Ricard interrupted his thoughts. “If the Lady Warna wants to talk,” he said, “best be about it.”
Verice nodded, and rose from his table. But not before he tucked the note into safe-keeping.
He schooled himself on the walk from the barracks, nodding greetings to all. There were many knowledgeable looks and smiles, so the word must have spread that the healers had released Warna from their care.
He entered the keep from one of the smaller doors, not really ready to trod the main staircase, but the lit hallways and buzz from the various rooms and offices didn’t cause any pain. Maybe because he was more intent on seeing Warna, than anything else.
He allowed himself to mount the steps two at a time, and paused at the door just long enough to catch his breath.
He knocked.
“Come in.,” Warna’s voice was strong.
The room was flooded with morning sunlight. Flowers in vases sat on every open surface. Even though there were chairs by the hearth, Warna sat at the end of the bed, her hair flowing down her back, dressed in one of her light gray dresses. She was smiling, her brown eyes clear and bright.
She was alone.
Verice closed the door. “Good morning,” he said.
“Good morning,” Warna answered. “Dominic and Evelyn have released me from their care. I’m free.”
“That’s well, then,” Verice stood there, feeling awkward and rather stupid.
“Verice,” Warna caught his gaze, her eyes warm and intent, “I know what I want now.” She lifted her head, glowing with confidence and strength. “With my life, I mean. At least, for the next month or so.”
His mouth went suddenly dry. “What?”
“I’ll tell you,” she said abruptly. “But right now, I want the sun on my face and the wind in my hair. Let’s go walk in the gardens.”
Chapter Fifty-One
To Warna’s delight, Verice extended his hand without hesitation. “As you wish,” he said. “But you may not find it as easy as you think to get to the gardens.”
“Why so?” she asked.
Her answer came when he opened the door. “Because I will have competition for your attentions,” he whispered. The corridor was filled with people cleaning, all turning towards them with smiles on their faces.
“Oh.” She hesitated, feeling the heat on her cheeks. “I don’t suppose—”
“No.” Verice escorted her through the door, and extended his arm again. He lowered his head to her ear. “We can’t go another way.”
Warna sighed, and returned all the smiles and greetings as they walked along the corridors and down the various staircases.
Out in the courtyard, it wasn’t so bad. Most people hung from windows, waving kerchiefs, but those in the yard itself didn’t crowd all around them. Warna felt warmed by the greetings, and by the sun on her face. It felt good to be up and about.
The constable crossed the yard to greet her, along with Verice’s dogs. “It’s good to see your smile, m’lady.”
“Thank you. Ricard.” Warna smiled back. “I’m going to walk in the gardens for a bit,” she explained as the dogs milled about their legs, looking for attention.
“Mind the rantha thorns,” Ricard warned. “There’s been no gardeners out there, m’lord, and they’ve probably overrun the paths.”
“We’ll have a care,” Verice said. “I’m not going to let her go far, trust me.”
Ricard stepped to the small door in the castle wall, throwing back the locks and releasing the latches.
“You might have Ersal send word to the gardeners,” Warna said innocently. “So that they can get to work trimming things back.”
“They’re already at work in the kitchen gardens.” Verice gave her a wry look. “Apparently when I opened the keep, that was interpreted as a general invitation for everyone to return.” He gave Ricard a raised eyebrow. “I wonder where my people learned that ploy.”
