Read All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) for Free Online Page B

crystal. She would never tell anyone how much it cost, but mother says that since then she hasn't seen the diamond and emerald brooch that was Sahrena's favorite."
    They were both quiet for a moment, then Stavin reached over and touched her hand. "I have dreamed of this moment, but now that it's here I don't know what to do."
    Sharindis smiled gently at that admission. "Mothers teach their daughters the bedroom mysteries. I'll show you tonight."
    Stavin blushed bright red and was both relieved and disappointed that she couldn't see it. "I—I didn't mean that , Shari," he stammered. "I meant I dreamed of the day when the past didn't matter and I was accepted as a man and—"
    "The past always matters, Stavin. Who you are today is a reflection of who you were yesterday and all of the days that went before, just as who you will become tomorrow will be a reflection of who you are today."
    A knock at the bedroom door interrupted their conversation. Stavin said, "Come in." Dorvina led the way with a large basket of clothes in her arms, and Sahrena was close on her heels with another. Karvik and Zahrinis brought up the rear with a large wooden trunk.
    "We brought all of your things, Mistress Shari," Dorvina said as she moved toward the wardrobe next to the dressing table.
    "Your mother is in a dither," Sahrena continued as she set her burden down beside Dorvina's. "Your father had just told her when we arrived. She's laughing and crying at the same time, and your little brother wanted to come with us to try out his new brother-in-law's golden Dragon's Tongue. I convinced him to give you a day or two."
    "Where do you want your trunk, Mistress Shari?" Karvik asked.
    "At the end of the bed, please," Shari replied, standing and using her staff to feel her way toward where she could hear Sahrena and Dorvina. "I'll put my own clothes away, Mi—Sahrena. That way I'll know where everything is."
    "As you wish, Mistress Sharindis," Sahrena said with a hint of humor. "While you do, the girls and I will prepare the evening meal."
    Sharindis nodded, and began sorting her clothes. When the door closed, she paused and said, "Stavin, will you help me, please?"
    Stavin was up and at her side in an instant. "What do you need me to do?" he asked.
    Sharindis was holding up a blouse and asked, "What color is this?"
    The two continued sorting and storing Sharindis' clothes. It took a long time and they were not quite done when there was another knock at the door.
    "Yes?" Sharindis answered loudly.
    "The evening meal awaits you, Master and Mistress," Zahrinis' voice called through the wood.
    Stavin's stomach answered with a growl that made Sharindis laugh. "We'll be right there, Zahri," she shouted and they headed for the door.
    They arrived at the table to find the chairs rearranged. The three children were on one side and Barvil and Sahrena were on the other. This put Barvil at Stavin's right hand, but kept Dorvina at Sharindis' right, which meant that she still had to serve.
    After the blessing, Sharindis felt Sahrena's toe nudge her foot and remembered her duty. "Dorvina, you may begin."
    The meal was special and Sahrena had outdone herself—and Stavin could hardly have cared less. The true meaning of the day's events was finally becoming real to him and he was completely stunned. All he could do was look at the woman at the other end of the table with wonder and awe.
    It was late by the time they had finished eating, and he led Sharindis back to their suite. Zahrinis brought two pitchers of hot water from the kitchen, and they both washed thoroughly before they went to bed. They had their backs to one another, and Stavin was continually being distracted by the little sounds that Sharindis was making, and especially by her occasional giggles. For reasons that he didn't want to examine too closely, he dawdled until he heard her get into bed. Then he extinguished the lamp on his bedside table and hurried into bed.
    The only light came from the fire in