I grinned, captivated by her progress. This was nothing like climbing in Port Siren. The longer one’s fingers gripped the stone, the colder and stiffer they became, weakening the grip. The height wasn’t daunting, though a fall would shatter a few bones.
“Ha!” She slapped a hand on the railing.
I laughed, grabbing hold of her to help haul her over. She landed with a bounce in her step. Her eyes flicked to Anderz before settling on me, then dropped to my dress. Without waiting for her comment, I enveloped her in a fierce hug. She wheezed in complaint, but wrapped her arms around me just the same.
“What are you doing here? I didn’t think you’d come!”
I held her at arm’s length, taking her in. She wore ratty trousers and a tattered shirt, with what seemed like an overskirt tied about her waist, the fabric worn and frayed.
“Such little faith,” she chided, picking at my fur-lined cloak. “Look at this! Such finery!”
“There’s a whole room of dresses!”
Her eyes widened, lit with excitement. “No!”
I never kept my true identity a secret from Lyana and Ethyan, and they never gave a flying turd about it. She, ever the supportive soul, never wavered whenever I mentioned Wynterborne, even though my heart never harbored a desire to return. Her acceptance of that truth solidified our bond. Ethyan, bound by sibling loyalty, followed his sister’s lead without question.
I turned my beaming smile to the counselor. “Anderz, I would like to retire to my quarters.”
His sharp eyes darted to Lyana and back to me with a slight dip of his head. “Of course, Princess. Would you like a room made up in your wing for… Lyana, was it?”
“Lyana of Port Cara, at your service.” She gave a playful attempt at a curtsy and peeked up at him from beneath her lashes, a sly smirk dancing on her cheek.
His smile mirrored hers. “A door with a lock, no doubt.”
“A lock? How horrible!” She clapped a hand over her heart, feigning distress. “I should fear for my life!”
“We should fear for our valuables.”
We followed Anderz, laughter bubbling between us. His grasp of Common Muik shouldn’t have surprised me—he seemed to know everything. Yet, the warmth that filled me when he understood her words was undeniable.
Lyana recounted the dreadful journey, painting vivid pictures of Grimm’s thunderous snoring and Urien’s awful jokes. As we strolled to my quarters, Anderz departed to make preparations, leaving us to converse freely.
We talked until the sun dipped below the horizon. For the first time, I found contentment without Sainte by my side. Lyana, smelling of horse and sweat, brought a sense of familiarity that this frigid castle lacked since my arrival.
With Lyana, Ethyan, and Sainte here, Wynterborne almost felt like home.
Chapter 14
Ikept a careful eye on Adastrus, positioning myself between Lyana and his intent gaze. She evaded his presence for three days, claiming fatigue from her journey. But now, she had no excuse to refuse his royal summons to dine with him.
Clack, clack, clack.
His lifeless fingers drummed against the table, each tap echoing through the tense silence.
My worried glance found Anderz, who conversed with another noble across the way. He gave a slight nod, lowered his goblet to respond to their remark, then turned his attention back to them.
Clearly, he was no help.
I still hadn’t gained any new allies at the high court’s evening table. A nobleman to my left griped about western trade, lamenting that our borders were too tight, stifling the flow of goods.
What was I supposed to say to that?
“You weren’t kidding,” Lyana whispered, stealing a glance around me to peer at Adastrus. “The way he taps those…things,it’s unnerving.”
Clack, clack, clack.
I shifted in my seat, once again putting myself between their gazes. My brother was usually cool and aloof, content to let me sit in peace at the opposite end with the lower nobles. Even Anderz sat closer to Adastrus than I did. I settled in, placing my napkin in my lap, ready for the final course. After poking around the last dish, we could retire to the safety of our rooms.
