“I have bread, cheese, and fruit enough for both of us. And a skin of water for you, steeped with mint.” He guided her through the central courtyard. “My physician tells me it is quite good for stomach ailments, but I find the mint clears my head if I have not slept well.”
He had thought of everything, and now he held her hand, it was clear he had no intention of letting her go. Her fingers twitched, but he only threaded her arm through his, smiling down at her as if he did not hold her trapped at his side.
“I hope you had a pleasant night, my lady.”
She flushed, her gaze falling to his bare shoulder, and the glint of scattered golden hairs across the expanse of his chest. “I fear I slept poorly.”
“That has ever been my own experience beneath a strange roof,” he said, leading her between the tall columns and down the wide porch steps. The palace walls loomed over them, but Pirithous turned away from the gates. He frowned slightly. “I much prefer to sleep upon the porch, or a balcony, where I might see the stars. As long as I can see the sky, I know myself free.”
“Free of what?” she asked, in spite of herself. There was something about his expression that drew her, and a distance in his eyes she did not like. “I cannot imagine any man imprisoning a son of Zeus.”
“No,” he agreed. “But it is a dream which haunts me all the same. Blackness and unbreakable restraints.” His frown deepened, then he shook his head and laughed, his eyes warming again when they found hers. “It is nothing, I am sure. Just a child’s fear of the dark, poorly remembered. The night has ever been my friend.”
TAMER OF HORSES will be available October 3, 2016, and you DON'T need to have read HELEN OF SPARTA or BY HELEN'S HAND to enjoy it, but you'll definitely see some familiar faces if you have! :)
And those of you wondering -- the cover art went out YESTERDAY to newsletter subscribers, and you can pre-order it NOW for kindle!
Amazon | Barnes&Noble | IndieBound
No comments:
Post a Comment