The Spirit Walker (BOOK ONE): The Ripple

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Queen Voudon

"I don't like this," I whisper, and Ness sucks her teeth.

"Yeah, well... There's plenty I don't like about all this. Least of which is having to see Calum's dick on a fucking daily basis. But here we are."

I grimace and flush, and then scowl. "At least it's a nice dick," I grumble under my breath, and Ness makes a face.

"Sweetheart, there is no such thing."

I snort, my breath frosting in the night air, and Ness grins. Self consciously, I fiddle with the linen wrap Elder Diyani had wound around my head to mask the color of my hair. Apparently, it is a common practice here in the Drummond lands. While common in the Highlands, my coloring is much less frequently seen here, in the Drummond lowlands, or so I was informed.

Ness swats my head away. "You're drawing attention to yourself."

I tuck myself closer to the building, away from the prying eyes of whatever souls are wandering the street at this God-forsaken hour.

"I still can't believe you all poisoned me without telling me first."

"Look, for what it's worth I disagreed, but the Elder pulled rank. There were going to be pictures. She was worried..."

"That I would have known why I was puking over the side of the ship? Sure that makes sense."

"Laird Drummond is renowned for his ability to read people," she says, mockingly exaggerating Elder Diyani's pattern of speech, and making air quotes with her fingers. "He will likely look through every photograph taken. The slightest hint that her illness was planned will be enough to ruin everything."

She rolls her eyes and I snort.

"You think the servants have figured out that it's Maise in my bed yet?"

"Her hair color's the same as yours. So long as she doesn't do anything stupid like talk or roll over so that they can see her face, your cover shouldn't be blown. Besides, the elder is sitting there to make everything look legit."

"I wish she was here," I murmur, and Ness elbows me.

"Gee, thanks."

"You know what I mean. This is an Aniwodi ritual- they're not going to let you in there with me. I hate the rituals. I always get drugged- or worse. And this one... this one is different. They have rituals like this in my world. They're... dark."

Ness sucks her teeth. "I get it, but we didn't have much of a choice. No one will believe that's you in that bed if Elder Diyani leaves. I know fuck all about medicine. And if you want to keep up the charade..."

"I know, I know," I murmur, and lean my head back against the wall. "How much longer do you think we'll have to wait?"

"What do I look like? A crystal ball?"

I roll my eyes.

"The banquet started a few hours ago- Elder Chenoa hates that shit. She always makes an escape as soon as possible. It should be soon."

"I just want to get this over with."

Ness scrunches her nose. "You and me both. The second you hump your way back to sanity, I'm taking a few months off with Bugger. Hire a couple of sexy stable hands. I think I'll pay them extra to get all sudsed up, wash him naked... have myself a grand old time."

"I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth."

Ness snickers.

There is the sound of the turning of a heavy lock, and Ness and I lapse into silence. The door swings open.