Free The Hermetica of Elysium (Elysium Texts Series) by Annmarie Banks Page A

will tell all tomorrow.”
    “Of course, forgive me, my friend. Let me get the servants to prepare a room for you.”
    Beniste left the room without another word. As Nadira warmed by the fire, she felt dangerously close to sleep herself. Fortunately, the older woman returned with a tray followed by three younger women, also bearing food and drink.
    The men reached for the food before it had even been set down. Nadira was given half a loaf of bread and a joint of some kind of fowl. A tankard of ale was set near her. So busy was she eating she did not even look up to see how the others fared. Afterwards she drained the cup and sat back.
    Garreth fell forward with a thud onto his arms, making the cutlery on the table bounce. Moments later enormous snores erupted from beneath his huge arms. Alisdair, too, was nodding off. His hair had come loose from its braids, tangled in his eyes and crumbs lay scattered in his beard. Montrose was pale and drawn. His tankard was empty. Thick black locks of hair fell over his face, making it difficult to see his eyes. He seemed to be staring off into the murky corners of the room.
    A young woman entered the room with a pitcher in one hand. She glanced at Nadira, raised the pitcher and her eyebrow at the same time. Nadira nodded and pushed her cup forward. The woman moved closer and poured dark red wine into her cup. As she poured, she whispered, “Can I bring you some fresh clothes?”
    Nadira smiled at the idea of fresh clothing, perhaps even a bath. She couldn’t keep the eagerness out of her voice as she answered. “Please, if you could, and some hot water for washing and perhaps some clean linen for my master’s wounds.”
    The woman stopped pouring, “Lord Montrose is injured?” She turned to look over her shoulder at Montrose.
    “Yes.” Nadira answered with a frown, for a strange feeling had passed over her at the sound of the woman’s concern. The woman eyed Montrose as she filled his cup, and Nadira watched her.
    She passed by Nadira on her way out of the room. “I’ll bring you what you need,” she whispered.
    “Thank you.”
    Montrose did not seem to notice the exchange; he had not even touched his wine but was staring straight ahead, as he had been for a while. In fact, now he appeared alarmingly pale. Nadira made to move closer and speak to him when Beniste returned. He took in the situation at once. He smiled at Nadira and sat beside her. “You are the only one awake, milady.”’
    “Sir, you are mistaken. I am no lady, but a servant myself. And I believe my lord is still awake.”
    Beniste’s eyes smiled at her. “It pains me to contradict you, but Lord Montrose is quite insensible. Look at him.”
    Nadira tilted her head. Montrose had not moved or touched his wine. She leaned forward and waved a hand before his eyes. There was no response. She heard her host laugh softly.
    “I can see you have not been traveling with them very long or you would know. My lord Montrose has an interesting habit of falling asleep while appearing awake.”
    “Indeed.” Nadira did not dare touch her master, though it was unsettling to see him like that.
    “I believe he learned to do that sitting through his father’s lectures, and the old man’s insistence that he attend Mass three times a week.” Beniste smiled sadly and took her hand. “Where did he find you, may I ask?”
    Nadira held her breath for a moment, unready for that question. She had no idea how it should be answered, but this was not the time for the truth.
    Beniste squeezed her hand, “I see.” He sounded amused.
    Nadira felt herself blush. “My lord, I am Lord Montrose’s servant and nothing more.”
    The older man released her hand. He sat back and his mouth twitched as he spoke. “You do not have the demeanor of a servant. Your speech is too fine,” he argued, “and my lord never travels with female servants.”
    Nadira opened her mouth to argue, but Montrose suddenly came to life, shaking the ropes of