Free Impending Reprisals by Jolyn Palliata Page A

her eyes and her face brightened. “Yes, I can see you have.” She pulled Anya to her feet, enveloping her in a great hug as she laughed, and cried. “Such adventures you will have, Anya, and such happiness. Lord Merivic will treat you well, and you will share an unforgettable love. I am certain of it.”
    Sedalene pulled back, her hands still on Anya’s shoulders, and she beamed. Anya smiled in return and giggled as she scrubbed at her tears with the back of her hand.
    “You should go tell your father at once. He will be so pleased!”
    Anya knew her father would be happy with her decision, but her mirth faded when she thought of the unavoidable consequences.
    “What is it?”
    “I will miss you both so much.”
    “Oh,” Sedalene scoffed as she waved her hand in the air. “We will have plenty of time to worry about that.” She hooked her arm around Anya’s as she led her out of the room. “We have a wedding to plan first, and we need to begin straight away. There is so much to prepare for.”
    “I wonder…”
    “Yes?”
    “Do you think Merivic will be able to stay for the preparations, or will he have to leave and come back? Surely he cannot be absent from his kingdom for much longer.”
    “He can if he has good people in his stead. But if he should have to leave, I cannot imagine he would do so for very long.” Sedalene rubbed Anya’s forearm. “Do not fret, my child. You know he could not tolerate being away from you for any length of time.”
    “Thank you, Seda. Oh, I will miss you dearly when the time does arise.”
    “As I will miss you, my dear Anya. You are like a daughter to me.” Sedalene pointedly looked away as her voice caught with emotions. Clearing her throat, she continued, “But you will not be rid of us so quickly. Your father and I will be sure to visit often.”
    Anya laughed and leaned her head onto her nanny’s shoulder. “You had better. And maybe the time on the road together will finally bring you two together.”
    Sedalene stiffened. “Whatever are you talking about?”
    “Oh, stop, Seda. I know how you feel about Father. With me no longer around to tend to, you should see what can become of it.”
    “Anya! I do not—”
    “Please,” Anya protested, rolling her eyes. “It is obvious, so do not even attempt to deny it.”
    Sedalene’s face warmed as they entered the training room and spotted Chiberus sparring with another soldier. She leaned down to Anya’s ear, never averting her gaze from Chiberus across the way. “Do you think he knows?” she whispered.
    “He has not a clue,” Anya hissed back. “But you can change that.” She winked at Sedalene as she unhooked her arm and called out to her father.
    “Well,” her nanny mumbled, smoothing out her dress as Chiberus approached. “I will leave you two alone.” She turned on her heel and nearly sprinted from the room.
    Anya held in her giggle as she watched Seda retreat. She did not want to be in the position to explain her mirth to her father who might ask for the cause, especially since he had most certainly witnessed Sedalene’s hasty exit.
    “Where is Sedalene off to in such a hurry?”
    Anya shrugged, feigning an innocent expression. “Do you have a moment? I would like to speak with you about Lord Merivic.”
    *****
    “So, what did he say?” Sedalene inquired, pulling up the back of Anya’s evening gown.
    “Oh, Seda, you should have seen his face! I do not think I have ever seen Father so happy.”
    “I regret to have missed that.” She yanked the back of the dress together and hooked the top, causing Anya to gasp. “I apologize, my child. I may have pulled it up too high.” She eased the garment down a bit and buttoned it up. “There we go!”
    “Oh. Where did those come from?”
    “What?” Sedalene spun Anya around. “Oh, my!”
    “Indeed.” Anya stared down at her breasts, pushed up by the tight, low-cutting fabric into very definable, fleshy mounds.
    “They came from the cut of