Page 35 of Veil of Winter

A heaviness entered her chest at the thought of him leaving, of never seeing him again. She would certainly never forget himand all that he had done for her. She should think of a gift to give him for his service to her.

“Are you well?”

Sir Gerard’s whisper startled her, causing her to suck in a loud breath.

“Yes,” she whispered back. How long had he been awake? He couldn’t hear her thoughts, certainly, so why was her heart beating so hard against her ribs?

“Warm, then?”

“Yes, thank you. And you?”

“I am. I believe it’s almost dawn.”

The sky was lighter than it had been when she awakened.

“I want to thank you for saving me yesterday,” she said as quietly as she could. “I would have drowned.”

“I’m glad I was able to get you out.”

“Thank you. You are very brave.”

In the predawn light, she could just make out his face, faintly in shadow.

“It is my duty. And... I never could have forgiven myself if I’d let you drown.”

Her heart skipped a few beats. His voice was so raspy, but maybe that was because he was whispering. He didn’t mean that he cared for her. He simply would have been embarrassed at his failure to protect a princess. As a knight. And as a man. But his words, she could not deny, made her feel warm inside.

“Time to go,” Bertold said, bolting up off the ground and taking the furs with him.

Sir Gerard gave her a boyish smile—how was it that she couldso easily picture him as a young boy when he was so manly?—and jumped up as well, starting to roll up the furs and blankets.

“Are you well?” Ysa asked.

“I am quite well.”

“No ill effects from falling into the water?”

“No, I feel very well. And you? Did you sleep well?”

“Very well.”

Sir Oswalt was just sitting up. He glanced at Ysa and then stood up, moving slowly, his usual pace.

When he went to tend the horses, Elyce leaned over and whispered, “He did not do anything he shouldn’t, did he?”

“Not at all.”

“Are you certain? He did not do anything untoward?”

“No, no.” Ysa shook her head. “He behaved just as a noble knight should. Nothing untoward.”

Elyce was glad. She felt very protective toward Ysa.

“Sir Gerard behaved well also. And now we had better be off before Bertold scolds us again.”

As they gathered the rest of their things, Elyce said a silent prayer of gratitude for God’s protection. She thought of the words her priest had said to her the last time she talked with him: “God is watching over you.”

She knew that was true, for the Holy Writ said as much, but there had been times she couldn’t help but wonder. For instance, why had God allowed her mother to die so young? And why was King Claude allowed to oppress his own people, and was already oppressing Elyce’s people?