by Ann Aguirre
Pru nodded. “If people are to accept her fully, that’s important. You’re their leader, but you should care how they feel, too.”
“Then what should we do?” he asked.
“Give me two hours,” she said. “Put on your best suit and meet me at the club where Joss has been performing.”
He blinked. Joss had said that her cousin was industrious, but this was another level entirely. Dominic Asher must get moved like a knight on a chessboard. Silently he gave thanks for Joss’s impulsive cheer and her whirlwind kindness.
Callum didn’t have any formal wear, as he’d worn monk regalia for such occasions, so he just put on his usual clothes. He turned up not knowing what to expect, but there was an audience assembled, speculating amongst themselves.
“I thought Joss wasn’t performing tonight, but I heard that there’s a special show. Do you think it’s victory-themed?”
Ah, so that’s the plan.
Quietly, he slipped backstage to await his cue, hoping Pru would make it obvious. He could hear the front filling up, and he couldn’t settle, pacing back and forth instead. Really, he should be dressed better, not in cargo pants and work boots. She loves you; it’ll be fine.
“Using my club to propose. I should charge you a premium,” Nayan said.
He turned. “Good luck with that. Monks take a vow of poverty, and the war left Burnt Amber finances a bit wretched.”
“I’m teasing, you lummox. Congratulations by the way.”
“Thanks but maybe hold that thought until I succeed.”
“Joss is wild about you. It’ll be fine,” the old woman predicted.
Nayan headed through the wings, and he heard her greeting patrons in a warm, velvety voice. Callum expected to be alone until the curtain went up, but someone else slipped backstage and found his hiding place. Renna. Damn, he still didn’t know how to treat her.
“Pru told me where to find you. I’m sorry for barging in but this can’t wait, and I won’t be a coward any longer. I shouldn’t have asked Joss to intercede.”
“What are you talking about?”
Renna took a deep breath and confessed. He listened with growing shock and anger, and when she finished, she drew her shoulders in as if he might throttle her. Callum sighed.
“I’m fucking furious, but not at you. In a situation like this, it’s more important to understand the reason behind a crime than it is to punish. Joss mentioned at the conclave that your family might be captive in Golgerra. Prince Alastor agreed to search for them, but he did say it wouldn’t be swift.”
“That’s it? I’m a thief!” She appeared oddly indignant, hands akimbo like she might fight him over this forgiveness.
“Then give back to the community. You seem to enjoy working with children, and there are many from Bright’s Landing who could use some extra attention.”
Tears brightened her eyes and she ducked her head, long hair tumbling to veil her face. “I see why she loves you. If Beren had been more like you, I would mourn him with all my heart.”
That addressed how Renna had felt about his uncle, poor old bear. “I was more like him than I’d prefer to admit, until I met Joss. She taught me how to be gentle, how to care about people.”
“She’s wonderful. I promise I’ll support her as the lady of Burnt Amber, whatever my word means. Oh! Pru sent me to tell you, when Joss starts singing “Dare to Dream”, you enter stage right. That’s where we are now, in case you didn’t know. Sorry again that I dumped this on you amid such a momentous occasion.”
“No, I’m glad that you felt comfortable enough to address it with me directly. Not many people have the courage. It’s like they think I’ll take their heads off.” And once, he might have done exactly that.
“I’ll pass it on that your bark is worse than your bite.”
“Maybe don’t spread it too far. I’m fine with people viewing me with a bit of a fearful respect.”
Renna laughed, finally shedding the invisible weight that he’d attributed to grief, but it must’ve been guilt. “You just want them to pester Joss instead. Good luck, Callum. Not that I think you need it. If ever I’ve witnessed two people who belong together, it’s you and Joss.”
From his hidden vantage, he heard the show begin and he imagined Joss being startled from a sound sleep with her cousin frantically reminding her that she was about to miss her own performance. The mental picture made him smile, and a few songs into her set, he recognized the opening lines of “Dare to Dream.”
You’re too good to be true
And I’m hopelessly falling for you
To touch forever, it truly seems
That we must only dare to dream.
This was his favorite among Joss’s originals, and it was fitting that she sang it with aching beauty as he stepped into the spotlight. Goddess but he felt awkward with the light shining in his eyes. He couldn’t see the audience, only Joss, sitting at the piano in that red dress that made her look so sexy that his heart threatened to explode every time she wore it.
Her voice faltered mid-note when she saw him and she was asking a thousand questions with her incredible eyes. He answered by dropping to his knees, not one but both, in the posture of a penitent monk, because he knew that pose best. Shit. I probably should have worked out what to say.
“Joss Bristow, in the company of these witnesses, will you formally agree to be mine and to lead Burnt Amber with me?”
“Yes!” Sheer joy radiated from her as she leapt up from the piano bench, and she came running at him, top speed.
Here, he knew precisely what to do because she made a career out of leaping before she looked. That was fine, because he would always catch her. And he did, firmly against his chest, and he kissed the hell out of her because that seemed the right way to end a proposal. Not that he had any experience in such matters.
Quietly, someone slipped a ring into his hand as they broke apart. Callum glanced over his shoulder to see Pru melting into the crowd. He took Joss’s hand and slipped the ring on, and her eyes widened.
“This belonged to my grandmother! How…?”
“I have my ways,” he said.
Callum had no notion why Pru was so well-prepared, but he decided then and there never to negotiate with Ash Valley. As a tactical planner, that woman would be ten steps ahead, ready to address any of his objections or demands.
Nayan had staff with drinks circling, and the show swiftly evolved into a party. They received congratulations in endless waves: Thalia and Raff, Alastor and Sheyla, Trini and Emilia, Phelan and his family. Even the abbot came to formally exalt their union. But he leveled a stern stare on Callum.
“You should hear the citizens talking. Miracle of the Fishes! They’re ready to sanctify you. It’s borderline heresy, I tell you.” But his twinkling gaze gave him away. “I wish you both great happiness.”
Andar came last, clasping him in a warm embrace. “I never saw this coming, but I’m glad for you. Though I can’t call you ‘brother’ anymore, I hope your children will address me as uncle.”
“That’s a deal if we have any,” Callum said with a glance at Joss.
She smiled and linked her arm through his. “We’ll talk about that eventually. More importantly, is there a recording studio here? Anyone who can produce for me or do I need to go to Hallowell? I was wondering, does it really get so cold that we use tunnels in the winter like burrowing creatures? We also need to talk about our housing situation because I’d really prefer—”
“I can see that I’m extraneous.” Andar slipped away while Joss was talking, and Callum watched his friend go with a sense of bittersweet inevitability.
For the new life to begin the old one must end.
He had no regrets. No matter how many times he walked this path, even if it cost his very soul, he would always choose Joss. Always. But as he gazed down at her, chattering brightly to someone new—such sweetness and spark—he believed with all his heart that the heavens had sent her. In a relatively short time, he had t
raded bleak obedience for breathless adoration.
And he would spend the rest of his days worshiping at the altar of her body, ever after eliciting the gift of her most secret music.
Author’s Note
I’m so thrilled that you read The War Priest and hope you’re eager for more in the Ars Numina world. The War Priest is the fifth book in a projected six-book series, as follows:
The Leopard King
The Demon Prince
The Wolf Lord
The Shadow Warrior
The War Priest
The Jaguar Knight
Would you like to know when the next book will be available and/or keep up with exciting news? Visit my website at www.annaguirre.com/contact and sign up for my newsletter. Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/msannaguirre, or “like” my Facebook fan page at facebook.com/ann.aguirre for exclusive content, contests, and fun swag.
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