“I thought I’d offer to escort you back to the palace. Whenever you’re ready, of course.”
She almost inhaled her next sip, and spluttered into her tankard while Ceri helpfully thumped her back.
Daughters save me, what is happening?
“Erm, well,” she finally choked out, wiping a drop of cider from her chin as daintily as she could. “I was actually planning on heading home tonight, but–”
“You don’t live at the palace?” Ceri chimed in.
“It feels like it sometimes,” Adeline said, just a shade ruefully. “But no, I have an apartment in the city.”
Ceri’s eyes went wide. “All to yourself?”
Something about the plain longing in her tone pulled Adeline up short. An apartment all to herself, sitting empty half the time. She met Kai’s eye, and something clicked.
This was the answer.
He’d wanted Ceri safe, and out from under the nose of the Queen’s Gard. Ceri wanted her space - from everyone apart from, perhaps, Mister Flurry.
Adeline grabbed the girl’s hand.
“You should stay there!”
When Adeline glanced his way, Kai frowned, and opened his mouth as if to protest – but Ceri cut across him, tugging Adeline’s hand to draw her attention back, her voice pitching excitedly.
“Could I really? Mother above, I’mdreadingthe ride back to the manor after all this cider.”
“No, I mean, you shouldtakethe apartment, for as long as you need. The Marquess and his wife are a host family, aren’t they? So why don’t I host you instead? I have my rooms at the palace, and I spend most of my time there anyway. You can be closer to Kai, and the library. Lots of books, no more cat hair splinters –”
Ceri squealed. “Adhlas, really?”
She flew sideways at Adeline, almost knocking her into the snow, and then hauling her upright again.
“Really,” Adeline laughed. “Ger has my spare key, get him to show you the way when he leaves for the barracks.”
“So Icanstay tonight then?”
Adeline stole a glance at Kai, who had watched this plan unfold between them with an almost unreadable expression.
“Yes,” she said. “Of course you can. I’ll stay at the palace.”
Kai got to his feet, that unreadable look lifting into the slightest smile.
“Well, the offer stands. If you’re ready.”
Faint amusement danced like the flickering of the fire in his eyes, but he said nothing more–just held out a hand. Adeline spared a quick glance at Ceri, whose lips were tugging up reluctantly.
“Go on. I’ll just have to bore Al and Os with my cat stories.”
Somehow Adeline didn’t think Alun would mind. She grinned, planted a quick peck on Ceriwyn’s cheek, waved to Ger where he stood at the copper pot, and let Kai guide her away through the trees.
Chapter 30
Adeline
They walked in charged silence.
A light snow had fallen earlier in the evening, and the path through the forest was crisp white and untouched. The glass lanterns had frosted over in the cold night air, their glow softened and spread like melted butter. Adeline hugged her arms around herself, teeth chattering.
