“I want you back at the manor before nightfall.”
Ceri pouted, and it occurred to Adeline that she was, perhaps, not long past the angst of girlhood - eighteen, or nineteen at most, despite her relative height and grace.
“It’s barely a minute into sunset, Koo.”
“Please,” was all he said, face unmoving.
Ceri rolled her eyes and set the book down on the considerable pile she’d built on the seat of the armchair.
“Let me call you a carriage,” Adeline said, overly bright for the dimming mood. “You can’t carry all these books and the hamper between you.”
Ceri’s eyes shone. “I cantakethe books?”
“Of course! But you’ll have to bring them back when you’re done–mostly so I can recommend another dozen or so to read next.”
Ceri beamed. “We have an agreement.”
“Excellent,” said Kai, dryly.
Adeline excused herself to call for a carriage, glad for a reason to leave the two Merrow to their squabble. When she returned, they were still quietly hissing at each other. Kai said something Adeline didn’t hear, and Ceriwyn scowled and pulled her hood up.
“Happy?”
“Thank you,” he said tightly.
Adeline helped them carry the food, rum and books down to the carriage house, and they bid Ceriwyn goodbye.
Ceri threw her arms around Adeline, almost toppling them both as she squeezed the air from her lungs.
“Ceri, that’s not –”
“Oh shush, Kai, we’re friends now.”
Adeline gasped out a laugh, still crushed within the embrace.
“That we are,” she agreed. “Will I see you at the Mid-Winter Faire?”
Ceri’s smile when she pulled back was glowing.
“I’ll be there,” she said, at the same time as Kai said: “She can’t attend.”
“I can and I will,” said Ceri, eyes flashing dangerously. “I’m a grown woman, Koo.
“Barely.”
“And besides,” she went on, as though he hadn’t spoken. “The Marchioness speaks of little else. Theentirehousehold is attending, and it would seem I’m part of the Marquess’s household now, aren’t I?”
When Kai said nothing to contradict her, some of the frost melted from Ceri’s glare, and she dragged him into a hug too. He sighed, but wrapped his arms around her back and squeezed just as hard.
“Be safe, Ceri,” he said softly.
“I’m not going into battle, Koo, I’m going to sit in a manor and read some books.”
“I mean... in general. Be safe. No more spontaneous visits. No spur of the moment adventures.”
Ceri made a face, but said; “Fine. I promise.”
Adeline pretended not to notice the two fingers crossed behind her back as Kai turned to open the carriage door. With a final wave, Ceri hopped into the cabin and they watched as the driver snapped his reins and rolled away from the carriage house. The sun was setting, casting the thickly blanketed grounds in a shimmering bronze glow. The usual bustle of the palace had slowed as staff and Gards went home to their families, or to the kitchens for their supper, and the silence between the Princess and the King was broken only by the muffled crunch of the horses trotting across the snow toward the darkening horizon.
