Anti Heiress

Chapter 9

"This is a lovely castle," Malissa says, climbing down from our horse. She lifts the ruby scarf off her head and pulls her hair out. Gold earrings sway in her ears. I love seeing her dressed so beautfiully again. It's part of the reason I looked forward to any formal events at court, because Malissa always managed to look so stunning. 

"It is," I agree, climbing down behind her. The castle is larger than ours, and looks as if someone has taken the time to scrub the brick facade. We don't have a ladder for Malissa to do that, not that she likely would, anyway. A yellow flag with an eagle billows atop one of the turrets. It looks nearly orange in the setting sun.

I take Malissa's hand and walk her up to the engraved wooden door. I bang the knocker against the heavy door and wait. "This could be fun," I say with a hopeful smile. "And perhaps we could made friends. It's better than being cramped inside the castle."

"It is," Malissa agrees with a slight eyebrow raise. Talise was disappointed to say the least when I told her of my plans with Malissa. She then resolved to spend the time writing some friends and reading some of her new books.

The door opens. A young man in patterned yellow robes answers. "Good evening," he says, bowing to Malissa and I. He gestures for us to follow him. "Lord Damon is waiting for you both in the dining room."

"Thank you," Malissa says as he shuts the door behind us. "I suppose we were right to look nice."  The stone floor is so clean I can see the reflection of my boots. The walls in the wide hallways are decorated with extravagant glittering tapestries of gods and monsters, and stories from folklore. There were similar versions in the palace sitting rooms. Tall, painted clay vases hold exotic green plants. Though no one in this small town is poor by any means, I doubt they're as wealthy as Damon.

"Do you think he's a smuggler?" Malissa whispers. She shudders as we pass two stuffed lion heads. When we lived at the palace, she always averted her eyes when passing the trophies in the hallways. They always made me envious that I wasn't allowed to hunt. 

I shrug. "Maybe he's a pirate," I suggest, grinning at Malissa. She rolls her eyes and pushes my shoulder. At least she's gotten over herself from yesterday. I slip my hand into hers.

The servant pushes open the door to the dining room. Several delicious smells fill my nose that same instant. For a moment, it smells like that palace and it nearly makes me sad, eager as I was to escape. "Lord Aros and the Lady Malissa," he announces.

Damon turns away from his conversation with his wife to look at us. He nods the servant farewell. "The two of you look immaculate," he greets, opening his arms wide. "Please, sit sit!"

I follow Malissa to the large square table and pull her chair out for her. The chairs and tables are made from a dark cherry wood and have the same ornate, geometric carvings. The cushions don't remind me of anything I've seen, but I like the bright patterns. Tapestries cover the walls in here, too. The room is bathed in golden candlelight.

"Allow me to introduce you to my lovely wife, Suvia." Damon beams proudly. His wife doesn't appear to be from our country. Her skin is much darker and her features are rounder, but her eyes gleam gold. Her hair is decorated with glittering twine.

"Your home is beautiful," Malissa compliments, smiling.

"Thank you." Suvia has a light, songlike voice like Talise. "I make it my business to collect as many intriguing, exotic things as I can. Go on, eat." She stands to lift the coverings off of ornate silver dishes.

I don't have to be told twice. I appreciate Malissa's cooking, but I haven't seen such a grand meal since I lived at the palace. I don't know what to reach for first- the spiced chicken or the lamb, or roasted potatoes. Suvia pours Malissa and I each a glass of wine. Malissa and I reach for my plate at the same time. We have a silent strandoff, and Malissa relents. She doesn't ever let me serve myself. But I would think a man is supposed to, at least if he has no servants to serve him. But I'm not sure.