Rejected, Replaced and Forgotten novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: The Crowning

I let the question hang over the black water for a long time.

Osian did not shift his weight, or fill the silence, or look away.

He was a very large man standing perfectly still, and it was the most frightening thing I had ever seen him do.

"Ask me again tomorrow," I said.

His face did not change, but I saw him go to stone.

"In the hall. At noon. With every duke in his place and the doors open."

"Why?"

"Because I was refused in front of a ring of torches," I said. "I'd like to say yes the same way."

The stone cracked.

It cracked all the way down.

He laughed, a short helpless sound, and put the back of his wrist against his eyes.

"That's the cruellest thing anyone has ever done to me."

"I know. Wait till you see the second half."

"There's a second half?"

I went up on my toes, and took his beard in my fists, and kissed him until he made the noise.

"I'll say yes at noon," I said against his mouth. "But I'm sleeping in Maud's room tonight."

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