The room was cool and dark. Both dogs were sprawled on the rug next to the bed, giving the occasional soft snort.
The little lantern sat at her bedside. She’d left the shutter open slightly, and the dim light was just enough for her to see by.
The bed was comfortable, the blankets warm. She wasn’t hungry, frightened, or hiding in a ditch. She just couldn’t sleep.
And when she closed her eyes, all she saw was Verice.
She shifted on to her back, and huffed out a breath as she stared at the timbers over her head. She’d imagined it, of course. Verice was a Lord High Baron, so far above her station as to be...not to mention being an elven lord. What was she thinking?
Warna huffed again. Well, pretty clearly, she wasn’t thinking, at least not with her brain.
Her mother had warned her that the spirit might be wary and careful, but the body had its own ideas sometimes. “Nothing wrong with looking,” she’d said. “just don’t act on those thoughts.”
Your life is your own, Warna.”Kalynn’s voice floated through her mind.
Warna caught her breath.
Then she snorted at her foolishness, shifted on to her side, and thumped her pillow into shape. One of the dogs started and raised its head to look at her. Finding nothing amiss, it yawned and returned to sleep.
Warna hugged her pillow. She was reading too much into a glance. Verice had been kind, had extended his protections to her, given her food and shelter and work. Nothing more than that, and she would not interpret his kindness as some sort of interest. She owed him more than that disrespect.
Lord High Baron Verice was a man caught in his sorrow and grief. The fact that he was reaching out to her; was letting her take actions he himself couldn’t bring himself to take, was a matter of trust. Spoken or unspoken, she’d not take advantage of him.
She closed her eyes firmly, and tried to avoid thinking about elven eyes that burned silver-blue. She thought about dust, and soap, and stocking the shelves and cupboards of the healer’s house.
But her last conscious thought was how terrible it would be...if the one thing she wanted was the one thing she couldn’t have.
Chapter Twenty-Three
In the morning, Warna delayed going down to breakfast until the dogs were whining at the door, staring at her over their shoulders. “Sorry, boys,” she whispered as she opened the latch.
Verice and his men had already departed the castle, which had been her intent. Still, she felt oddly disappointed as she slipped into the dining area and managed to snag a bowl of porridge and a mug of kav. The cooks had scraps waiting for the dogs.
“Aye, he’s off,” one of the cooks told her. “Said he’d be later this night getting back.”
Warna shrugged her agreement, but couldn’t help worrying that he might run into fighting on his travels. Still, his absence suited her plans. Warna drained her mug with thanks, and headed for the QuarterMaster’s offices. Outside were three carts, filled with casks and duns of ale and beer.
Inside, was complete chaos.
“I tell you, the account is overdue.” A rather large man of decidedly more girth than height filled the small area in front of the high counters. He carried with him the scent of yeast and hops. His face was set and he was clearly determined to be heard. “I’ll have it paid this day, or know why.”
“And I’m telling you, it’s been paid.” Quartermaster Farnor snapped. “But we can’t find the reckoning. If you’ll have a bit a patience—”
“That’s what ya said the last time and the time afore.” The man rumbled. “I’ve no mind to run a credit until you’re—”
Warna slipped in and pulled the door closed behind her.
The big man turned and frowned. “Who’s this, then?”
“M’lady,” Farnor started, but Warna forestalled him.
“I’m Warna of Farentell.” She smiled at the man. “Are you the brewer of that fine ale we’ve been drinking?”
The man blinked in surprise. “Aye, aye, although I’d naught know’ed the army was taking women into its ranks.”
“It’s not, Pierson, you daft fool,” Farnor snapped. “The lady is here under the Lord’s protection.”
“The same as what rode through town with him the other day?” Pierson was giving Warna the once over, and she couldn’t help but notice his eyes flick to her ears. “Well, then, pleased ta meet ya, lady.”
