The Pirate and the Amber Cat 33

Chapter 33

Suili faces Juriz’s return.

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Juriz returned three days later.

In that time Suili adjusted to life in the valley again. Except for Maren, the only other familiar face was the old head stableman who had been part of Juriz's company. He had been genuinely thrilled to see her, and she was happy of at least one truly friendly greeting. The other members of Juriz's entourage were guards, personal attendants and a few close friends who had been guests at the house. Most of the attendants were now absent, with Juriz in Mezpar, Maren had told her.

The whole courtyard was clean, freshly whitewashed after Cortleno's attack. The hedge maze showed little damage, she decided, and just looking at the foliage renewed memories of that day. Every statue, both inside the house and in the gardens, every tapestry, window lattice and even bed sheet damaged had been replaced, every wall scrubbed and painted. Oddly, some of the rooms in the east wing still smelled of smoke, she noticed, and upon further investigation she learned that very little had been repaired. The east wing was to become their shared rooms upon marriage, and she found it curious that so much was yet to be done.

Of course, Maren had an excuse ready when she asked about it, claiming that Juriz wanted Suili to oversee the renovation to fit her designs.

She didn't believe him, knowing the rooms were left undone because they knew she wasn't coming back and there would be no marriage. This news only spiked her indignation, but she told Maren that it was a thoughtful gesture.

All the servants were new and Suili was met by sly glances and outright stares of curiosity. She wondered what they had heard of her, but did not ask. She was mistress of the house, and didn't need to court their approval. She kept a careful cordiality with her two most personal maids, however, hoping their gossip would feed her ears rather than fuel their tongues. She could only imagine the stories that would grow from the grains of truth that inevitably fall about the raid.

The morning after her return Suili obliged the dressmaker and was fitted for three dresses before tiring of the woman's shrill and endless chatter. She was eager to visit the stables, but disappointed to find her favorite mount gone and all new horses. Cortleno's men had scattered all the livestock to the point of even chasing them into the moat. Her eyes narrowed as she looked over the horses in the paddock. Juriz had wasted no time replenishing the stables, and she wondered if he had saw to that task before meeting Cortleno in Leneau. In an effort to keep a memory alive, she declined the stableman's choice of a bay mare and chose a leggy, spirited silver-gray gelding to be saddled.

Her solitary rides into the back of the Shaenen estate brought objections from Maren, but Suili laughed off his concern, telling him she was hungry to see land again. Maren humored her when she didn't give in to his suggestion of an escort, aware this was not the same yielding girl Juriz would remember. Nor did he know that beneath the simple skirts she wore, two necklaces and an amber cat were tied out of sight.

Suili learned of Juriz's return by the great commotion of servants in the hall late that afternoon. She heard Maren's hushed tones as he greeted the house's master and she moved quickly and quietly from the patio to the adjoining room. There she could hear more of their hasty whispering.

"Here?" Juriz's disbelief was unconcealed.

"Yes. Three days ago. She escaped, Juriz," Maren relayed lowly. "I told her you took twenty men to look for her on the Mezpar blocks, that D'Arkaise wouldn't negotiate in Cold Rock."

"Good thinking, Maren. But the Lady Shaenen—"