“I have to go right away,” I said, turning to her.
She nodded, as if she were a puppet controlled by unseen strings. “Safe travels.”
Ethyan offered an apologetic smile with a shake of his head. He wouldn’t leave his sister even if the sun itself tried to separate them.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I whispered, stealing a glance at Adastrus. He sat upright, his attention fixed on us, heedless of the distraught noble at his feet who wailed and pleaded.
Something about sheep.
Lyana’s response was a noncommittal hum, a clear indicator of her distressed state. I didn’t want to risk her safety by lingering in this room. I stood and took my leave with Sainte close behind. As we rounded the corner, tears welled, blurring my vision.
“Urien will watch over them?”
“Aye.” A slight wrinkle of a frown formed between his brows as he met my gaze. “He will keep them safe.”
With a deep breath, I tried to compose myself. We faced far worse scrapes and pulled through.
But we always survived themtogether.
I drew strength from Sainte’s nod of encouragement, then turned on my heel and strode down the corridor with renewed purpose. I knew my way around these halls now—almost as if it were home.
Unable to sleep, I tossed and turned.
It wasn’t the bed. It was actually quite comfortable—a blend of feathers and straw—closer to what I slept on my whole life, unlike the plush pads in the castle. My mind just wouldn’t be quiet.
Doubt crept in like tendrils of mist. Was I even capable of challenging King Reid over the death of an ambassador?
No member of Wynterborne’s high court should ever fear for their lives. They were kin, part of our blood. They deserved our unwavering protection, and when that wasn’t an option, then our vengeance.
“Do you know if Piers had a family?” I whispered into the darkness.
“His mother is still living,” Sainte said.
“Is she cared for? Now that her son is gone, will she inherit his wages?” I asked, blinking at the dark ceiling.
The windowless room swallowed any hint of light. Despite the modest surroundings, the inn provided a welcome reprieve after two grueling days on the road.
“Piers came from the line of Gortyte, a noble family. She will manage well until the Veil calls to her.”
I huffed and rolled onto my side, the rough blanket scratching against my skin.
It still didn't feel right.
“Sleep, Elspeth.”
“I can’t,” I whispered.
My mind raced, tangled with questions. Why did King Reid blame Piers? If he needed a scapegoat for his daughter, surely his court offered better choices, ones that wouldn’t offend a neighboring nation.
Sainte groaned from his place on the floor, followed by a scuffle.
“I’m sorry. I told you to ask for a cot. If you want—oof!”
A strong hand nudged me aside, and I yelped, wriggling to the edge of the mattress. The bed dipped under his weight, rolling my body toward his. He pulled me against his chest, and his warmth seeped through my nightgown. His scent—a mix of earth and leather—filled my senses.
“What are you doing?!” I hissed.
“When you can’t sleep, you lay with Lyana.” His deep voice rumbled, the vibrations tickling my back.
