For one moment I considered running. I could be down the hill by another path before the Gentle Lord knew I was gone, and then . . .
. . . and then he would hunt me down, take me by force, and kill Astraia.
There was only one choice I could make.
I realized I was shaking. I still wanted to run. But I was doomed in any case, so I might at least die saving the sister I had wronged. I thought about how much I hated the Gentle Lord, how much I wanted to show him that requesting a captive bride was the worst mistake he’d ever make. While that hate still flickered within me, I marched up to the wooden door of the tower and banged on it.
The door swung open silently.
I stepped through before I could change my mind, and the door promptly slammed shut. I flinched at the crash but managed to stop myself from trying to tug it open again. I wasn’t supposed to escape.
Instead I looked about me. I was in a round foyer the size of my bedroom with white walls, a blue tiled floor, and a very high ceiling. Though from the outside it had looked as if there were nothing of the house but one lonely tower, this room had five mahogany doors, each carved with a different pattern of fruits and flowers. I tried them, but they were all locked.
Was that a laugh? I went still, my heart thumping. But if the noise had been real, it did not repeat. I circled the room again, this time pounding on each of the doors, but there was still no response.
“I’m here!” I shouted. “Your bride! Congratulations on your marriage!”
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About the Author
Photo credit Janelle Bighinatti
ROSAMUND HODGE grew up in Los Angeles, where she spent her time reading everything she could get her hands on but especially fantasy and mythology. She received a BA in English from the University of Dallas and an MSt in medieval English from Oxford. She now lives in Seattle, Washington. Visit her online at www.rosamundhodge.net.
Copyright
GILDED ASHES: A CRUEL BEAUTY NOVELLA
Text copyright © 2014 by Rosamund Hodge
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EPub Edition © APRIL 2014 ISBN: 9780062266804
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