Chapter 24
The Wedding
Alienne lay beside Parfyon in bed, fitting perfectly against his chest and under his arm, as though she were created to inhabit that place forever. She breathed softly on his neck, tickling him pleasantly. Her eyelids fluttered occasionally against his skin. It was at once unbearable and wonderful. Parfyon still couldn’t believe his fortune. Yes, she had used him, but she seemed to genuinely like him. Besides, she kept her part of their bargain with much more than mere willingness. She was beautiful, passionate, even a little wild; but she had a quiet grace about her. It was so unexpected that sometimes he didn’t recognize her.
“Why are you not sleeping?” she mumbled, caressing the almost healed stump of his right arm. It never seemed to disgust her, to his amazem
