Chapter Seven: Black Widow
Rosey tensed as the Black Widows examined her webs. She had done her best. Now, all she could do was hope it was good enough.
She glanced at the closed door. Before she had entered with the Black Widows, Devon had kissed her cheek. She smiled as she remembered the puzzlement that had appeared in Andy's eyes. Her brother was an Opal Jeweled Prince, the lowest SaDiablo living. Her little sister Aileen had just had her Birthright Ceremony and was a Sapphire Jeweled Healer. Rosey wondered what Jewel Aileen would get when she made the Offering to the Darkness.
"Tersa, this is an exceptional Tangled Web," the oldest Black Widow, a woman with Green Jewels, said suddenly. Rosey jerked and managed to smile.
"Really?"
"Yes. I am not surprised, considering who your family is, but even so…" she smiled and looked at her Sisters. They all nodded. The Black Widow smiled. "After watching you perform everything, we have looked over our notes and decided that you have shown remarkable talent as a Black Widow. Therefore, we are pleased to present you with your hourglass." She held up a tiny, golden hourglass with the sand sealed at the bottom. Rosey gasped and hesitantly took it from the Black Widow.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"It is custom for your parents or someone special to you to place the hourglass in your Jewel necklace," the Green witch said. Rosey nodded.
Rosey pushed the doors open. Immediately her family converged on her. Devon took her arm to hold her steady, for she was slightly off balance.
"Well, how did it go?" Lucivar asked. Rosey opened her hand and showed them the hourglass. Andy and her cousins whooped. Devon put his arms around her and hugged her.
"Congratulations, Rosey," Jaenelle said, her eyes wet. Daemon waited for Devon to let her go and gave her a hug.
"Good job sweetie."
"Who gets to put it in your necklace?" Andy demanded. Rosey smiled and handed the hourglass to Devon.
"Why, Devon of course."
Devon carefully attached the golden hourglass to her necklace. He smiled and kissed her cheek.
"It looks perfect," he said. Daemonar rolled his eyes.
"Okay, okay, lover boy. Let the rest of us congratulate her."
Devon growled at the Eyrien. He let the others congratulate her, but he stayed close by her side. At dinner, he sat by her side and served her. Daemon and Jaenelle kept an eye on the couple, but Devon conducted himself like a true Warlord Prince, though inside he was a jumble of emotions.
"Now that Rosey is a Black Widow, is she going to have her Virgin Night soon?" Lucivar asked over dessert. Rosey choked on her wine. Devon turned away and coughed into his napkin. Jaenelle and Daemon had to cover their faces to hide their mixed reactions. Lucivar looked smug at the reactions.
"We haven't talked about it," Daemon said evenly. Jaenelle looked at her daughter, whose face was as red as her Jewels.
"I think you had better start thinking about it, brother," Lucivar replied. Rosey stood and excused herself from the table. Devon hurried after her.
"I can't believe Uncle Lucivar said that!" Rosey exclaimed when they were away from the dining room and sitting in the garden, under an oak tree. Devon smiled.
"What do you think they will decide?" he asked softly. Rosey frowned.
"I don't know. But I do know that I am allowed to choose the man, right?" She held his gaze and he nodded.
"Yes…"
"Well, then we don't have to worry about that, do we?" she said, closing the subject. She looked at the night shadowed fountains and smiled.
"I love the gardens at night. It is so relaxing to listen to the water and smell the flowers." She leaned against Devon and closed her eyes. Devon put his arms around her and held her as she fell asleep.
When Daemon found them later, Devon had fallen asleep as well, leaning against the tree, Rosey, still fast asleep, with her head resting on his chest. Daemon smiled and placed a shield around them. He silently left the garden and returned to the Hall and his Lady.
