Page 56 of A Lie so Pretty and Poisonous

“Your daughter, where is she now?” Justinia asked.

“At the castle with the prince and princess. The Queen has graciously allowed her to do schooling and activities with the royal younglings.” I caught them briefly looking at each other, a subtle but silent conversation. My brows pulled together. “Is something wrong?”

Amos’ eyes lifted over my shoulder.

“Da,” a deep voice called from behind me.

Amos moved to Darragh, clasping forearms and bringing their foreheads together in greeting. A fresh set of dark clothes dressed Darragh’s mountainous frame. He rolled the sleeves of his tunic up his forearms, revealing his tattoos. Relaxed yet intimidating.

“I’ve missed you, Son.” Amos flicked his hand at me. “We were just hearing Rory’s story about how she got here. Justinia said you were attacked, too?”

I averted my eyes to the floor. The event was so fresh and raw that I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it just yet. “That’s right.”

Darragh took a step to my side. “Mom, Da, thanks for letting us rest and clean up, but we have to get back to the castle.”

Justinia stood. Tears rimmed her lash line. “But you just got here.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I have to get Rory back, so they don’t ask questions. I am not supposed to have her outside of the city walls.” Darragh palmed the back of his neck with the admission. He looked to his mother with a tight smile and soft eyes.

“Then you must go. I don’t want anyone in trouble, either of you.” Amos pointedly looked at Darragh.

Justinia wrapped Darragh in a hug, her head resting on his chest. “Stop staying away for so long.”

Darragh gave her a gentle squeeze. “I know.”

She let go and pulled me into her arms. I was taken aback but melted into her. I needed that hug more than she knew. Arms that carried safety and warmth. She pulled back and took my hands in hers. “I hope to see you again.”

With a few more goodbyes, hugs, and Darragh promising to visit more often, we were back on our way to the castle. Back to his thighs and arms encompassing me in the saddle. His clove scent mixed with the smell of citrus and lavender soap. I pushed the image of him in the towel out of my mind.

I fidgeted with Astorath’s mane, making small braids to keep my hands and mind busy. “Do you keep clothes at your parents’ home or are these from your youth?” I asked.

“Are you calling me old, my lady?” I playfully elbowed his stomach, rendering a deep chuckle from him. “Yes,” he answered. “I keep a couple of sets of clothes there. Just for such cases as today.”

“So, your parents, they know that you⁠—”

“Kill people who deserve it?” He sighed. “They know that I do what I have to do to keep others safe. That I do things out of necessity, not enjoyment.”

“You are lucky,” I stated wistfully.

“In what way?” His warm breath grazed my ear.

“Your parents are so kind. Supportive. I can tell how much they love you.”

“Isn’t that what parents are supposed to do? Love their younglings?”

“Supposed to? Yes.” I dropped the last braid I put into Astorath’s mane. “Not all parents love without conditions, though.”

A pensive silence passed between us.

“Your parents are fools,” he said softly. “You said you don’t claim your nobility?”

“Yes. I have been a thorn in my mother’s side all my life,” I huffed out a humorless breath. “Always questioning. Always pushing back. I have never liked living the life of a noble inside a gilded cage. I ran from that life four years ago so that my daughter didn’t have to face the same life.”

He leaned down closer to my ear. “You’re a good mother.” I couldn’t stifle the shiver that passed through me that time, and I honestly didn’t care.

Such a simple thing to say, but so powerful. To see in me what I worked so hard to become meant a lot, though I questioned my decisions as a mother often. Always worried I would end up like her.

Darkness crept in. The cloud coverage made it seem later than it was, creating a sense of urgency to get back to the castle before anyone asked questions. Darragh nudged Astorath to quicken, and we shot through forest-lined paths and overgrown meadows until the city finally came into view. Faint glowing twinkles of lamplight illuminated the path to the castle.