Chapter Twelve
Floriandidn’tthinktheWinterCourtwouldeverreallyfeellikehome.Notforlackoftrying,ofcourse.Everyfaethathesawwasperfectlypleasanttohim,andhisauntTatianawasclearlygladtoseehim;butevenashewalkedthroughthehallsatherside,Kadetrailingbehindatapolitedistance,hefeltmuchmorelikeaguestthanaresident.
“Well, you’ve had a much more eventful few weeks than we have,” Tatiana was telling him with a wry laugh. “It’s been business as usual here, to be honest.”
“That’s good,” Florian said, nodding. “I’m glad that, you know, nothing has been too... weird, I guess. Power vacuums and all that.”
“It helps that everyone knows who you are, now,” she said softly, putting a hand on his shoulder. “It’s good that Jerah introduced you to everyone when he did. Things could have been a lot more tumultuous if he hadn’t.”
He nodded, unsure of how to reply. Tatiana turned her head to look back at Kade.
“And how was everyone back at home, Kade?” she asked.
“Good,” he said, eyes flickering between her and Florian. “My little brother had his first shift. And my dad is doing alright. Hanging in there.”
“That’s good news,” she said, giving Florian a smile. “What did your mother think of Florian? I know she can be a little, hmm... abrasive.”
Florian laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, she was kind of scary at first. But I think she liked me by the end.”
“I think so too,” Kade agreed, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Everyone did.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to settle and unpack,” Tatiana said, as they arrived in the walkway that led to what had once been Jerah’s quarters. She paused, lingering near the stairs as they went on ahead. “Florian, we can meet later this afternoon if you’d like, and let’s plan to have dinner together?”
“Sure,” he agreed with a nod.
Then they were alone in front of the double doors, and with a deep breath Florian reached for the handle and opened the door.
Most of Jerah’s personal belongings had been cleared away. The layout of the room was the same, but the sheets on the bed had been changed to a plain, stark white set, and the wardrobe was mostly empty, save for the few outfits that Florian had acquired during his short time in the Winter Court. There were still the same plants in the windowsill, but most of Jerah’s trinkets and decorations had been taken out. It didn’t really look like Jerah’s room anymore, but it certainly didn’t look or feel like it belonged to Florian, either.
With a sigh he tossed his backpack down onto the ground, Kade following suit and setting down his belongings. He pulled the quiver that contained the Golden Arrow off his back with more care, setting it gingerly on the table; the first Arrow was not in here, but Florian knew that Tatiana had set it on the familiar display stand in what had once been Jerah’s private study. He would have to ask if there were more like it, so the second one could be kept just as carefully.
“Still want to share a bed?” Florian asked, glancing up at Kade, who shot him an uncertain look.
“If you’re okay with it,” he replied.
“Okay, but I thought of something gross you should consider first.”
Kade frowned, confused. “What?”
Florian pointed at the bed. “I was probably conceived there.”
“Florian,” Kade groaned, wrinkling his nose. But Florian laughed, shaking his head.
“Well, maybe not,” he said between chuckles. “The sheets at least are different. I hope the mattress has been replaced since then, too. Sorry. I just thought of it and figured if I had to have that in my brain, so did you.”
“Great,” Kade said wryly, but he smiled as he said it. “I’ll still share a bed with you if you want.”
“Scandalous,” Florian murmured, stepping closer to Kade. “What are we going to tell everyone?”
“That you’re the king, and you can do whatever you want,” Kade replied, his voice just as low.
Florian hesitated. “Do you think Tatiana knows?”
“Probably,” Kade said, shrugging. “She’s pretty... perceptive, more than she seems at first. She didn’t say anything about taking my things to my room or anything. I’m sure she knows.”
“Hmm. I guess you’re probably right,” Florian said. “That’s… weird, I think.”
Kade let out a bark of a laugh. “Not any weirder than my parents. It’s fine. Just means we don’t have to bring it up.”
