He put his brushes down and stared at her. “Do you think she’ll hurt you, Jude?”
She nearly drew back. “No.”
“Me? Someone else you care about?”
She shook her head.
“Then I can deal,” he said. “It took me a while to admit, but she wasn’t the only one who lied to us about who she is.”
Judit tried to parse that sentence and failed. “What?”
“She told us that she showed us only some of her true self, but you know who supplied the rest? Us.” He poked a finger at her and then at himself. “We built her up in our heads, made her someone she isn’t: the perfect princess. Maybe she did the same thing, but she isn’t holding that against us. We can’t blame her for not living up to these false expectations we had.”
Judit smiled widely. “I’m glad you feel that way. I’d hate to have to find an errand for her every time you want to speak with me.”
He laughed and went back to his makeup. “Well, as a bystander, I can be as resentful and bitter as I want to be. I can come to all your dinner parties and make snide comments.”
She had to smile. “But you’re clearly over it.”
He winked. The thought that Annika had guardian training hadn’t upset Judit because it was something she could understand, and because Annika knowing how to kick ass was really hot. But even after Annika had arrested her mother, it had taken time to put the new, suspicious Judit away. Knowing Annika was capable of the amount of lying she’d had to do, capable of smiling to their faces while planning to kill them, even if she didn’t want to…
Judit shook her head. The fact that Annika didn’t want to hurt them was the crux of the matter. If it had come down to it, Annika probably would have done something else. The moment she’d gotten out from under her grandmother’s thumb, she’d saved Noal’s life and confessed her love to Judit. All it had taken was a few hours outside of Nocturna’s plans, and she’d reverted to the woman she’d always wanted to be.
“Time to go.” Noal stood and held out an arm. “Shall we?”
“I need a minute alone.”
He gave her a long look before he nodded. “All right, but hurry up. House Penumbra waits for no one.”
“Let’s make that our new motto.”
He chuckled, kissed her on the cheek, then stepped outside her quarters. Judit checked herself in the mirror again, wondering at her sudden reluctance. She knew all her fears would blow away the moment she set eyes on Annika. They could do this. They could build a house together. They’d already laid the groundwork. Meridian was in good hands dissolving under Judit’s mother. Nocturna had split up surprisingly fast as all the Blood made grabs for power.
Someone knocked lightly on the door. Judit turned, ready to snap at Noal that she was coming, but pale fingers waved at her from between the slats of the air vent on the wall.
“What in the dark?”
“Can I come in?” Annika’s voice called.
Judit brayed a laugh. “What are you doing here?”
The vent swung outward and Annika popped out. She wore a yellow jumpsuit that was covered in stains from her trip through the vent. She had a scarf tied around her hair and dragged a black bag behind her. “I thought Noal would never leave,” she said as she grinned.
Judit reached to help her down, but Annika waved her away. “I don’t want to get your uniform dirty.” She winked. “Well, not yet.”
Judit chuckled again as desire swept through her, but she forced herself to stay back. “Are you getting married in that jumpsuit?”
Annika patted the bag. “I thought we could get ready together. Sorry I’m late.” She leaned forward for a kiss before slowly undoing the jumpsuit, bottom lip between her teeth. Judit whirled around, not trusting that she could keep her hands to herself. Annika’s chuckle was low and throaty, and Judit clenched her hands into fists.
“I thought I’d come check on you,” Annika said amidst the rustle of fabric. “Make sure you weren’t having second thoughts.”
“Never,” Judit said. “How in the dark did you sneak onto the Damat?”
“I have my ways. You can turn around now.”
Judit swallowed. Did she hope that Annika was clothed or naked? On the one hand, everyone was waiting for them. On the other, everyone could wait.
Annika looked…comfortable. That was the only word Judit could think of. Well, she was beautiful as always, but by her own admission, her clothing was usually functional, if only to elicit admiration or desire in the viewer. This dress was Penumbra blue, made of something lightweight, maybe even cotton. It fitted through the midsection and flared into a full skirt below her hips. It had long, fitted sleeves and a plain V-neck. She wore her red-gold hair down, cascading over her shoulders. Her face was bare and so lovely, Judit almost couldn’t look at her.
She turned slowly. “What do you think? I decided not to go military. I figured we should all wear what we want today.”
“It’s perfect. You’re beautiful.”
With a grin, Annika kissed Judit again. “So are you. I’ve never owned anything comfortable before. I think I love it.”
“And I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
Judit lifted an eyebrow. “Is that a challenge?”
“Oh yes, most definitely yes.”
As they kissed again, Noal banged on the door. “Are you two done in there, or do I need to find some entertainment for the waiting crowd?”
“He helped you sneak in here, didn’t he?” Judit asked.
“My lips are sealed.” She took Judit’s hand. “Let’s go get married. Our future’s waiting.”
Judit clasped her hand, kissed it, and they stepped to the door together toward a brighter fate than either had ever hoped for.
About the Author
Barbara Ann Wright writes fantasy and science fiction novels and short stories when not ranting on her blog. The Pyramid Waltz was one of Tor.com’s Reviewer’s Choice books of 2012, was a Foreword Review BOTYA Finalist, a Goldie finalist, and made Book Riot’s 100 Must-Read Sci-Fi Fantasy Novels By Female Authors. It also won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best Lesbian Fantasy. A Kingdom Lost and Thrall: Beyond Gold and Glory won the 2014 and 2016 Rainbow Awards for Best Lesbian Fantasy Romance, respectively. Coils was a finalist for the 2017 Lammys.
