyne barely heard Graham’s teasing question as he
    watched Sianna rush away. In minutes she would strip off the
    simple cotton shirt and wool trousers she wore and slide naked
    into steaming water. At the imagined image his mouth went
    dry. He jumped to his feet. The bench tipped over and clattered
    to the floor. Graham’s laughter followed him out of the hall into
    the night.
    Cool, moist air swirled around him, but didn’t douse the fire
    within.
    ***
    Kyne knew he should retire to his chamber, but the thought
    of Sianna in his bed, warm and damp from her bath, kept him
    standing in the chilly hall. Long after last meal, he stood at the
    top of the stairs and gazed down into the now quiet great hall.
    He shivered at the memory of the boy’s blade slicing above
    Sianna’s head. How close she’d come to death. Why didn’t the
    thought of her head separated from her body fill him with
    satisfaction, as it should? Even now, her foolish bravery made
     
    him go cold with dread.
    Though the big man made no sound, as usual, Kyne sensed
    Graham’s approach behind him.
    “Is it my imagination, or does the hall seem less chaotic
    since Sianna arrived?” Graham asked, his gaze directed at the
    makeshift infirmary. “It appears DiSanti’s daughter is truly