Page 69 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

‘Are you moving?’ I could sense which direction he was in, but because the distance wasn’t great, and the maze twisted and turned, it was difficult to tell if he drew closer.

‘Soon. The king insists that he knows a path through the hedges that will help us find the center faster—but we have to stay behind a few minutes so others won’t figure out that he cheats.’

I almost snorted. ‘I don’t know if we’re at the center, but I’m staying here. You can follow the bond and find me.’

Then I smiled at Faye. “You go, Lady Faye. Find your refreshment. Grace and I will stay here and wait.”

It was the first time I’d seen Faye truly annoyed. She planted her fists on her hips and frowned. But before she could speak, a cluster of women appeared at the other end of the little area and called out.

“We must wait here for the General to find Brennan and steal a kiss!”

“Or perhaps one of her other admirers—and the General will find him.”

I rolled my eyes, playing off their taunts as I’d seen them do with each other, but a small knot of nerves burst in my chest. I didn’t know if Ruin and Hanson were here—we’d been held back to ride near the royals. Many carriages had gone ahead of us.

“The only person catching me is a servant with a good sandwich,” I said to deflect the taunts. Lady Faye shrieked with laughter far too strong for the mild joke, but it got the women talking, so I could pull Grace with me to sit on the benches a little bit away from the others. “Let the men find them when they get here,” I whispered to her.

She laughed, but nodded and hugged my arm, following me.

And so, we sat and spent a pleasant half hour watching the other women titter and peck at each other like birds. Some came to sit with us for a time, and others drifted away. Slowly numbers dwindled, until finally we were alone.

Grace sat on the bench next to me, watching the stars twinkle, or turning to look with a hesitant smile when bursts of laughter or voices came from elsewhere in the maze.

“I don’t think we need to worry about being accosted,” I said when she looked nervously towards some shrieking. “I think the ladies are playing the game.”

She nodded slowly, biting her lip. “I’m certain if anyone were to… conduct himself without utmost manners, your General would teach him his error,” she responded quietly. To my surprise, she looked wistful.

I warmed at the thought—because it was true, and I knew it. But tipped my head at Grace.

“You know… if you want a General of your own… I’m certain you could find one.”

She looked down at her hands in her lap and shrugged. “My life is very different to yours, Bren,” she said quietly, that small yearning still evident in her tone. “I am… Well, let us say, these weeks of the festival are likely to be the last I’ll enjoy this much freedom. It’s why I’m here. A final hurrah, I suppose.”

I frowned. “You won’t be free after this?”

She shook her head.

“Why not?”

Her eyes rose to the tree nearby and I had the distinct impression she was considering whether to answer me honestly.

I scooted a little closer to her on the bench and dropped my tone. Either Grace was, as I suspected, a lovely woman I could be dear friends with, or she was someone who’d been placed here with a purpose. Either way, I wanted to hear what she had to say. I just prayed she’d be revealed as the former.

“Grace, I know we haven’t known each other long. But I like you. And… well, I know you’re right that our lives are very different. But they are both ruled by men, are they not? Only in different ways?”

Grace gave a little huff. “I would choose your way if I could.”

I grimaced. “I don’t know that you would—”

“I was supposed to marry a man,” she blurted suddenly, her eyes still fixed on the tree, but her body now stiff as if she feared a blow was forthcoming. “I was supposed to marry a… a friend of my father’s. He’s very wealthy, and he would take good care of me and any children we were blessed to have. But he was… he is…”

My head buzzed at the sudden tension in her. “What?” I breathed. “What is he?”

Grace took a deep breath and turned to face me. “He’s old. My parents were old to have me. He is… he has gray hair and he doesn’t ride much anymore because his body aches.”

My head jerked back. “Why?” I breathed. “Why would you marry a man like that? Surely there are young Lords who—”

“I told you, Bren. I’m not like you. I’m not… what a noblewoman is supposed to be. Not in Fyrehold, at least,” she said with a wince.