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
A Lamentation of Swans by Valerie Bronwen. Ariel Montgomery returns to Sea Oats to try to save her broken marriage but soon finds herself also fighting to save her own life and catch a murderer. (978-1-62639-828-3)
Between Sand and Stardust by Tina Michele. Are the lifelong bonds of love strong enough to conquer time, distance, and heartache when Haven Thorne and Willa Bennette are given another chance at forever? (978-1-62639-940-2)
House of Fate by Barbara Ann Wright. Two women must throw off the lives they’ve known as a guardian and an assassin and save two rival houses before their secrets tear the galaxy apart. (978-1-62639-780-4)
Planning for Love by Erin Dutton. Could true love be the one thing that wedding coordinator Faith McKenna didn’t plan for? (978-1-62639-954-9)
Sidebar by Carsen Taite. Judge Camille Avery and her clerk, attorney West Fallon, agree on little except their mutual attraction, but can their relationship and their careers survive a headline-grabbing case? (978-1-62639-752-1)
Sweet Boy and Wild One by T. L. Hayes. When Rachel Cole meets soulful singer Bobby Layton at an open mic, she is immediately in thrall. What she soon discovers will rock her world in ways she never imagined. (978-1-62639-963-1)
To Be Determined by Mardi Alexander and Laurie Eichler. Charlie Dickerson escapes her life in the US to rescue Australian wildlife with Pip Atkins, but can they save each other? (978-1-62639-946-4)
True Colors by Yolanda Wallace. Blogger Robby Rawlins plans to use First Daughter Taylor Crenshaw to get ahead, but she never planned on falling in love with her in the process. (978-1-62639-927-3)
U
ndercover Affairs by Julie Blair. Searching for stolen documents crucial to U.S. security, CIA agent Rett Spenser confronts lies, deceit, and unexpected romance as she investigates art gallery owner Shannon Kent. (978-1-62639-905-1)
Unexpected by Jenny Frame. When Dale McGuire falls for Rebecca Harper, the mother of the son she never knew she had, will Rebecca’s troubled past stop them from making the family they both truly crave? (978-1-62639-942-6)
Canvas for Love by Charlotte Greene. When ghosts from Amelia’s past threaten to undermine their relationship, Chloé must navigate the greatest romance of her life without losing sight of who she is. (978-1-62639-944-0)
Heart Stop by Radclyffe. Two women, one with a damaged body, the other a damaged spirit, challenge each other to dare to live again. (978-1-62639-899-3)
Repercussions by Jessica L. Webb. Someone planted information in Edie Black’s brain and now they want it back, but with the protection of shy former soldier Skye Kenny, Edie has a chance at life and love. (978-1-62639-925-9)
Spark by Catherine Friend. Jamie’s life is turned upside down when her consciousness travels back to 1560 and lands in the body of one of Queen Elizabeth I’s ladies-in-waiting…or has she totally lost her grip on reality? (978-1-62639-930-3)
Taking Sides by Kathleen Knowles. When passion and politics collide, can love survive? (978-1-62639-876-4)
Thorns of the Past by Gun Brooke. Former cop Darcy Flynn’s heart broke when her career on the force ended in disgrace, but perhaps saving Sabrina Hawk’s life will mend it in more ways than one. (978-1-62639-857-3)
You Make Me Tremble by Karis Walsh. Seismologist Casey Radnor comes to the San Juan Islands to study an earthquake but finds her heart shaken by passion when she meets animal rescuer Iris Mallery. (978-1-62639-901-3)
Complications by MJ Williamz. Two women battle for the heart of one. (978-1-62639-769-9)
Crossing the Wide Forever by Missouri Vaun. As Cody Walsh and Lillie Ellis face the perils of the untamed West, they discover that love’s uncharted frontier isn’t for the weak in spirit or the faint of heart. (978-1-62639-851-1)
Fake It till You Make It by M. Ullrich. Lies will lead to trouble, but can they lead to love? (978-1-62639-923-5)
Girls Next Door, edited by Sandy Lowe and Stacia Seaman. Best-selling romance authors tell it from the heart—sexy, romantic stories of falling for the girls next door. (978-1-62639-916-7)
Pursuit by Jackie D. The pursuit of the most dangerous terrorist in America will crack the lines of friendship and love, and not everyone will make it out from under the weight of duty and service. (978-1-62639-903-7)
The Practitioner by Ronica Black. Sometimes love comes calling whether you’re ready for it or not. (978-1-62639-948-8)
Unlikely Match by Fiona Riley. When an ambitious PR exec and her super-rich coding geek-girl client fall in love, they learn that giving something up may be the only way to have everything. (978-1-62639-891-7)
Where Love Leads by Erin McKenzie. A high school counselor and the mom of her new student bond in support of the troubled girl, never expecting deeper feelings to emerge, testing the boundaries of their relationship. (978-1-62639-991-4)
Forsaken Trust by Meredith Doench. When four women are murdered, Agent Luce Hansen must regain trust in her most valuable investigative tool—herself—to catch the killer. (978-1-62639-737-8)
Letter of the Law by Carsen Taite. Will federal prosecutor Bianca Cruz take a chance at love with horse breeder Jade Vargas, whose dark family ties threaten everything Bianca has worked to protect—including her child? (978-1-62639-750-7)
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